The length of the probate process can vary widely, from several months to several years, depending on the complexity of the estate and any legal challenges that may arise. Generally speaking, many estates can be administered in ten to eighteen months.
Illinois law allows for a Small Estate Affidavit to be used for estates valued under a specific monetary threshold. With this affidavit, heirs can claim assets without going through the probate process, making it a quicker and less complicated option for smaller estates.
Any estate with probate assets exceeding $100,000.00 must go through the formal probate process. Additionally, Probate is typically required in Illinois when the probate assets contain real estate.
In Illinois, you can file probate without a lawyer if the estate is valued at less than $100,000 and does not have any real estate; in these cases, the estate can be settled via the Illinois Small Estate Affidavit. However, it is still wise to hire a lawyer to ensure compliance with applicable probate rules.
Please note that the primary ultimate responsibility for paying probate costs and fees is from the assets of the probate estate, not from the executor or beneficiaries personally.
Conversely, under the Mattson decision, a lawyer is required for all formal probate proceedings in Illinois and any petition to appoint a representative pro se is likely to be dismissed by the probate court.
How to fill out a small estate affidavit in Illinois Fill in your name and information in #1. Complete the information about the decedent in #2-4. Mark either #7a or #7b depending on what is true. Complete #9a to indicate the names of the spouse and children if any.
If you've been named an executor, a couple basic rules of thumb are that you can't do anything that disregards the provisions in the will, and you can't act against the interests of any of the beneficiaries.
A claim against the probate estate can either be filed with the court or mailed to the representative of the estate. Once the representative receives notice of the claim, he or she can either allow the claim or send a notice to the claimant informing them that they are “disallowing” the claim.