Probate Court

Overview

The word "probate" is derived from Latin words meaning "a thing that is approved" and "to test and find good." In Illinois, a Probate Court is a particular court which has power over the administration of the estates of deceased persons, as well as living persons whom the law recognizes as being unable to handle their own affairs (minors and adults with a disability).

The Probate Court is located in the Main Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan, IL. The Probate Division in the Circuit Clerk’s Office is 847-377-3260. Due to the complexity of laws and procedures in probate, you are encouraged to seek the advice of a lawyer.


Handbook & Forms

The Probate Guide Handbook (PDF) will inform you about the types of cases heard in Probate Court as well as familiarize you with some of the legal terminology often associated with probate cases. This booklet was designed to help individuals become more informed about the general outline of Probate Court in Lake County, IL. Probate law can be specialized and difficult to understand for those without legal training. It is always advisable to consult with an attorney.

Further instructions and approved forms can be found at the Lake County Circuit Clerk. 


Types of Cases

Generally, three types of matters are handled in Probate Court:

  1. The administration of the property of a deceased person ("decedent's estate")
  2. The administration of personal and financial affairs for any individual suffering from extreme mental and/or physical disabilities ("disabled's estate")
  3. The supervision of the financial affairs of someone under eighteen years of age ("minor's estate")


Laws & Regulations

The particular law that applies in any of these cases is written in the form of statutes, which are drafted by the State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. The complete text of the Probate Act may be found in the Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 110 1/2. From time to time, these statutes are applied by courts throughout the State of Illinois, with the written and reported court decisions providing interpretations of the statutes which must be followed.


Average Cases

Any citizen can find himself or herself involved in a Probate Court proceeding, either through the death of a relative or the disability of a friend or other family member. The Probate Court in Lake County is a particularly busy one, with nearly 3,000 cases pending at any one time. The types of cases that have been described do represent the great majority of matters heard, amounting to more than 90% of the cases placed on the Probate Court's docket on any given day. Matters heard less frequently include petitions authorizing emergency surgery and requests that terminally ill patients be removed from life support devices.


Benefits of Probate Court

The benefits of the Probate Court's requirements and supervision are to assure that the intent of a deceased person concerning the distribution of his or her estate is carried out in an orderly manner and that the personal and property rights of living persons that the law finds to be disabled are protected from waste, abuse or neglect. The rules under which the proceedings are handled are often voluminous and specific.

Again, you are always advised to consult an attorney to ensure that your probate case is handled both legally and efficiently.