Overview
Bureau County is located in Illinois with a population of approximately 33,000. The Bureau County Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit) handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Illinois probate is governed by the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/). The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (if there is a will) or a Petition for Letters of Administration (if there is no will) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters of Office to the representative.
Small Estate Affidavit: For estates valued at $150,000 or less (excluding real estate and now excluding motor vehicles as of 2026), heirs may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit to transfer assets without formal court probate.
Statutory Fees: Illinois does not have a statutory percentage fee schedule for attorneys or executors. Fees must be "reasonable" based on the services rendered, complexity, and time spent, subject to court approval if contested or in certain estate types.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Bureau County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Bureau County Circuit Court
Probate matters in Bureau County are handled at the Bureau County Courthouse.
Address: 700 South Main St, Princeton, IL 61356
Phone: (815) 872-2001 (Circuit Clerk)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Circuit Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining court records and processing filings. The probate division is part of the Civil Division.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available around the courthouse square and on nearby streets. Security screening is required for entry into the building; cell phones and electronic devices may be restricted.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the personal estate is valued at $150,000 or less (excluding real estate) and there are no unpaid claims, you may be able to use a Small Estate Affidavit.
- Joint Tenancy/Survivorship: Assets held in joint tenancy with rights of survivorship pass automatically to the surviving owner.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file the appropriate petition with the Bureau County Circuit Clerk. Include:
- Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration)
- Original Will and codicils (if applicable)
- Affidavit of Heirship
- Copy of the death certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $276.00)
- Oath and Bond of Representative (Surety or No Surety)
E-Filing: Illinois requires mandatory e-filing for civil cases, including probate, for attorneys and most self-represented litigants through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) like Odyssey eFileIL.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice to all heirs and legatees within 14 days of the issuance of Letters of Office.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Bureau County (such as the Bureau County Republican) once a week for three successive weeks to notify creditors.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court may schedule a hearing to formally admit the will and appoint the representative. In many uncontested cases, this can be done "on the papers" without a formal appearance if all waivers and documents are in order, but local practice varies.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters of Office, the personal representative must:
- Notify known creditors and allow the 6-month claim period to run.
- Inventory estate assets.
- Pay valid claims and administrative expenses.
- File federal and state tax returns if required.
- Distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries/heirs.
- File a Final Report and receipts to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Bureau County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for most filers via the state's e-filing system (eFileIL).
- Local Rules: The 13th Judicial Circuit may have specific local rules regarding the format of inventories or final reports.
- Bond: A bond is required for all personal representatives. If the will waives surety, a "personal" bond is sufficient; otherwise, a surety bond (insurance) is usually required.
- Publication: Notice is typically published in the Bureau County Republican.
Always check with the Circuit Clerk for the most current local forms and procedural checklists.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Bureau County)
- Probate Petition (Opening Estate): $276.00
- Guardianship: $276.00
- Certified Copies: Approximately $6.00 for the first copy, additional fees for extra copies.
- Publication costs: Approximately $150–$300 depending on the length of the notice.
Payment Methods
The Circuit Clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards (service fees apply for cards). E-filing fees are paid directly through the EFSP portal.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6–9 months (minimum 6 months for creditor claims).
- Average estates: 9–12 months.
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to several years.
The timeline is largely dictated by the mandatory 6-month creditor claim period which begins after the first publication of notice.
Local Resources
Bureau County Court Resources
- Circuit Clerk Website: circuitclerk.bureaucounty-il.gov
- Probate Self-Help: Illinois Legal Aid Online
- Illinois Standardized Forms: illinoiscourts.gov/forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Illinois State Bar Association: (800) 252-8908 — isba.org
- Prairie State Legal Services: (815) 434-5903 — pslegal.org
Publication
- Bureau County Republican: (815) 875-4461 — shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican