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Macoupin County, IL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Macoupin County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, sitting in Macoupin County |
| Filing office | Macoupin County Circuit Clerk, Probate Division phone extension |
| Courthouse address | 201 East Main Street, Carlinville, IL 62626 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 197, Carlinville, IL 62626-0197 |
| Probate phone | (217) 854-3211 ext. 712 |
| General civil phone | (217) 854-3211 ext. 713 |
| Fax | (217) 854-7361 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No lunch closure is listed. |
| Filing fee | Probate of will filing fee is $374.00, effective October 1, 2025. Probate answer or entry of appearance is $199.00, effective October 1, 2025. |
| Local forms | The Circuit Clerk posts a Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV. No local decedent-estate petition packet is posted. |
| E-filing | Civil probate petitions generally use eFileIL. An original will is delivered or mailed to the Circuit Clerk because wills are excluded from e-filing under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1). |
| Case search | Macoupin County participates in Judici, court code IL059015J. |
| Remote appearance | Routine non-evidentiary civil matters may proceed remotely under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Seventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 23-2, subject to the assigned judge and the order's exceptions. |
| Website | macoupincountyil.gov, Circuit Court Clerk page |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Macoupin County, identify the assets, debts, beneficiaries, and any original will. A clear inventory helps you decide whether the family needs a court estate, a Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, or attorney guidance before filing.
Sunset's estate settlement tools include asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, so you can find accounts before choosing the Macoupin County filing path. That preparation helps avoid opening a case too early or missing property that changes the plan.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Macoupin County courthouse in Carlinville serves estate matters filed in Macoupin County. Although the Seventh Judicial Circuit also includes Greene, Jersey, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott Counties, venue is determined by county, not by the circuit as a whole.
Under Illinois probate venue rules, file in the county of the decedent's known residence. If there was no known Illinois residence, file where the greater part of the Illinois real estate was located, and if that does not apply, where the greater part of the Illinois personal estate was located (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
The jurisdiction process
- Start by locating the original will, listing known assets and debts, and confirming that Macoupin County is the proper venue under 755 ILCS 5/5-1. If the family is using a Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV instead of opening a court estate, present that affidavit to the property holder rather than filing it as a probate petition.
- Prepare the petition and related probate papers for the appointment requested. Macoupin County posts a Small Estate Affidavit, but it does not post a local decedent-estate petition packet.
- File the probate petition through eFileIL for the Macoupin County Circuit Court case. If there is an original will, deliver or mail it to the Circuit Clerk at 201 East Main Street, Carlinville, IL 62626, or P.O. Box 197, Carlinville, IL 62626-0197, because wills are excluded from e-filing under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1).
- Pay the Macoupin County filing charge when the estate is opened. The probate of will filing fee is $374.00, effective October 1, 2025. A probate answer or entry of appearance is $199.00, effective October 1, 2025.
- Give notice as required for the type of filing. Creditor notice in a decedent's estate is handled under 755 ILCS 5/18-3, including publication and notice to known or reasonably ascertainable creditors when required.
- After filing, use the clerk's Probate Division extension, (217) 854-3211 ext. 712, to confirm the assigned hearing date, judge instructions, and whether any paper courtesy copies are needed.
- For the hearing, check whether the setting qualifies for remote attendance. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Seventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 23-2 allow remote participation for routine non-evidentiary civil matters, but first appearances, evidentiary hearings, default matters, and other listed exceptions may be handled differently.
- If the court appoints an executor or administrator, request letters of office under 755 ILCS 5. Macoupin County lists letters of office at $2.00 each for 1 to 3 pages, effective October 1, 2025, and $1.00 each for 4 or more pages, effective October 1, 2025.
- Administer the estate, collect assets, address claims, distribute property, and close the matter. If the order grants independent administration under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXVIII, the representative has broader authority without repeated court orders unless the Act, the will, or the judge requires more supervision.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Macoupin County
The Macoupin County Circuit Clerk posts a Small Estate Affidavit for use under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV. That affidavit is not the same thing as opening a court estate, and it is presented to the property holder rather than used as a petition for letters of office under 755 ILCS 5.
No local decedent-estate petition, proposed order, oath, inventory, accounting, or closing packet is posted for Macoupin County. For a court-filed estate, use Illinois probate pleadings that fit the case and file them with the Circuit Clerk in Carlinville through the required filing method.
