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Jackson County, IL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Jackson County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit, Jackson County |
| Filing office | Jackson County Circuit Clerk, Jackson County Courthouse |
| Courthouse address | 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 730, Murphysboro, IL 62966 |
| Phone | (618) 687-7300 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Filing fee | Schedule 2 probate filing fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b: $256.00, revised January 1, 2022. Schedule 1 appearance fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b: $181.00, revised January 1, 2022. Will-only filing under Schedule 4 and 755 ILCS 5/6-1: $0.00, revised January 1, 2022. |
| Local forms | Ask the Circuit Clerk whether a Jackson County decedent-estate packet or cover sheet is currently required. |
| E-filing | Probate civil filings use eFileIL. An original will cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1) and must be delivered or mailed to the Circuit Clerk. |
| Case search | Judici lists Jackson County under court ID IL039015J. If a probate matter does not appear, call the Circuit Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E) controls. Remote appearance is allowed if a county or judge standing order permits it; otherwise ask the assigned judge by written motion. |
| Website | Jackson County Circuit Clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Jackson County, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, heirs and beneficiaries. The right estate settlement path depends on what must be transferred, whether an original will exists, and whether a court-appointed executor or administrator needs letters of office under 755 ILCS 5.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions, which can help you find accounts before you choose between using a small estate affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, asking an attorney to open a probate case, or gathering papers for the Jackson County Circuit Clerk.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Jackson County Courthouse in Murphysboro serves probate filings for estates venued in Jackson County. Jackson County is part of the First Judicial Circuit with Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union and Williamson Counties, but venue is still county-specific.
Under Illinois venue law, probate or administration is filed in the county of the decedent's known residence, or if there is no known Illinois residence, in the county holding the greater part of the Illinois real estate, or then the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1). If venue points to Jackson County, file with the Jackson County Circuit Clerk, not another county in the First Judicial Circuit.
The jurisdiction process
- Locate the original will, if one exists, and identify the assets, debts, heirs and beneficiaries before choosing a Jackson County filing path.
- Prepare the petition, proposed order and proposed letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 if court authority is needed for an executor or administrator.
- File probate civil papers through eFileIL when required for the case filing. Deliver or mail any original will to the Jackson County Circuit Clerk because an original will cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1).
- Pay the Jackson County filing charges that apply. The Schedule 2 probate filing fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b is $256.00, revised January 1, 2022, and the Schedule 1 appearance fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b is $181.00, revised January 1, 2022. A will-only filing under Schedule 4 and 755 ILCS 5/6-1 is $0.00, revised January 1, 2022.
- Give notice as required by the Illinois Probate Act and by any order entered in the Jackson County case, including creditor notice handled under 755 ILCS 5/18-3 when an estate is opened.
- Watch for the hearing notice or court order. For remote attendance, follow any county or judge standing order. If none applies, file a written motion asking the assigned judge for permission under First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E).
- After appointment, obtain certified letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 from the Circuit Clerk so the representative can work with banks, buyers, title companies and other institutions.
- Administer the estate, address claims, transfer or sell assets as authorized, complete required notices and accountings, and close the Jackson County case when administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Jackson County
Jackson County does not have a local decedent-estate packet listed here. Before filing, call the Jackson County Circuit Clerk to ask whether a local cover sheet, proposed order format or judge-specific paper is required for your case.
Illinois does not maintain an approved form set for opening a decedent's estate, inventories, accountings or closing papers. For a small estate affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, Illinois Legal Aid Online offers a statewide interview and guide for families who are not opening a court estate.
If you are asking the Circuit Court to appoint an executor or administrator, the petition and proposed letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 should match Illinois Probate Act terminology and Jackson County filing practice.
Fees
The Jackson County Circuit Clerk publishes civil filing fees for probate case type PR. Use the clerk's current schedule before filing, because copy charges, publication costs and later petitions can add expense.
| Fee item | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule 2 probate filing fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, except filing a will alone | $256.00 | Revised January 1, 2022 |
| Schedule 1 appearance fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b for probate matters | $181.00 | Revised January 1, 2022 |
| Will-only filing under Schedule 4 and 755 ILCS 5/6-1 | $0.00 | Revised January 1, 2022 |
Local nuance
Jackson County-specific considerations
Remote appearance in Jackson County is more local-rule specific than the statewide default. First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E) says civil case participants may appear remotely if a county or judge standing order allows it. If there is no applicable standing order, the participant must ask the assigned judge for permission by written motion.
