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Kankakee County, IL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Kankakee County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court of the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, Kankakee County |
| Filing office | Kankakee County Circuit Clerk, Room 209, Kankakee County Courthouse |
| Courthouse address | 450 East Court Street, Room 209, Kankakee, IL 60901 |
| Mailing | Mail to the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk at 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. Call before mailing an original will. |
| Phone | (815) 936-5700 |
| Fax | (815) 939-8830 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., open through the lunch hour, closed on federal and state holidays |
| Filing fee | $356.00 to open a decedent's estate, plus $2.00 for each certified copy of letters of office, under the fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. Confirm the current amount with the Circuit Clerk. |
| Local forms | Yes. The Circuit Clerk posts probate petition packets, a small estate affidavit, an estate claim form and guardianship forms. |
| E-filing | Required for civil cases, including probate, under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(a) and Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.8(B). A self-represented filer may use the Certification for Exemption From E-filing under Rule 9(d). Original wills cannot be e-filed under Rule 9(c)(1). |
| Case lookup | Kankakee County online case portal at https://portal.k3county.net/Portal/. Search by name or case number, and call the Circuit Clerk if the estate does not appear. |
| Remote appearance | Routine probate status hearings may be attended by Zoom without prior approval under the assigned probate judge's standing order. Evidentiary hearings, pre-trial conferences, contempt hearings and settlement conferences are in person unless the judge orders otherwise. |
| Website | https://kankakeecountycircuitclerk.com/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Kankakee County, make a practical list of assets, debts, beneficiaries and documents. The local petition packets ask for the decedent's residence, date and place of death, heirs or legatees, approximate personal property, real estate and income from real estate, so the estate settlement process moves faster when that information is organized first.
Sunset can help search across more than 2,300 financial institutions to find accounts and assets before the Kankakee County filing is prepared. That asset discovery step can affect whether you need letters of office, how many certified copies to order and whether a court proceeding is needed at all.
Which court handles jurisdiction
One courthouse serves Kankakee County probate matters: the Kankakee County Courthouse at 450 East Court Street in the City of Kankakee. Probate filings are taken by the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk in Room 209. The Circuit Clerk publishes no branch probate filing office.
Kankakee County includes the City of Kankakee, the City of Momence, and the villages of Bourbonnais, Bradley, Chebanse, Essex, Grant Park, Herscher, Hopkins Park, Limestone, Manteno, Sammons Point, St. Anne and Sun River Terrace, along with Aroma Park, Limestone, Pembroke and surrounding rural townships.
Kankakee County shares the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit with Iroquois County. The two counties share circuit rules and court administration, but they do not share a probate filing counter. A Kankakee County estate is filed with the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk in Kankakee.
Illinois venue is set by the Illinois Probate Act of 1975: file in the county where the decedent had a known place of residence, then in the county with the greater part of the decedent's real estate, then in the county with the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the county and filing office. If venue belongs in Kankakee County under 755 ILCS 5/5-1, use the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk in Room 209 of the Kankakee County Courthouse.
- Deposit the original will if there is one. Anyone holding the will must file it with the clerk immediately after death (755 ILCS 5/6-1). Original wills cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1), and Kankakee County's fee schedule says there is no fee to file a will.
- Prepare the local packet. Use the Circuit Clerk's Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary packet for a will case, or the Petition for Letters of Administration packet if there is no will. The packet should support heirship under 755 ILCS 5/5-3 and the request for letters of office under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5).
- E-file the petition and supporting documents through eFileIL unless an exemption applies under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(d). The Twenty-First Judicial Circuit requires e-filing in Rule 1.8(B), and its local rule provides extra review before a self-represented filing is rejected for format issues.
- Pay the filing fee. The Kankakee County fee schedule effective January 1, 2022 lists $356.00 to open a decedent's estate. Confirm the current amount with the Circuit Clerk before filing.
- Wait for the clerk and judge to set the case. The standing order says all probate cases should be filed with the Circuit Clerk, not sent to the judge first. Some dates are assigned by the Circuit Clerk, and later dates are set by the judge in court or through the judge's clerk.
- Attend the hearing or status call. The probate and guardianship status call is on Thursday mornings. Routine status hearings may be attended by Zoom without prior approval, but evidentiary and other listed proceedings are in person unless the judge allows otherwise.
