A decedent's estate is the property and assets of a deceased person. The term "decedent" is used in legal terms related to estates and trusts.
In Cook County, the Probate Division handles all Decedent Estates cases involving the administration of both testate and intestate estates including the following:
- Petitions for Letters of Office;
- Will Contests and Petitions for Will Construction and related Testamentary Trust Contests;
- Claims filed against the Estate;
- Citations to Discover and/or Recover Assets; and
- Petitions to establish Heirships.
For additional information, including links to important forms and how to connect with the Decedent Estate courtrooms, review the content below.
Courtrooms and Judges
The five decedent estate courtrooms are:
- Honorable Daniel O. Tiernan - Courtroom 1803, Calendar 7
- Honorable Terrence J. McGuire - Courtroom 1814, Calendar 11
- Honorable Kent A. Delgado - Courtroom 1802, Calendar 8
- Honorable James Patrick Murphy - Courtroom 1801, Calendar 25
- Honorable Carolyn Gallagher - Courtroom 1807, Calendar 2
Inquiries
Courtroom Clerks do not have phone access
For inquiries regarding courtesy copies, scheduling, zoom information and proposed orders, please first review the assigned judge’s Standing Order. You may contact Joseph Fleming at (312) 603-7546 or joseph.fleming@cookcountyil.gov or the Probate Division Staff Attorney at (312) 603-7545 or probate.divatty@cookcountyil.gov with administrative or procedural inquiries.
Court Forms
In order to access forms routinely used in the administration of decedent’s estates, click on the links below or go to Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County website to download all probate forms.
- Probate Division Cover Sheet
- Petition for Probate of Will and for Letters Testamentary
- Oath and Bond of Representative – No Surety
- Oath and Bond of Representative – Surety
- Waiver of Notice
- Order Declaring Heirship
- Order Admitting Will to Probate and Appointing Representative
- Copy of Will
- Petition for Letters of Administration
- Order Appointing Representative of Decedent’s Estate – Intestate
- Petition for Letters of Administration to Collect
- Petition for Probate of Will & for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed
- Order Converting to Independent Administration
- Order Converting to Independent Administration for the Purpose of Closing Estate
- Sample – Affidavit of Heirship (Sample #2; Sample #3)