Lost a Loved One? We’ll Help You Navigate Probate

Almost always — but it depends on your role and the type of estate.

If you’re the Executor, Administrator, or Estate Representative:
Yes, in nearly all formal probate cases, legal representation is required.
Courts used to allow non-lawyers to appear, especially in downstate counties, but a recent appellate decision has clarified that all in-court probate matters now require an attorney.

If the estate qualifies for a Small Estate Affidavit (under $100,000 with no real estate), probate may not be necessary — and a lawyer isn’t required. But even then, the person handling the estate can be personally liable for mistakes, so legal advice is strongly recommended.

If you’re an Heir or Legatee (but not in charge):
You don’t need a lawyer to protect your own interests, but probate law can be complex. If you’re concerned about getting your rightful share, or want to contest the actions of the person managing the estate, having a lawyer can make a big difference — especially if the estate is contested or unclear.

Almost never.

Our clients seldom, if ever, need to come to our office. We handle nearly everything remotely through phone, email, and video conference. Documents can be signed and transmitted electronically, and most probate court hearings in Illinois now take place via Zoom.

That said, if you prefer to meet in person, you’re welcome to visit our office. And in the rare case that a court requires you to appear in person, we’ll guide you through it — and we can even meet you where you are (as long as you’re in the greater Chicago area).

We’ve built our probate process to be as easy and convenient as possible — so you can focus on your family, not logistics.

Almost all cases we handle start with a retainer of approximately $2,750.00. After that, the fees are billed hourly and typically paid from the estate. 

Of course, the real question is: what will it cost overall?

That depends on the complexity of the estate — so much so that we’ve written a full article on it:
How Much Does Probate Cost in Illinois »

In short, a typical estate with no unusual assets, no family disputes, and a cooperative process will usually result in $5,000 to $7,000 in total legal fees.
Estates involving disputes, complicated assets, or difficult beneficiaries may cost significantly more.

We’ll give you a much clearer estimate during your free consultation, once we understand your specific situation.

Yes — and in most cases, you won’t need to pay everything out of pocket.

After the initial retainer (typically around $2,750), most legal fees are paid directly from the estate as part of the probate process.

To help with the upfront cost:

• We accept all major credit cards
• We work with third-party legal financing companies (approval depends on credit)
• In some cases, families pool funds to get the estate started

Because probate isn’t optional — and the estate can’t be distributed until it’s handled — many families view the retainer as a necessary step to unlock the estate’s value.

We’ll explain all your options during the free consultation, so you can decide what makes the most sense in your situation.

Yes — in fact, most people contact us before they’ve been officially appointed.
Whether you're named in a will or just trying to figure out who should be in charge, we can guide you through the process of becoming the legal representative of the estate.
We help you take the right legal steps, starting with the court petition to open probate.

In Illinois, probate takes a minimum of six months — and that’s just due to the required creditor claim period, which can’t be shortened. There’s no way around it.

On average, most estates take 9 to 12 months to complete.
Larger or more complex estates, or those involving real estate, business interests, or family disputes, can take significantly longer.

The biggest factor that slows probate down? Disputes between heirs or beneficiaries.
Other delays can come from uncooperative family members, missing documents, or an estate representative who isn’t staying on top of things.

Bottom line: court is slow, but we do everything possible to keep your case moving forward and avoid unnecessary delays.

You'll speak with one of our probate attorneys by phone at no cost.
We'll answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you understand what to expect if you move forward. There’s no pressure — and if your case isn’t a good fit, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Usually, yes.
Even if there’s a will, probate is typically required to transfer assets in Illinois — especially real estate, bank accounts, or personal property over $100,000.
We’ll review the will and help you determine whether probate is needed and what your next steps should be.

Yes. We work with out-of-state executors and administrators all the time.
Most of the probate process can be handled remotely by phone, email, and electronic filing. We’ll manage the legal work on the ground in Illinois, so you don’t have to travel unless absolutely necessary.

If there’s no will, the court will appoint an administrator (instead of an executor), and Illinois law will determine how assets are distributed.
We can help you petition the court to become the administrator and ensure the estate is handled properly. This is a common situation, and we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.

An executor is named in a will and carries out the deceased person’s wishes. An administrator is appointed by the court when there is no will.
Both roles involve managing the estate, paying debts, and distributing assets. Whether you're an executor or administrator, we provide legal support throughout the process.

Yes — we do handle contested estates, but with some important caveats.

If you’re the executor or administrator of a disputed estate, we offer a free consultation to help you understand your legal options and next steps.

If you’re a contesting heir or beneficiary, we may still be able to help — but we do not offer free consultations for these matters. Estate litigation is complex, time-sensitive, and often expensive. For that reason, we only take on these cases when the potential financial loss justifies the cost of legal action.

Also, keep in mind: there are strict deadlines for contesting a will or taking legal action in probate court. If you believe something is wrong, don’t wait.

Contact us to find out whether your case qualifies for representation.

We represent both estate representatives (executors, administrators) and heirs or beneficiaries — but the process and costs are different.

If you're the person in charge of the estate, your consultation is free, and legal fees are typically paid from the estate.

If you're an heir or beneficiary who is not taking charge, we can still help — but:

• We charge a consultation fee

• Legal fees are paid out of pocket, not by the estate

• Costs can range from modest (if you just want us to monitor the estate) to very high (if you are contesting a will or filing court actions)

In our experience, most heirs do not pursue representation unless significant assets are at stake and there’s a strong legal claim.

If you’re unsure of your rights, we’re happy to talk through your options — just know that contesting an estate is a serious and often costly step.

We handle probate cases in Cook County and the collar counties — including Lake, DuPage, Kane, and Will.

In Illinois, probate is filed in the county where the decedent lived at the time of death — not where the executor or administrator lives. So even if you live elsewhere (or out of state), we can still represent you if the estate needs to be handled in one of these counties.

We’ve worked with estate representatives across the country — and occasionally abroad — though international cases can be more complex.

If you're not sure where the estate should be filed, we’ll help you figure it out during the consultation.

Just fill out our short contact form and we’ll call you within one business day.
We’ll ask a few questions to learn about your situation and schedule your free consultation if it looks like a good fit. There’s no cost, no pressure, and no obligation to move forward.