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Peoria County, IL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Peoria County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, Peoria County |
| Filing office | Clerk of the Circuit Court of Peoria County, also called the Peoria County Circuit Clerk |
| Courthouse address | Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Room G-22, Peoria, IL 61602 |
| Mailing address | Peoria County Circuit Clerk, 324 Main Street, Room G22, Peoria, IL 61602 |
| Phone | (309) 672-6000 |
| Fax | (309) 677-6228 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is published. |
| Probate filing fee | Opening a decedent's estate is $381.00, effective November 1, 2022. An appearance is $206.00, effective November 1, 2022. Filing the original will alone has no fee under 755 ILCS 5/6-1. |
| Local forms | No Peoria County decedent-estate packet is published. The Tenth Circuit links related Illinois Supreme Court form suites and an Illinois Legal Aid Online small estate affidavit resource under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV. |
| E-filing | Peoria County accepts civil e-filings through eFileIL. Original wills are handled on paper with the Circuit Clerk, while the estate petition is e-filed with a copy of the stamped, numbered will attached. |
| Case search | Peoria County Records Portal at https://portal-ilpeoria.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. Peoria County is not on Judici. |
| Remote appearance | Routine, non-evidentiary probate hearings may be attended remotely by Zoom under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Tenth Judicial Circuit Local Rule 86. Use the Meeting ID on the hearing notice or contact the clerk. |
| Website | https://www.peoriacounty.gov/1344/Circuit-Clerk |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Peoria County, make a practical list of what the decedent owned, how each asset is titled, what debts are known, whether there is an original will, and whether any Peoria County real estate must be sold or transferred. Those facts determine whether you need a court estate, whether a small estate affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV may solve some personal-property transfers, and what information counsel needs for estate settlement.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions, which can help families find accounts before they choose a probate path. That is especially useful in Peoria County because the original will, e-filed petition, letters of office under 755 ILCS 5, creditor notice, real estate recording, and closing work all depend on knowing what assets exist.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Peoria County Courthouse in Peoria serves the whole county from one Circuit Clerk filing counter in Room G-22. The county sits in the Tenth Judicial Circuit with Marshall, Putnam, Stark, and Tazewell Counties, but venue is still county-specific. A Peoria County estate is filed in Peoria County when venue belongs there under 755 ILCS 5/5-1.
Illinois venue for probate or administration is based first on the decedent's known Illinois residence, then on the county holding the greater part of the decedent's Illinois real estate, and then on the county holding the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1). Being in the same circuit does not let a Peoria County estate be filed at another county's counter.
The same courthouse also matters when estate real estate is sold. The probate case is filed with the Circuit Clerk in Room G-22, while deeds are recorded with the Peoria County Clerk's Land Records and Recording office in Room 101.
The jurisdiction process
- Locate the original will, if one exists. File the original paper will with the Peoria County Circuit Clerk for safekeeping in Room G-22. Filing the will alone has no fee under 755 ILCS 5/6-1.
- Prepare the Peoria County probate petition and related papers. Peoria County does not publish a decedent-estate packet, so the petition for letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 must be drafted for the estate's facts.
- E-file the estate case through eFileIL. If there is a will, attach a copy of the will that has been stamped and assigned a will number by the Circuit Clerk.
- Pay the Peoria County filing fee. Opening a decedent's estate costs $381.00, effective November 1, 2022. An appearance costs $206.00, effective November 1, 2022, when an appearance fee applies.
- Get a court date through the assigned courtroom process. Peoria County probate currently sits on the Civil 3 call in Courtroom 203, but no probate call day or filing-to-hearing interval is published.
- Give required notice. Creditor notice and claim timing run under 755 ILCS 5/18-3, and proof of publication is filed with the clerk when publication is required.
- Attend the hearing. Routine, non-evidentiary probate hearings may be attended remotely by Zoom under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Tenth Judicial Circuit Local Rule 86, unless the matter is set in person, falls within a listed exception, or the judge orders in-person attendance for case-specific reasons.
- Obtain certified letters of office under 755 ILCS 5 after appointment. Peoria County prices certified letters at $2.00, effective November 1, 2022.
- Administer the estate. Collect assets, inventory property, handle claims, address taxes if needed, and record any deed with the Peoria County Clerk's Land Records and Recording office rather than the Circuit Clerk.
- Close the estate. File the required account, receipts, notices, and closing papers. Tenth Circuit rules require detailed account and notice content before a final account is approved.
Executor duties
Tenth Circuit probate rules add a few Peoria County practice points to the statewide duties of an executor or administrator. When the representative takes the oath, the representative must file an address with the clerk and keep that address current during administration.
