Probate & Estate Administration · Illinois
Illinois Probate Guidance When Your Family Needs It Most
Losing a loved one is difficult enough. Navigating Illinois probate court while grieving — managing deadlines, creditor claims, and court filings — shouldn’t fall to you alone. Brad Plaschke guides families through every step with efficiency and care.
What We Do
Understanding the Illinois Probate Process
Time-sensitive: Illinois probate has strict deadlines. An executor has 30 days to file the will with the court. Creditor claim periods run 6 months from the date of death notice. Missing these windows creates serious legal complications — contact Brad promptly after a loved one’s passing.
Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate — paying debts, resolving claims, and transferring assets to heirs. In Illinois, estates with assets over $100,000 (or any real property titled solely in the decedent’s name) typically require formal probate in the county circuit court.
With an Attorney
Court filings are completed correctly and on time. Creditor claims are properly evaluated and disputed where appropriate. Assets are distributed efficiently and the estate is closed without court complications or executor liability.
Without an Attorney
Executors frequently miss filing deadlines, fail to publish proper notice to creditors, distribute assets prematurely (exposing themselves to personal liability), or fail to properly close the estate — leaving it open for years.
"Illinois probate typically takes 12–18 months and costs families $15,000–$40,000 or more in fees for an average estate. An attorney-drafted trust would have avoided all of it — but when probate is unavoidable, experience and efficiency matter enormously."
— Brad Plaschke, Managing Attorney · ARDC #6225854
Probate Services We Provide
Full-Service Estate Administration
01
Estate Opening & Executor Appointment
Petition for probate, will admission, and appointment of executor or administrator. Brad handles all initial court filings and appearances in DuPage, Will, or Cook County.
02
Creditor Notice & Claims
Publication of notice to creditors, review and evaluation of claims, negotiation or dispute of improper claims, and protection of the estate from inflated or invalid creditor demands.
03
Asset Inventory & Management
Identification and valuation of estate assets, management during the probate period, liquidation where appropriate, and coordination with financial institutions and title companies.
04
Distribution & Estate Closing
Final accounting, distribution to beneficiaries, deed transfers for real property, and proper closure of the estate with the court — ensuring the executor is fully discharged from liability.
How It Works
What to Expect in Illinois Probate
01
Weeks 1–4
Filing & Appointment
Brad files the petition, submits the will, and obtains the court’s appointment of executor. Letters of Office are issued — giving the executor legal authority to act.
02
Months 1–6
Notice & Creditor Period
Notice to creditors is published. The 6-month creditor claim period runs. Brad manages claims, disputes invalid ones, and handles estate tax obligations if applicable.
03
Months 6–12
Asset Administration
Estate assets are marshaled, valued, and managed. Real property is sold or transferred. Accounts are consolidated. Final tax returns are prepared and filed.
04
Months 12–18
Distribution & Closing
Final accounting is presented to beneficiaries and the court. Assets are distributed. The estate is formally closed and the executor is discharged from all further obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Illinois estate have to go through probate?
No. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation (life insurance, retirement accounts, POD bank accounts), assets held in joint tenancy, and assets held in a properly funded living trust all avoid probate. Illinois also has a simplified “small estate affidavit” process for estates under $100,000 with no real property. Estates with real estate titled solely in the decedent’s name and/or assets over $100,000 typically require formal probate.
What is an executor's personal liability during probate?
Can beneficiaries contest a will during probate?
What if the decedent had no will (died intestate)?
How much does probate cost in Illinois?
What Naperville Families Say
“Brad guided our family through my mother’s estate with calm and genuine care. He handled every filing, managed a creditor dispute we hadn’t anticipated, and kept us informed throughout. The estate closed in 14 months without a single complication.”
Susan H.
“I was named executor without having any idea what that meant. Brad walked me through every responsibility, protected me from making costly mistakes, and made the entire process manageable. I couldn’t have done it without his guidance.”
Kevin M.
“There were disputes among the siblings and Brad navigated them professionally and fairly. He kept the focus on closing the estate correctly rather than escalating conflict. Truly exceptional handling of a difficult situation.”
Anonymous
Navigating Probate? We Can Help.
If a loved one has passed or you are an executor facing the Illinois probate process, contact Brad today. Evening and weekend appointments available for families in urgent need.
Attorney advertising. Not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship created by this website. IL ARDC #6225854.