How to Settle a Small Estate in Illinois Without Going to Probate Court
Step-by-step guide to settling an Illinois estate under $150,000 without formal probate, using the Small Estate Affidavit and other non-court transfer methods.
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All articles about When Someone Dies in Illinois — Estate Settlement Guide.
Best Illinois Estate Settlement Guide for Surviving Spouses
The right Illinois estate settlement resource for surviving spouses — covering frozen accounts, the Spouse's Award, TODI transfers, and the $4M estate tax trap.
Best Illinois Estate Settlement Guide for First-Time Executors
First-time executor in Illinois? Compare your options — from free government forms to paid guides to attorney retainers — and find the right resource for your situation.
Illinois Estate Settlement Guide vs Hiring a Probate Attorney: Which Do You Actually Need?
Compare the cost, timeline, and coverage of a $24 Illinois estate settlement guide against a $3,000-$7,000 probate attorney retainer to decide which fits your situation.
Alternatives to Hiring an Illinois Probate Attorney for Estate Settlement
Explore 5 alternatives to a $3,000-$7,000 Illinois probate attorney: Small Estate Affidavit, Bond in Lieu of Probate, estate settlement guides, legal aid, and limited-scope representation.
Illinois Transfer on Death Instrument: How Real Property Bypasses Probate
The Illinois Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) lets real estate pass to heirs automatically, avoiding probate. Learn how it works, its limits, and recent expansions.
Illinois Small Estate Affidavit Form: The 2025 Rules Explained
Illinois raised the Small Estate Affidavit limit to $150,000 in August 2025 and excluded vehicles. Learn who qualifies, how to use the affidavit, and what banks can legally demand.
Illinois Letters of Office: What They Are and When You Need Them
Letters of Office are Illinois's court-issued authority for an executor to act. Learn when you need them, how to get them, and whether a Bond in Lieu of Probate is a cheaper alternative.
Cook County Probate Division: How to File and What It Costs
How Cook County probate court works, what it costs to open a probate case, local e-filing rules, and when you actually need to go through the Probate Division at all.
Cook County Death Certificate: How to Get Certified Copies
How to order certified death certificates in Cook County, IL. Covers fees, where to go, how many copies to order, and what to do when institutions need originals.
VSD-190 Illinois Form: How to Transfer a Car Title After Death
How to use Illinois Form VSD-190 to transfer a vehicle title after someone dies. Includes the RUT-50 estate gift exemption that saves families hundreds in unnecessary tax.
Illinois Intestate Succession: Who Inherits When There Is No Will
Who inherits in Illinois when someone dies without a will? Illinois intestate succession law sets a strict order. Learn who gets what, common surprises, and what the 30-day will-filing deadline means.
Illinois Executor Duties: What You Are Legally Required to Do
Illinois executor duties run from the first 30 days to final court closing. Learn the legal timeline, the creditor payment order, the will-filing deadline, and the personal liability risks.
Illinois Estate Tax: Rates, Threshold, and Form 700 Explained
Illinois estate tax applies to estates over $4 million with rates up to 16%. Learn the threshold, rates, Form 700 filing rules, and how to avoid the non-portability trap.