Overview
St. Clair County, part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, is located in southwestern Illinois across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. It is the ninth-most populous county in the state and includes the communities of Belleville, East St. Louis, O'Fallon, Fairview Heights, and Swansea. The Circuit Court of St. Clair County handles probate matters at the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville.
St. Clair County was one of the five pilot counties for Illinois's mandatory electronic filing system, alongside Cook, DuPage, Madison, and Will Counties. The county has well-established e-filing procedures for all civil matters, including probate.
Most estates in St. Clair County proceed under independent administration, which allows the estate representative to handle routine estate matters without prior court approval. For smaller estates, the small estate affidavit option is available when personal property is valued at $100,000 or less (increasing to $150,000 for decedents dying on or after August 15, 2025) and no real estate is involved.
The standard 6-month claims period applies after publication of notice to creditors. The representative must publish notice in a St. Clair County newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks.
Note: This guide provides general informational guidance and is not legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Courthouse Information
St. Clair County Probate Court Location
Probate matters are handled at the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville.
- Address: 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220
- Phone (Circuit Clerk): (618) 277-6600
- Phone (Probate Division): (618) 277-6832
- Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The courthouse is located on the Public Square in downtown Belleville. Street parking and nearby municipal parking lots are available. The courthouse is accessible from I-64 and IL-159.
E-Filing
St. Clair County was a pilot site for the Illinois Odyssey eFileIL system. All probate filings must be submitted electronically.
Filing Process
How to File a Probate Case in St. Clair County
Step 1: Determine the Type of Administration
- Independent Administration: Most common; the representative acts without prior court approval for routine matters
- Supervised Administration: Court oversight required for all actions
- Small Estate Affidavit: For personal property $100,000 or less (no real estate)
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
- Petition for Probate of Will and Issuance of Letters (or Petition for Letters of Administration)
- Original will and codicils (if testate)
- Certified death certificate
- Proposed order
- Oath and Bond (or bond waiver)
- Notice of filing to interested parties
Step 3: File Electronically
Submit all documents through the eFileIL system. Original wills must be deposited in person at the Circuit Clerk's office.
Step 4: Attend the Court Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing. The petitioner or attorney must appear before the assigned probate judge.
Step 5: Publish Notice to Creditors
Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in St. Clair County once a week for three consecutive weeks after receiving Letters of Office.
Step 6: Administer the Estate
File an inventory within 60 days, manage the 6-month claims period, pay valid debts, file tax returns, and distribute assets.
Local Requirements
St. Clair County Local Probate Requirements
- Mandatory E-Filing: All probate filings must be submitted through the eFileIL system. Original wills are filed in person.
- Pilot County: St. Clair County was one of five pilot sites for Illinois's mandatory e-filing system.
- Probate Forms: The Circuit Clerk provides probate-specific forms and documents on the county website.
- Inventory: Must be filed within 60 days of appointment.
- Claims Period: 6 months from the first publication of notice to creditors.
- Bond: May be waived per the will's terms. Otherwise, bond is set by the court.
- Real Property: Orders affecting real property must be recorded with the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds.
- Estate Tax: Illinois estate tax applies to estates exceeding approximately $4 million in gross value.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Probate Case Filing | Approximately $366 |
| Certified Copies | Varies; contact Clerk's office |
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk publishes a fee schedule on their website. Contact the Clerk at (618) 277-6600 for the most current information.
Typical Timelines
- Simple Estate (Independent Administration): Approximately 9 to 12 months
- Complex Estate (Supervised or Contested): 12 to 24+ months
- Small Estate Affidavit: Typically 30 to 60 days after the mandatory waiting period
These are estimates and depend on estate complexity, claims, and court scheduling.
Local Resources
St. Clair County Probate Resources
- St. Clair County Circuit Clerk — General filing information and contact details
- St. Clair County Probate Forms — Downloadable probate-specific forms
- St. Clair County Fee Schedule — Current filing fee schedule
- eFileIL — Illinois Electronic Filing — Statewide e-filing portal
- St. Clair County Legal Self-Help Center — Free legal information from Illinois Legal Aid Online
- St. Clair County Bar Association — Lawyer referral services