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Pike County, IL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Pike County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, Pike County |
| Filing office | Pike County Circuit Clerk, Pike County Courthouse |
| Courthouse address | 100 East Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363 |
| Mailing address | 100 East Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363 |
| Phone | (217) 285-6612 |
| Fax | (217) 285-4726 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed holidays |
| Filing fee | The Pike County Circuit Clerk publishes a written civil filing fee schedule. Confirm the current probate filing amount with the Circuit Clerk before filing. Illinois circuit clerk fees are set under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. |
| Local forms | Pike County publishes an Estate Claim Form for filing a claim against a decedent's estate. No local petition, oath, inventory, account or small-estate-affidavit form is published by the Circuit Clerk. |
| E-filing | E-filing is required in Illinois civil cases, including probate, for filers with and without a lawyer. A self-represented filer who cannot e-file may use the Certification for Exemption From E-filing. An original will cannot be e-filed and must be delivered or mailed to the Circuit Clerk under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1). |
| Case search | Pike County uses Judici. Use https://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_search.jsp?court=IL075015J. If a decedent-estate case does not appear, call the Circuit Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | Pike County posts judge-specific Zoom information for Judge McCartney, Judge Boren and Judge Burch. Ask the Circuit Clerk which judge and courtroom are assigned before using a Zoom sheet. |
| Website | https://www.pikecountyil.org/circuit-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Pike County, identify what the decedent owned, how each asset was titled, whether there are beneficiary designations, and what debts are known. That determines whether you need a court case, what authority to request, and whether the original will must be delivered to the Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield.
Sunset's estate settlement tools include asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, which can help you avoid opening a Pike County probate case with an incomplete asset list or missing account information.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Pike County Courthouse at 100 East Washington Street in Pittsfield serves probate filings for Pike County. File with the Pike County Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield when Illinois venue points to Pike County.
Pike County sits in the Eighth Judicial Circuit with Adams, Schuyler, Mason, Cass, Brown, Calhoun and Menard Counties. That shared circuit does not send a Pike County estate to another county's courthouse. Illinois venue is the county where the decedent had a known place of residence, then the county holding the greater part of the real estate, then the county holding the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
The jurisdiction process
- Locate the will and deliver the original to the Pike County Circuit Clerk at 100 East Washington Street, Pittsfield. Anyone holding the will must file it immediately after death (755 ILCS 5/6-1), and an original will cannot be e-filed under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1).
- Prepare the petition to admit the will and issue letters of office, or the petition for administration if there is no will. File the petition through eFileIL unless you have a Rule 9 exemption. Confirm the current Pike County probate filing amount with the Circuit Clerk before filing under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b.
- Present heirship information. Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 8.1 addresses proof of heirship, including the proof needed before letters of office issue on a petition for letters of administration to collect unless the court waives it.
- Attend the hearing if the court sets one. Pike County posts judge-specific Zoom information, and Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 2.8 addresses remote civil appearances. Call the Circuit Clerk to match your case to the correct judge and courtroom before using a Zoom sheet.
- After the court appoints a representative, complete the oath and bond requirements that apply under 755 ILCS 5/12-2. Illinois generally grants independent administration under Article XXVIII when the statutory conditions are met and no proper objection changes that result (755 ILCS 5/28-2).
- Obtain letters of office from the Circuit Clerk. Letters of office give the representative authority to act for the estate under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/6-8 and Article IX).
- Give notice to heirs and legatees after the order, and publish when required by 755 ILCS 5/6-10. Keep proof of mailing and publication for the court file.
- Publish the creditor notice once each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county where the estate is administered, then file proof of publication. The claims deadline is tied to the six-month window in 755 ILCS 5/18-3.
- Inventory, collect and manage estate property. Under Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 8.3, an inventory uses item numbers that carry into the final accounting, and under independent administration under Article XXVIII the inventory is not required to be filed with the court.
- Review and resolve claims. Pike County publishes an Estate Claim Form, and Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 8.4 requires a claim based on a written instrument to include a copy of that instrument.
- Pay allowed claims, distribute remaining property and close the estate through the accounting or closing procedure that fits the type of administration under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pike County
Illinois does not have a statewide standardized decedent-estate probate form set. The statewide forms that may matter in a Pike County estate are the Certification for Exemption From E-filing, the Application for Waiver of Court Fees for civil cases and the Appearance.
Pike County's own local decedent-estate form is the Estate Claim Form published by the Pike County Circuit Clerk for filing a claim against an estate. The Circuit Clerk also publishes a written civil filing fee schedule. For a petition to open an estate, an oath, inventory, account or closing paperwork, ask the Circuit Clerk what format the court will accept or work with a Pike County probate attorney.
| Form or packet | Where it comes from | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Estate Claim Form | Pike County Circuit Clerk | Used to file a claim against a decedent's estate. A claim based on a written instrument must include a copy of that instrument under Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 8.4. |
| Certification for Exemption From E-filing | Illinois Courts approved statewide standardized forms | For a self-represented filer who cannot e-file under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(d). |
| Application for Waiver of Court Fees | Illinois Courts approved statewide standardized forms | For a civil filer asking the court to waive filing fees. |
| Appearance | Illinois Courts approved statewide standardized forms | Accepted statewide when an appearance is required. |
Local nuance
Pike County-specific considerations
Pike County probate practice includes local Eighth Judicial Circuit rules that are useful in a decedent's estate.
