State guide
Illinois
Illinois requires probate representatives to publish and also mail or deliver notice to known or reasonably ascertainable creditors. Illinois also updated its small-estate affidavit materials: the current Secretary of State form printed February 2026 shows a $150,000 personal-estate limit. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=2104&ActName=Probate+Act+of+1975.&ChapAct=755+ILCS+5%2F&Chapter=ESTATES&ChapterID=60&MajorTopic=RIGHTS+AND+REMEDIES&SeqEnd=24900000&SeqStart=23200000&utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Publishing the notice
- ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Creditor claim deadline
- At least 6 months after first publication, or 3 months after mailing/delivery to a known creditor, whichever is later. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Outside deadline
- 2 years after death. ([ilga.gov](https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-12.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Law
- 755 ILCS 5/18-3; 755 ILCS 5/18-12; 755 ILCS 5/25-1; 715 ILCS 5/5
- Small-estate limit
- $150,000 in personal estate, excluding motor vehicles for certain title-only use; no letters of office outstanding or pending. ([ilga.gov](https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K25-1.htm?utm_source=openai))
Official resources in Illinois
Official statewide court self-help page for people without lawyers, with links to forms and court-help services. ([illinoiscourts.gov](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/self-help/self-help/?utm_source=openai))
Official forms page that includes probate-related forms and court documents. ([illinoiscourts.gov](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/?utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Illinois
- Illinois representatives must publish once a week for 3 successive weeks. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Known or reasonably ascertainable creditors must be mailed or delivered notice. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- The claim date in the notice must be at least 6 months after first publication. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Illinois bars probate claims 2 years after death unless sooner barred. ([ilga.gov](https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-12.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Illinois's current small-estate affidavit shows a $150,000 personal-estate limit. ([ilsos.gov](https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/rtopr31.pdf))
What to do next
- Read 755 ILCS 5/18-3 before publishing so the notice states a claim date that is at least 6 months from first publication. ([ilga.gov](https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K18-3.htm?utm_source=openai))
- Use the Secretary of State small-estate affidavit only if the estate fits the affidavit conditions. ([ilga.gov](https://ilga.gov/documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/075500050K25-1.htm?utm_source=openai))
- If filing without a lawyer, start on the Illinois Courts self-help and forms pages before contacting the circuit clerk. ([illinoiscourts.gov](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/self-help/self-help/?utm_source=openai))
Helpful guides
- What is a notice to creditors in probate?
- How to publish a probate notice in a newspaper
- How much does it cost to publish a probate notice?
- What counts as a legal newspaper for probate notices
Creditor deadline calculator →