- Qualify as representative. The court can grant independent administration under Article XXVIII unless the will forbids it or an interested person objects (755 ILCS 5/28-2). The representative takes the oath, gives bond unless excused or handled by order, and receives letters of office under 755 ILCS 5/12-2 and 755 ILCS 5/6-8 or Article IX.
- Give required notices. After the order, give notice to heirs and legatees as required by 755 ILCS 5/6-10. Publish the claims notice once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county of administration, file proof of publication, and calendar the claims date that is not less than six months from first publication or three months from mailing, whichever is later (755 ILCS 5/18-3).
- Administer and close the estate. Inventory assets, pay allowed claims, handle sale or transfer of property, account as required by the Illinois Probate Act and Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 8.5, then submit the closing documents and proposed order when distribution is complete.
Executor duties
Kankakee County has a local accounting calendar in Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 8.5. Every executor or administrator must present the account and evidence of disbursements required by 755 ILCS 5/24-1 within 60 days after the first anniversary of the issuance of letters of office, then annually, and at any other time the court orders.
If an account is late, Rule 8.5 directs the clerk to mail notice that the account is due. If the account is not presented within 60 days after that notice, the clerk issues a citation directing the attorney, the representative, or both to account or appear. Continued failure can lead to revocation of letters of office under the court's authority and the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5).
Requests for more time must be made by verified petition and must give a definite date or a reason for less frequent accounting. The local rule states that lack of time by the attorney or representative is not enough by itself.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Kankakee County
Illinois does not publish a statewide standardized form set for decedent estates, but Kankakee County does. The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk posts local probate PDFs under the Probate heading on its Documents and Forms page.
| Form or packet | How it is used in Kankakee County |
|---|---|
| Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary | A packet for a will case, including the petition, oath, inventory, proof of heirship, bond, order and letters of office. The petition can request independent administration under Article XXVIII of the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/28-2). |
| Petition for Letters of Administration | A packet for an estate with no will, including the petition, oath, proof of heirship, bond, order and letters of office. |
| Small Estate Affidavit | A local affidavit template for the non-court affidavit route under 755 ILCS 5/25-1. Because the posted template predates a 2025 statutory amendment, check the current statutory affidavit and the institution's requirements before relying on it. |
| Estate Claim | A one-page sworn claim form for a creditor claim filed in a Kankakee County estate. |
| Notice of Change of Address and/or Name | A general clerk form that can help a representative keep the court file current during administration. |
The clerk does not say the local probate forms are mandatory. Treat them as the county's posted forms and filing packets, and call the Circuit Clerk if you are unsure which packet fits the estate.
Fees
Kankakee County publishes its own probate fee schedule. The figures below are from the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. Confirm the current amount with the Circuit Clerk before filing.
| Fee item | Amount, effective January 1, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Open a decedent's estate | $356.00 |
| Appearance, answer or response in a probate case | $181.00, except the schedule lists no fee for an appearance for consent or by an executor, administrator, administrator to collect, guardian, guardian ad litem or special administrator |
| Certified letters of office | $2.00 each |
| File a will without opening a case | No fee |
| Estate claim up to $149.99 | No fee |
| Estate claim from $150.00 to $499.99 | $25.00 |
| Estate claim from $500.00 to $9,999.00 | $40.00 |
| Estate claim of $10,000.00 or more | $60.00 |
| Copies, first page | $2.00 |
| Copies, pages 2 to 20 | $0.50 per page |
| Copies, page 21 and after | $0.25 per page |
| Certification, in addition to copy fee | $10.00 per stamp or seal |
Illinois filing fees are set under the circuit clerk fee framework in 705 ILCS 105/27.1b and by county action, which is why the Kankakee County amount is the number that matters locally.
Timeline
- Before filing, gather the will, death certificate, asset list, creditor information and names and addresses of heirs or legatees. Choose the Kankakee County packet that matches a will case or an estate with no will.
- File with the Circuit Clerk in Room 209. E-file the petition and supporting papers unless exempt, and bring the original will to the clerk because original wills cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1).
- After filing, some dates are assigned by the Circuit Clerk. Later motion and hearing dates are set by the judge in court or through the judge's clerk.