| Local rule | What it means in Pike County |
|---|---|
| Rule 2.8, remote proceedings | Remote appearance is addressed by Eighth Judicial Circuit rule, and Pike County posts separate Zoom information sheets by judge and courtroom. Check the assigned judge before appearing remotely. |
| Rule 8.1, heirship | On a petition for letters of administration to collect, proof of heirship must be given before letters of office issue unless the court waives it. Letters of office are issued under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/6-8 and Article IX). |
| Rule 8.3, inventory | The inventory must describe real estate, improvements, debt on real estate, cash on hand and personal estate, with item numbers carried into the final accounting. Under independent administration under Article XXVIII, the representative is not required to file the inventory with the court. |
| Rule 8.4, claims | A claim based on a written instrument must include a copy of the instrument. A representative who files a claim against the estate being administered must ask for a guardian ad litem or special administrator to defend the estate. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| Pike County civil filing fee schedule reposted July 2026 | The Circuit Clerk's civil filing fee PDF was reposted in July 2026. Confirm the current probate amount with the Pike County Circuit Clerk before filing. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Pike County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Check title first. Property in joint tenancy or with a beneficiary designation may pass outside probate. If assets were in the decedent's sole name, e-file the petition and deliver or mail the original will to the Pike County Circuit Clerk because the original cannot be e-filed. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues and documents before the spouse spends money on a court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Many steps can be handled remotely through eFileIL and phone contact with the Circuit Clerk. The original will still must reach Pittsfield, and any remote hearing depends on the assigned judge's Zoom instructions. | Sunset helps organize assets and debts so the child can decide whether a court case is needed and prepare for an efficient estate settlement. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires court authority and letters of office (755 ILCS 5/6-8). The claims notice is published under 755 ILCS 5/18-3, Pike County publishes an Estate Claim Form, and Rule 8.4 governs claims based on written instruments. | Sunset helps collect account information, prepare the family for attorney review and connect the parent with a local probate attorney when the sale requires court authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Pike County Circuit Clerk | Filing office for Pike County probate matters. Publishes the Estate Claim Form, a civil filing fee schedule, Pike County's Judici entry point and judge-specific Zoom information. | 100 East Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363. Phone (217) 285-6612. Website: https://www.pikecountyil.org/circuit-court/ |
| Pike County Legal Self-Help Center, Pittsfield Public Library | Provides computers, internet, online court forms, printing and scanning, and legal information. It does not provide legal advice. | 205 North Memorial Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363. Phone (217) 285-2200. Website: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/counties/Pike |
| Illinois Legal Aid Online, how do I settle an estate after someone dies | Statewide plain-language guide to estate settlement steps. | https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/how-do-i-settle-estate-after-someone-dies |
| Illinois Courts approved statewide standardized forms | Forms accepted by every Illinois court, including the Certification for Exemption From E-filing, fee waiver application and Appearance. There is no statewide standardized decedent-estate petition form. | https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/ |
| eFileIL | Statewide electronic filing system, with the free Odyssey eFileIL option. Pike County's own site links e-filing registration and help resources. | https://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/ |
When to hire an attorney
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 inventory before deciding what to file in Pike County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps organize the information a Pike County probate attorney or filer needs, including asset lists, family information, known debts and the original-will handoff that must go to the Circuit Clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs letters of office (755 ILCS 5/6-8), a real estate sale, claim handling or court guidance, Sunset connects families with a vetted Illinois probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset's estate settlement tools help you understand the estate, prepare for court steps and decide when local legal help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file for probate in Pike County?
File with the Pike County Circuit Clerk at the Pike County Courthouse, 100 East Washington Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363. 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 real estate, then the county with the greater part of the personal estate (755 ILCS 5/5-1).
Do I have to e-file probate papers in Pike County?
Yes. Probate is a civil case, and Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(a) requires civil documents to be e-filed unless an exception or exemption applies. A self-represented filer who cannot e-file may file the Certification for Exemption From E-filing under Rule 9(d). An original will cannot be e-filed and must be delivered or mailed to the Pike County Circuit Clerk under Rule 9(c)(1).
How much does probate cost in Pike County?
The Pike County Circuit Clerk publishes a written civil filing fee schedule, and Illinois circuit clerk fees are set under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b. Confirm the current probate filing amount with the Circuit Clerk at (217) 285-6612 before you file.
Are there local probate forms in Pike County?
Yes, but only one local decedent-estate form is published by the Pike County Circuit Clerk: an Estate Claim Form for filing a claim against an estate. Illinois does not publish a statewide standardized petition or letters-of-office packet for decedent estates, and letters of office issue under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975 after the court enters the required order (755 ILCS 5/6-8).
How do I file a claim against a Pike County estate?
Use the Pike County Estate Claim Form published by the Circuit Clerk. Under Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 8.4, a claim based on a written instrument must be accompanied by a copy of the instrument, with the original presented at hearing unless it has been lost or destroyed.
How do I look up a Pike County probate case?
Use Pike County's Judici entry point at https://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_search.jsp?court=IL075015J. If the estate case you need is not shown, call the Pike County Circuit Clerk.
Can I appear remotely in a Pike County probate matter?
Pike County posts judge-specific Zoom information sheets for Judge McCartney, Judge Boren and Judge Burch. Eighth Judicial Circuit Rule 2.8 allows remote appearances in civil matters at no fee, subject to the governing standards. Before the hearing, call the Circuit Clerk to confirm the assigned judge, courtroom and whether remote appearance is allowed for that setting.
Do I have to travel to Pittsfield to handle a Pike County estate?
Often not for filing, because probate papers are generally e-filed. The original will is different: Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9(c)(1) says an original will cannot be e-filed, so it must be delivered or mailed to the Pike County Circuit Clerk in Pittsfield.
Is the Pike County Circuit Clerk the same as the County Clerk?
No. Probate filings go to the Pike County Circuit Clerk, also called the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The County Clerk is a separate office that handles other county functions.
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.