You don’t need quotes to get started. Explore the costs involved, then add any amounts you already know to build your budget.
Educational planning tool: It does not determine whether probate is required, quote fees or predict a closing date.
How to use the calculator
1. Identify the assets. Separate property passing through the estate from assets with other transfer arrangements. Ask an attorney to confirm ownership and beneficiary designations.
2. Explore the costs. Use the checklist to learn what to confirm. If you already have quotes, open “Already have cost estimates?” and add them. Blank means unknown; $0 means a confirmed no-charge item.
3. Review the result. Use the snapshot to prepare questions for an attorney. A preliminary small-estate screen does not verify every affidavit requirement.
What your budget includes
The optional worksheet adds your completed lawyer and executor or administrator quotes or ranges, plus any court filing, publication, bond-premium and other administration amounts you enter. Costs still to confirm are listed separately and are not included in the subtotal. The budget excludes debts, estate taxes and beneficiary distributions; actual costs may vary.
Does Illinois use a percentage probate fee?
Illinois provides for reasonable compensation for the estate representative and the representative’s attorney under §27-1 and §27-2. This calculator does not apply an automatic percentage to estate value.
Can a small-estate affidavit avoid a court administration?
An affidavit may be an option for qualifying personal property. The tool provides only a preliminary screen; an attorney must verify applicable law, property classification and all required statements. Real-estate transfers need separate analysis. See §25-1.
Is probate cost the same as estate tax?
No. Administration costs and estate taxes are different questions. For a separate educational tax estimate, see our Illinois estate tax calculator.
Will the estimate tell me when probate will finish?
No. Creditor notices, property sales, disputes and tax work can affect the process. The calculator explains the Illinois notice rule but does not calculate a court deadline or promise a completion date.
Related probate reading
Explore ways to avoid probate in Illinois, when a probate lawyer can help, and how long probate can take in Illinois.
Discuss your next steps
Bring your asset list, beneficiary designations, will or trust documents, known debts and any fee quotes to your consultation. Learn about our probate services or contact Plan Forward Legal.