Local inventory practice is also specific. If the estate inventory includes real estate, it must include the legal description and street address, if any. Claims based on a written instrument should have a copy attached, and estate accounts must report changes in who is entitled to a distributive share. These local rules matter when Sunset helps organize estate settlement tasks before counsel files or closes the case.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Peoria County
Peoria County does not publish a decedent-estate probate packet, petition for letters of office, inventory, claim, refunding bond, or final-account form. A petition to admit a will or open an estate must be prepared for filing with the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
| Form or resource | Where it comes from | How it is used locally |
|---|---|---|
| Estate petition and supporting probate papers | No Peoria County packet is published | Prepared for e-filing in the Peoria County case, with any original will first filed on paper for safekeeping. |
| Appearance | Illinois Supreme Court form suite linked by the Tenth Circuit | Used when a party appears in the Peoria County probate case. |
| Circuit Court Certification for Exemption from E-Filing | Illinois Supreme Court form suite linked by the Tenth Circuit | Used when a self-represented filer asks to be excused from e-filing for good cause. |
| Application for Waiver of Court Fees | Illinois Supreme Court form suite linked by the Tenth Circuit | Used when a filer asks the court to waive filing costs. |
| Remote Hearing Request Form | Tenth Judicial Circuit form | Used when a hearing is otherwise set in person and a participant asks to attend remotely. |
| Small estate affidavit | Illinois Legal Aid Online resource linked by the Tenth Circuit | Used outside court for qualifying personal property under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, not as a Peoria County estate-opening petition. |
The Tenth Circuit states that electronic court forms must be saved as PDFs.
Fees
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Open a decedent's estate, case category PR | $381.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Appearance | $206.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Missing person case | $381.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Wrongful death or collection of judgment case | $281.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Petition to reopen an estate before 30 days after judgment | No fee, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Petition to reopen an estate after 30 days after judgment | $75.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Account other than the final account | $25.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Claim of $150 but less than $500 | $25.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Claim of $500 but less than $10,000 | $40.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Claim of $10,000 or more | $60.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Certified letters of office | $2.00, effective November 1, 2022 |
| Certified mailing | $10.00 plus postage, effective November 1, 2022 |
The Peoria County Circuit Clerk's fee schedule says fees are paid at the time of filing. Newspaper publication costs are paid to the newspaper, not to the Circuit Clerk.
Timeline
- Before filing, check the hearing notice and current courtroom assignment. Peoria County probate currently sits on the Civil 3 call in Courtroom 203, but assignments can change.
- When opening an estate, e-file the petition through eFileIL after any original will has been filed on paper with the Circuit Clerk and stamped with a will number.
- After filing, get scheduling information through the assigned courtroom process. Peoria County does not publish a probate call day, call time, or filing-to-hearing interval.
- For a routine, non-evidentiary probate hearing, use the Zoom Meeting ID on the hearing notice or get meeting details from the Tenth Circuit remote-hearing page or the Circuit Clerk.
- If a proceeding is otherwise scheduled to be in person and you want to attend remotely, make the Tenth Circuit Rule 86 request in writing or in person at least three business days before the proceeding.
- Check holiday closures before choosing a filing or hearing date. The 2026 Peoria County schedule includes some days when the courthouse is open but no court is held.
Local nuance
Peoria County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Peoria County estate |
|---|---|
| Original will handling | The original paper will is filed with the Circuit Clerk for safekeeping. The clerk's FAQ says the will is stamped and assigned a will number, and a copy of that stamped, numbered will is e-filed with the probate petition. |
| Remote appearance | Routine, non-evidentiary PR hearings may be attended remotely by Zoom under Rule 45 and Tenth Circuit Local Rule 86. A three-business-day request is for a proceeding otherwise set in person. |
| Current courtroom assignment | Peoria County probate currently sits on the Civil 3 call in Courtroom 203, with chancery, foreclosure, miscellaneous remedies, and evictions. Assignments can change, so follow the hearing notice. |
| No published probate call day | The circuit publishes the courtroom assignment, but it does not publish a Peoria County probate call day, call time, or filing-to-hearing interval. |
| Estate real estate | Estate court filings go to the Circuit Clerk, but a deed after a sale or transfer is recorded with the County Clerk's Land Records and Recording office in Room 101. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Peoria County fee schedule | The Circuit Clerk publishes a Peoria County Circuit Clerk Fee Schedule effective November 1, 2022, including a $381.00 estate filing fee, effective November 1, 2022, and a $206.00 appearance fee, effective November 1, 2022. |
| Remote appearance framing | Tenth Judicial Circuit Local Rule 86 allows remote appearances in civil matters consistent with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45. The three-business-day request applies when the proceeding is otherwise scheduled to be in person. |
| Original will handling | Peoria County explains that the original will is filed with the Circuit Clerk for safekeeping, then a copy of the stamped, numbered will is e-filed with the petition. |
