Probate cost · Illinois
Probate cost in Illinois
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Illinois costs about $23,419 to $36,839 for a $500,000 estate. The Circuit Court charges $339 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under 755 ILCS 5/25-1. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $580-$4,000.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Illinois, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $339 | Cook County filing fee. Other counties range from ~$250 to $400. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $80 - $300 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | $200 - $2,500 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $12,500 on $500k | 755 ILCS 5/27-1: reasonable compensation. Practitioners commonly bill 2-3% of the probate estate. |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | 755 ILCS 5/27-2: reasonable fees, typically 2-4% for routine estates. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Illinois across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Illinois has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $9,919 - $17,339 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $23,419 - $36,839 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $45,919 - $69,339 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Illinois
- If the estate is under $100,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Circuit Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $200-$2,500 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Illinois?
Total probate cost in Illinois for a $500,000 estate typically runs $23,419 to $36,839. A $200,000 estate costs about $9,919-$17,339, a $1M estate $45,919-$69,339. Court filing alone is $339.
Who pays probate fees in Illinois?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Circuit Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under 755 ILCS 5/25-1.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($100,000 in Illinois). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Illinois?
755 ILCS 5/27-1: reasonable compensation. Practitioners commonly bill 2-3% of the probate estate.
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Circuit Court at the end, typically 6 months after opening the estate.
Where in Illinois
In Illinois, probate fees are paid at the Circuit Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Cook County
Circuit Court - courthouse in Chicago
- County seat
DuPage County
Circuit Court - courthouse in Wheaton
- County seat
Lake County
Circuit Court - courthouse in Waukegan
Every Illinois county has its own Circuit Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Illinois
Related: Probate in Illinois · Cost calculator · Probate timeline