Free Initial Phone Consultation

If you have been named as executor in a Will or a relative has died without a Will and you are interested in serving as estate representative,  or if you are named as a trustee, please feel free to call us at (847) 991-2250 for a free initial phone consultation.  Or, contact us here if you would like to inquire by e-mail. 

We provide comprehensive probate, estate and trust administration services from the filing of the will to the closing of the estate or trust and everything in between.  We are available to handle cases for all areas of Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County and McHenry County.

Items to Gather for Initial Estate Administration Conference

The following client letter is provided for your reference to assist you in gathering the initial information to help us begin the administration process:

Checklist of items for initial estate administration conference (PDF file)

Costs and Fees

There are a number of costs and fees associated with probate estates.  The following is a summary of costs and fees for most typical probate estates (filing costs do vary by county):

Costs:

• Filing and document fees -- usually $300-400
• Publication fees -- usually $150-200
• Surety bond -- for intestate estates (no Will) and wills that do not waive surety -- varies depending on value of personal estate.

Fees:

• Attorney fees -- billed at attorney's hourly rate.  In our experience, fees for most "simple" probate estates are between $4,000-6,000.  However, it is not uncommon for a simple probate estate to end up being not as simple as anticipated often due to circumstances out of the executor's control.
• Executor fees -- the executor is entitled to "reasonable compensation".  What is reasonable depends entirely on the circumstances and should be discussed with the estate attorney early in the process.
• Accountant fees and appraisal fees may also be applicable depending on the circumstances.

Please note that the primary responsibility for paying costs and fees is from the assets of the probate estate, not from the executor personally.  Initial estate expenses incurred by the executor prior to opening the estate can be reimbursed once the estate is opened.

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Disclaimer:  All content provided is brief general information and not intended as legal advice.  Always consult an attorney before acting.  Please read full disclaimer at the bottom of the page.