| Case search | The local case-search tool is the Peoria County Records Portal, not Judici. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Peoria County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming how the Peoria County home is titled and whether any assets are solely in the decedent's name. If no court estate is needed for the home, the spouse may still need the Circuit Clerk for the original will or certified papers for other assets. | Sunset helps identify accounts, collect title information, organize debts, and decide whether estate settlement can stay outside a full court case or needs a Peoria County filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate is limited to qualifying personal property, an Illinois small estate affidavit under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV may be used outside court. If a Peoria County estate is needed, e-filing and remote appearance can reduce travel, but the original will still must be handled with the Circuit Clerk. | Sunset helps find assets, prepare the family information, coordinate local filing steps, and connect the child with Peoria County counsel if court papers are needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A court estate is usually needed when Peoria County real estate must be sold from the estate. The probate case is filed with the Circuit Clerk, while the deed after sale is recorded with the Peoria County Clerk's Land Records and Recording office in Room 101. | Sunset helps gather asset and debt information, identify heirs, organize sale-related documents, and connect the parent with an attorney for the Peoria County probate and deed steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria County Circuit Clerk | Filing office for Peoria County estates, original wills, filing fees, case files, and certified letters of office under 755 ILCS 5. | Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Room G-22, Peoria, IL 61602. Phone (309) 672-6000. |
| Peoria County Legal Self-Help Center | Provides court forms, print materials, computers, online resources, and court navigator help. Staff cannot give legal advice. | Room 211, Peoria County Courthouse. Phone (309) 672-6084. Email [email protected]. |
| Peoria County Law Library | Public law library with Illinois and federal law, practice handbooks, form books, reporters, and treatises. | Room 211, Peoria County Courthouse. Phone (309) 672-6084. Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Peoria County Pro Bono Help Desk | One-time 30-minute online consultation with a volunteer lawyer for eligible self-represented people in civil, non-criminal matters. The lawyer gives advice but does not take over representation. | Sign up through the Tenth Circuit Help Desk page or at the Legal Self-Help Center. |
| Prairie State Legal Services, Peoria office | Legal aid program serving Peoria County. Confirm whether it can help with the specific estate issue. | 101 SW Adams St., Suite 800, Peoria, IL 61602. Phone (309) 674-9831. Toll free (800) 322-2280. |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online | Statewide legal information and automated resources, including the small estate affidavit resource under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV linked by the Tenth Circuit. | https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/small-estate-affidavit |
| Illinois Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal questions answered by volunteer lawyers for eligible users. | https://il.freelegalanswers.org |
| Peoria County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Local lawyer referral resource listed by the Tenth Circuit for people looking for an attorney. | https://www.peoriabar.org |
| Illinois Court Help | Court-process and e-filing help line listed in Tenth Circuit e-filing materials. It does not give legal advice. | Call or text 1-833-411-1121. Website: https://ilcourthelp.gov |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may affect the Peoria County probate path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information families need for estate settlement, including heirs, assets, debts, court addresses, fee notes, and the original-will handling steps used by the Peoria County Circuit Clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Peoria County estate needs court filings, real estate work, creditor handling, or contested issues, Sunset helps connect the family with probate counsel familiar with Illinois practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. If attorney help is needed, the lawyer's fees are handled separately with that lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Peoria County?
File with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Peoria County at the Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Room G-22, Peoria, IL 61602. Peoria County probate is a PR case category on the Circuit Court civil docket.
Does Peoria County have a separate probate division?
No. Outside Cook County, Illinois probate is generally a case category in the Circuit Court. In Peoria County, PR cases are handled through the Civil Division and currently sit on the Civil 3 call in Courtroom 203.
How much does it cost to open a Peoria County estate?
The published Peoria County Circuit Clerk fee schedule prices opening a decedent's estate at $381.00, effective November 1, 2022. An appearance is $206.00, effective November 1, 2022. Certified letters of office cost $2.00, effective November 1, 2022.
Is there a fee to file only the original will in Peoria County?
No. Filing the original will alone has no fee under 755 ILCS 5/6-1. Opening an estate is separate and is the filing that carries the $381.00 estate fee, effective November 1, 2022.
Can I e-file a Peoria County probate case?
Yes. Peoria County accepts civil e-filings through eFileIL. The original will itself is handled on paper with the Circuit Clerk for safekeeping, then a copy of the stamped, numbered will is e-filed with the petition.
Can I attend a Peoria County probate hearing by Zoom?
For routine, non-evidentiary probate hearings, yes. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45 and Tenth Judicial Circuit Local Rule 86 allow remote attendance in civil matters without advance approval, subject to listed exceptions such as evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, trials, and contempt proceedings. If your hearing notice sets the matter in person and you want to attend remotely, use the Tenth Circuit request process at least three business days before the proceeding.
How do I look up a Peoria County probate case?
Use the Peoria County Records Portal at https://portal-ilpeoria.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. Search by party name or case number. Peoria County is not on Judici.
Are there Peoria County probate forms?
No Peoria County decedent-estate packet is published. The Tenth Circuit links related court form suites, the e-filing exemption form, the fee-waiver form, a remote-hearing request form, and the Illinois Legal Aid Online small estate affidavit resource under 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV.
Do I have to travel to Peoria for every probate hearing?
Not necessarily. Routine, non-evidentiary probate hearings can generally be attended remotely by Zoom under Rule 45 and Local Rule 86. The hearing notice, the assigned courtroom, and any case-specific order control what you must do for a particular date.
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.