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Illinois Probate Timeline Calculator

Get the creditor notice publication wrong in Illinois, and a 6-month estate can quietly become a 2-year one — the paperwork behind the deadline matters as much as the deadline itself.

Based on 755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-12, 5/28-1 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Illinois probate

Pick the options that match your estate — the estimate updates instantly.

Estimated timeline in Illinois
6–12 months
Independent administration, no estate tax, cooperative heirs
Independent vs supervised? →
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Illinois's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneIllinois ruleSource
Notice to creditors publishedOnce/week for 3 consecutive weeks755 ILCS 5/18-3
Direct notice to known creditorsBy mail, alongside publication755 ILCS 5/18-3
Inventory dueWithin 60 days of appointment755 ILCS 5/24-1
Creditor claim deadlineLater of 6 months from publication, or 3 months from mailing755 ILCS 5/18-3
Absolute bar (regardless of letters)2 years from date of death755 ILCS 5/18-12
Illinois estate tax return (if required)Form 700 within 9 months of death35 ILCS 405

Illinois probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in Illinois?

Most Illinois estates take 6 to 12 months, set by the 6-month creditor claim period after publication. Complex, contested, or supervised estates run considerably longer.

How long do Illinois creditors have to file a claim?

The later of 6 months from the first publication of Notice to Creditors, or 3 months from the date a known creditor was mailed direct notice, under 755 ILCS 5/18-3. Regardless of notice, all claims are barred 2 years after death under 5/18-12.

What happens if the Illinois creditor notice isn't published correctly?

The 6-month claim period can effectively extend to the full 2-year outer bar instead. A publisher's affidavit confirming proper publication must be filed with the court — skipping or botching this step is a genuine procedural trap for executors.

When is the Illinois Inventory due?

Within 60 days of the representative's appointment (Letters of Office being issued).

Illinois probate tools & guides

Illinois Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in IllinoisThe real causes, beyond the baseline Independent vs SupervisedWhich one applies to your estate Illinois Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Illinois statute (755 ILCS 5/18-3, 5/18-12, 5/24-1, 5/28-1; 35 ILCS 405). Actual timelines depend on the specific Circuit Court's calendar, whether the estate is contested, and how quickly the representative files. Confirm current timelines with the Circuit Court or a licensed Illinois attorney before acting.