Probate in Lake County, Illinois
When someone who lived in Lake County dies, probate is handled by the county probate court. This page points you to that court and summarizes the Illinois rules that apply — the small-estate threshold, the key deadlines, and the instruments Illinois uses. For your own dates and numbers, use the free calculators linked below.
Where to file
Probate is filed in Lake County, where the person who died last lived. Local forms, e-filing rules, and scheduling vary by county — confirm with the county probate court.
19th Judicial Circuit Court — Probate (Lake County)Does this estate need full probate?
Illinois lets smaller estates skip full probate using the Small Estate Affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) for estates up to $150,000.
Check your estate Source — 755 ILCS 5/25-1 ($150k personalty; raised from $100k by P.A. 104-346, eff. 8/15/2025)Key probate deadlines in Illinois
- Lodge the will with the court
- 30 days after the date of death
- File the estate inventory
- 60 days after appointment as personal representative
- Creditor-claim period closes
- 6 months after first publication of the notice to creditors (outer bar: 24 months from death)
Good to know in Illinois
- The court empowers the personal representative with Letters of Office.
- The estate closes with the Final Report.
- Illinois estate tax return due 9 months after death; $4M exemption. Administered by the Attorney General.
Talk it through, or find a local pro
Ask the guide a question about probate in Lake County, or browse vetted probate attorneys and real-estate advisors who work in Illinois.
Selling an inherited home? Estimate the tax with the capital-gains calculator. Just getting started? Print the Illinois after-a-death checklist.