Illinois Probate: The Basics

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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Jeffrey Johnson

Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

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Reviewed by
Jeffrey Johnson

Updated August 2024

Illinois probate, the laws that deal with the collection and distribution of a dead person’s estate, can seem complex and unapproachable. However, it is possible in many cases to approach Illinois probate yourself. Read on for more information about do-it-yourself Illinois probate.

How to Bypass Illinois Probate

Luckily, some types of property can bypass the Illinois probate process altogether. These include property that is jointly held (co-owned houses, cars, or bank accounts) and contract assets such as IRAs, living trusts, or life insurance policies. Consult with an experienced Illinois probate attorney to discuss the potential tax consequences of planning an estate with non-probate assets.

Additional Illinois Probate Resources:

Illinois Circuit Courts Website

Illinois Probate Code

First Circuit
Second Circuit
Third Circuit
Fourth Circuit
Fifth Circuit
Sixth Circuit
Seventh Circuit
Eighth Circuit
Ninth Circuit
Tenth Circuit
Eleventh Circuit
Twelfth Circuit
Thirteenth Circuit
Fourteenth Circuit
Fifteenth Circuit
Sixteenth Circuit
Seventeenth Circuit
Eighteenth Circuit
Nineteenth Circuit — Probate Court
Twentieth Circuit
Twenty-first Circuit
Twenty-second Circuit
Twenty-third Circuit