- Kankakee County's probate and guardianship status call is heard on Thursday mornings. Contested hearings may be set on Thursday afternoons or other days based on court and party availability.
- After the judge signs the order for administration, the standing order gives decedent estates an initial six-month status date so the court can monitor the case.
- Claims notice must be published once a week for three successive weeks, and the claims date must be not less than six months from first publication or three months from mailing, whichever is later (755 ILCS 5/18-3).
- Under Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 8.5, the first account is due within 60 days after the first anniversary of the issuance of letters of office, then annually, unless the court orders otherwise or grants a proper extension.
Local nuance
Kankakee County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Handwritten will | Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 8.1 requires a typed transcription and a verifying affidavit as part of the petition when the will is handwritten. |
| Will in another language | Rule 8.1 requires an English translated transcription and a certification by a qualified translator. |
| Routine probate status hearings | The standing order places probate and guardianship status hearings on Thursday mornings and allows routine status appearances by Zoom without prior approval. |
| In-person matters | Pre-trial conferences, jury trials, bench trials, evidentiary hearings, contempt hearings and settlement conferences are in person unless the judge allows otherwise. |
| Courthouse electronics | Phones, tablets and laptops are not allowed for general court business. Use the lockers at security and bring paper copies. |
| Room 209 | Probate filings go to the main Circuit Clerk's office in Room 209. The first-floor Room 108 office handles traffic, collections and child support only. |
Small-estate Alternatives
Kankakee County has one local small-estate detail: the Circuit Clerk posts a Small Estate Affidavit template on the local probate forms page. The affidavit route is governed by 755 ILCS 5/25-1, is given to the bank, transfer agent or other institution holding the asset, and is not filed as a Kankakee County court case.
The posted local template predates a 2025 statutory amendment. Do not rely on the county PDF alone. Check the current statutory affidavit and ask the institution holding the asset what it will accept before signing or presenting the affidavit.
Recent updates
| Update | What changed locally |
|---|---|
| Probate standing order updated May 20, 2026 | The standing order sets Thursday morning probate and guardianship status hearings, allows routine status hearings by Zoom without prior approval, gives each decedent estate an initial six-month status date after the order for administration and directs opening filings to the Circuit Clerk. |
| Fee schedule effective January 1, 2022 | The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's current posted schedule lists $356.00 to open a decedent estate, $2.00 for each certified copy of letters of office, no fee to file a will and local estate claim fees, all under the fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. |
| Twenty-First Judicial Circuit rules updated December 1, 2021 | The local rules for Kankakee and Iroquois Counties include Section 8 probate rules for handwritten wills, non-English wills, dormant estates and representative accounting. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Jointly owned property or beneficiary-designated assets may pass outside the court file. If Kankakee County probate is needed for assets in the decedent's sole name, e-file the petition, bring the original will to Room 209 because it cannot be e-filed, use the local will packet if there is a will, and plan for the $356.00 filing fee under the fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. | Sunset helps identify which assets pass outside probate, organizes the estate settlement file and prepares the information needed for the Kankakee County packet. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | The petition can be e-filed, and routine status hearings may be available by Zoom. If the affidavit route under 755 ILCS 5/25-1 fits, the Circuit Clerk posts a small estate affidavit template, but the affidavit is presented to the bank or other asset holder rather than filed with the court. Call before mailing any original will because the county does not publish a will-by-mail procedure. | Sunset helps decide whether a court case is necessary, finds accounts before you contact institutions and keeps address, notice and task details organized from out of state. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale of real estate usually requires letters of office, so file a Kankakee County estate and order certified letters at $2.00 each under the fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. Publish claims notice under 755 ILCS 5/18-3, coordinate with the title company, and watch the Rule 8.5 accounting deadline if administration extends beyond the first anniversary of the letters. | Sunset helps assemble asset and debt information, coordinate attorney handoff when a sale is involved and track the steps from opening through closing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Kankakee County Circuit Clerk | Filing office for estates, Room 209, Kankakee County Courthouse, 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901, (815) 936-5700. |
| Kankakee County Circuit Clerk probate forms | Local probate packets, small estate affidavit, estate claim form and related PDFs. |
| Kankakee County Circuit Clerk fee schedule | County probate fees, including the $356.00 estate filing fee and $2.00 letters of office fee, each under the fee schedule effective January 1, 2022. |
| Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Uniform Rules of Practice | Local rules for Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, including Section 8 probate rules and Rule 8.5 accounting requirements. |
| Kankakee County court notices | Standing order for the assigned probate judge, remote court instructions, electronic document standards and fee schedule links. |
| Kankakee County online case portal | County case lookup and hearing search. Use the decedent's name or the case number, then call the Circuit Clerk if the estate does not appear. |
| Prairie State Legal Services, Kankakee office | Free civil legal help for eligible low-income, elderly and vulnerable people in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. Confirm whether it can assist with the estate issue before relying on it. |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online, how do I settle an estate after someone dies | Statewide plain-language guide to Illinois estate settlement. |
| Illinois Free Legal Answers | Qualifying Illinois residents can ask a volunteer attorney a specific civil legal question and receive an answer by email. |
| Illinois Courts approved statewide standardized forms | Use for the Certification for Exemption From E-filing, fee waiver application for civil cases and Appearance. There is no statewide decedent-estate packet. |
| eFileIL | Statewide e-filing system for civil cases, including Kankakee County probate filings. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Estate settlement starts with knowing what exists. Sunset's process helps families identify accounts, insurance, real estate leads and other assets so the Kankakee County filing reflects the estate rather than guesswork.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the Kankakee County petition packet, heir and legatee details, asset lists and next-step checklist, then helps you understand what must be e-filed and what must be delivered as an original.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Kankakee County estate needs counsel, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Illinois probate attorney who works with local Circuit Clerk filings, letters of office and the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit's probate rules.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset's estate settlement tools are free for families. The goal is to reduce administrative work, help you avoid missing assets and make the Kankakee County probate process easier to manage.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for probate in Kankakee County?
File with the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk in Room 209 of the Kankakee County Courthouse, 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901. Illinois venue starts in the county where the decedent had a known place of residence, then moves to the county with the greater part of the decedent's Illinois real estate, then to the county with the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
Do I have to e-file a Kankakee County probate case?
Yes. Probate is a civil case, so e-filing is required under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(a) and Twenty-First Judicial Circuit Rule 1.8(B). A self-represented filer who cannot e-file may file the statewide Certification for Exemption From E-filing under Rule 9(d).
What do I do with the original will in Kankakee County?
An original will cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1). Kankakee County's fee schedule says wills cannot be filed electronically and there is no fee to deposit a will. Bring the original will to the Circuit Clerk in Room 209, or call (815) 936-5700 before mailing it.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Kankakee County?
The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's fee schedule effective January 1, 2022 lists $356.00 to open a decedent's estate and $2.00 for each certified copy of letters of office. Confirm the current amount with the Circuit Clerk before filing.
Are there local probate forms in Kankakee County?
Yes. The Circuit Clerk posts a will petition packet, an administration petition packet for an estate with no will, a small estate affidavit and an estate claim form. This is more local form guidance than many Illinois counties publish.
When is the probate call in Kankakee County?
The standing order for the judge assigned to probate says probate and guardianship status hearings are heard on Thursday mornings. Contested hearings may be set on Thursday afternoons or other days based on the court's and parties' availability.
Can I appear by Zoom in a Kankakee County probate case?
Routine status hearings may be attended by Zoom without prior court approval under the assigned judge's standing order. Pre-trial conferences, evidentiary hearings, contempt hearings and settlement conferences are in person unless the judge permits otherwise. Use the Circuit Clerk's Remote Court Zoom Instructions and confirm details before the hearing.
How do I look up a Kankakee County probate case?
Use the Kankakee County online case portal at https://portal.k3county.net/Portal/ and search by the decedent's name or the case number. If the estate does not appear, call the Circuit Clerk at (815) 936-5700.
Do I have to travel to Kankakee for estate settlement?
Many filings are handled through eFileIL, and routine status hearings may be available by Zoom. You may still need to travel, or arrange for someone to go, to deliver the original will, attend an in-person proceeding or handle tasks outside the court such as a real estate closing.
Can I bring my phone into the Kankakee County Courthouse?
For general court business, the courthouse does not allow cell phones, tablets or laptops. Lockers are available at the security station, so bring paper copies of anything you need at the filing counter or in court.
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.