About Appearance on Proof of Will
Heirs, legatees, or devisees waive notice and consent to an immediate hearing on admission of a will to probate and issuance of letters of office.
When you'd use it: When heirs or beneficiaries under a will wish to waive formal notice and expedite the probate hearing process.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Appearance on Proof of Will is published as a PDF by the Illinois courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Verified official PDF
Download Appearance on Proof of Will (PDF) →
Source: mchenrycircuitclerk.org
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Appearance on Proof of Will in Illinois
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Appearance on Proof of Will (PR-APE1) when when heirs or beneficiaries under a will wish to waive formal notice and expedite the probate hearing process. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Illinois probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Appearance on Proof of Will carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Appearance on Proof of Will to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Illinois county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).