Notices and court orders that allow remote attendance should include the Zoom meeting information along with the courthouse address and courtroom number under First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(C). Read the hearing notice carefully before assuming a probate appearance can be handled remotely.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home is titled and whether any asset still requires Jackson County court authority. If letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 are needed, file with the Jackson County Circuit Clerk in Murphysboro. | Sunset helps gather asset information, organize title and account questions, and decide whether an attorney should open a Jackson County estate. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If no court estate is needed, the family may be able to use a small estate affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV with banks or other holders. If a court case is needed, filings go through Jackson County and remote attendance depends on First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E). | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare an asset list and connect the child with local counsel if the matter needs a Jackson County filing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale of real estate often requires court authority. The parent should plan for a Jackson County filing, appointment of a representative and certified letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 before the sale can move forward. | Sunset helps organize estate settlement tasks, identify accounts and coordinate with a vetted Illinois probate attorney for the court filing and sale process. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County Circuit Clerk | Filing office for Jackson County probate cases, will filing, fee questions and case access questions. | Jackson County Courthouse, 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Phone: (618) 687-7300. |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online | Statewide guides and a small estate affidavit interview under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV for families who are not opening a court estate. | illinoislegalaid.org |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Carbondale office | Legal aid provider serving Jackson County for eligible residents. | 509 South University Avenue, Third Floor, Carbondale, IL 62901. Phone: (618) 457-7800. Toll free: (800) 642-5335. |
When to hire an attorney
Counsel often makes sense in a Jackson County estate when real estate must be sold, heirs disagree, creditor claims need to be handled, or the representative needs to request letters of office under 755 ILCS 5. Illinois practice also treats an estate representative as acting for beneficiaries and creditors, not only for themselves. Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney when local representation is the safer path.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can build a clearer estate settlement picture before deciding what to file in Jackson County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information families need for petitions, notices, asset lists and attorney review, using Illinois terms such as executor, administrator and letters of office under 755 ILCS 5.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Jackson County estate needs court representation, a sale of real estate or help with contested issues, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Illinois probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families understand the estate settlement path, gather documents and move the work forward without charging families for the core platform.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Jackson County?
File with the Jackson County Circuit Clerk at the Jackson County Courthouse, 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 730, Murphysboro, IL 62966.
Does Jackson County have a separate Probate Division?
No. Jackson County probate matters are handled as probate civil cases in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit. The filing office is the Jackson County Circuit Clerk.
Can I e-file a Jackson County probate case?
Probate civil filings use eFileIL. An original will cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1), so deliver or mail the original will to the Jackson County Circuit Clerk.
How much is the Jackson County probate filing fee?
The Schedule 2 probate filing fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b is $256.00, revised January 1, 2022. The Schedule 1 appearance fee under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b is $181.00, revised January 1, 2022. Filing a will alone under Schedule 4 and 755 ILCS 5/6-1 is $0.00, revised January 1, 2022.
Are Jackson County probate cases searchable online?
Judici lists Jackson County under court ID IL039015J. If you cannot find a probate case, call the Jackson County Circuit Clerk because online lookup may not show every filing or document.
Can I appear remotely for a Jackson County probate hearing?
First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E) controls remote appearances. If a county or judge standing order allows remote attendance, use the Zoom information in the notice or order. If no standing order applies, ask the assigned judge for permission by written motion.
Does Jackson County publish probate forms?
A Jackson County decedent-estate packet is not listed here. Call the Circuit Clerk before filing to ask whether the judge requires a local cover sheet, proposed order or other paper.
Do I have to travel to Murphysboro for probate?
Many probate papers can be prepared before filing, and civil filings generally use eFileIL. You may still need to deliver or mail an original will, and remote attendance depends on First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.15(E), any standing order and the assigned judge.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.