Fees
| Macoupin County fee item | Amount | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Probate of will filing fee | $374.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Probate answer or entry of appearance | $199.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Adult guardianship filing fee | $274.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Minor guardianship | No filing or appearance charge listed | October 1, 2025 |
| Petition to sell | $60.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Current account | $25.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Claims on estates, $150.00 to $500.00 | $25.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Claims on estates, $501.00 to $10,000.00 | $40.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Claims on estates, over $10,000.00 | $60.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Letters of office under 755 ILCS 5, 1 to 3 pages | $2.00 each | October 1, 2025 |
| Letters of office under 755 ILCS 5, 4 or more pages | $1.00 each | October 1, 2025 |
| Certified copies | $6.00 per copy plus copy charges | October 1, 2025 |
Local nuance
Macoupin County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Macoupin County |
|---|---|
| Probate extension | The Circuit Clerk lists a Probate Division phone extension, (217) 854-3211 ext. 712, for probate questions at the Carlinville office. |
| Original will | The petition can be handled through civil e-filing, but the original will is delivered or mailed to the Circuit Clerk because Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1) excludes wills from e-filing. |
| Remote hearings | Seventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 23-2 uses Zoom for eligible remote hearings. Routine non-evidentiary probate settings may be remote, but the assigned judge and the order's exceptions control. |
| Public docket | Macoupin County participates in Judici under court code IL059015J. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Macoupin County fee schedule effective October 1, 2025 | The Circuit Clerk's filing fee schedule lists probate of will at $374.00, effective October 1, 2025, and probate answer or entry of appearance at $199.00, effective October 1, 2025. |
| Seventh Judicial Circuit remote hearing order | Administrative Order 23-2 sets Zoom procedures for eligible remote hearings in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Macoupin County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming how title is held and whether any assets remain in the decedent's name alone. If a court estate is needed, file with the Macoupin County Circuit Clerk in Carlinville and request letters of office under 755 ILCS 5. | Sunset helps gather deeds, account information, debts, and beneficiary details so the spouse can decide whether a court filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate qualifies for a Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, the child may be able to use the affidavit with banks or other holders instead of opening a Macoupin County court estate. If a filing is needed, civil probate petitions generally use eFileIL, while the original will is mailed or delivered to Carlinville. | Sunset helps the child find accounts, organize the asset list, and prepare for remote or in-person steps with the Circuit Clerk. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home that must be sold usually points toward a court estate in Macoupin County. The representative files the petition, attends the assigned hearing, obtains letters of office under 755 ILCS 5, and follows any court requirements for sale authority. | Sunset helps organize property, debts, heirs, and documents, then connects the family with a vetted Illinois probate attorney if sale authority or disputes make counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Macoupin County Circuit Clerk | Filing office for probate matters, fee schedule, Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, Judici link, and Probate Division phone extension. | 201 East Main Street, Carlinville, IL 62626. Probate phone: (217) 854-3211 ext. 712. |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, Western Regional Office | Legal aid provider serving Macoupin County for eligible residents. | 111 East Fourth Street, Suite 330, Alton, IL 62002. Phone: (618) 462-0029 or (800) 642-5570. |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online, Macoupin County page | Legal information, referrals, and Macoupin County self-help center listing. | illinoislegalaid.org/counties/Macoupin |
| Carlinville Public Library legal self-help center | Computers, internet and WiFi, online court forms, legal information, referrals to legal services, printers, and scanners. | 510 North Broad Street, Carlinville, IL 62626. Phone: (217) 854-3505. |
When to hire an attorney
Attorney help makes sense in a Macoupin County estate when real estate must be sold, creditor claims are disputed, heirs do not agree, a will contest is possible, or the representative needs full letters of office under 755 ILCS 5. Illinois estate representatives act for heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors, so many court-filed estates need legal guidance even when the family handles much of the estate settlement work. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when a Macoupin County probate matter needs counsel.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank, investment, retirement, insurance, and other accounts that may affect a Macoupin County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps organize the family information, asset list, debt details, and court-ready materials needed to prepare for a Macoupin County filing.
Find a local probate attorney. When a court-filed estate needs counsel, Sunset connects families with a vetted Illinois probate attorney familiar with Circuit Court filings.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand next steps, collect estate information, and move the estate settlement forward without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Macoupin County?
File with the Macoupin County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Carlinville. The street address is 201 East Main Street, Carlinville, IL 62626, and the mailing address is P.O. Box 197, Carlinville, IL 62626-0197.
Which court handles a Macoupin County estate?
Macoupin County estates are handled by the Circuit Court of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Venue is county-based: file in the county where the decedent lived, or if there was no known Illinois residence, where the greater part of the Illinois real estate or personal estate was located (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
Can I e-file a Macoupin County probate case?
Civil probate petitions generally use eFileIL. An original will is different: wills are excluded from e-filing under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1), so deliver or mail the original will to the Circuit Clerk.
What is the Macoupin County probate filing fee?
The Macoupin County fee schedule lists the probate of will filing fee as $374.00, effective October 1, 2025. A probate answer or entry of appearance is listed as $199.00, effective October 1, 2025.
Does Macoupin County have local probate forms?
The Circuit Clerk posts a Small Estate Affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV. The clerk does not post a local decedent-estate petition packet for opening a probate estate.
Can I appear by Zoom in a Macoupin County probate matter?
Routine non-evidentiary civil matters may proceed remotely under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Seventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 23-2. The order uses Zoom, and the assigned judge controls the hearing. First appearances, evidentiary hearings, default matters, and other listed matters may be treated differently.
How do I look up a Macoupin County probate case?
Macoupin County participates in Judici. Use the Macoupin court code IL059015J on Judici to search the public docket information that the site makes available.
How do I get letters of office in Macoupin County?
Letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 are issued after the court appoints an executor or administrator. The Macoupin County fee schedule lists letters of office at $2.00 each for 1 to 3 pages, effective October 1, 2025, and $1.00 each for 4 or more pages, effective October 1, 2025.
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.