Estate Administration
Probate
Administration
When someone passes, the court-supervised work of settling their estate falls to you. We guide executors and administrators through every step.
- Executor & administrator counsel
- Illinois & Missouri
- Creditor claims
- From filing to closing
After a death
A steady hand through a court-supervised process.
Probate is the court process of settling someone's estate — proving the will, appointing an executor or administrator, paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing what remains. It arrives at the worst possible time, with real legal duties attached.
We represent the people in charge, handling the filings, deadlines, and court requirements so you can focus on your family rather than the paperwork. We handle estates in both Illinois and Missouri — Monroe, St. Clair, Madison, and surrounding Illinois counties, as well as St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, and surrounding Missouri counties.
What we handle
The executor's load, carried with you
Open the estate
File the will, qualify the executor or administrator, and obtain authority to act.
Notice & claims
Notify heirs and creditors and resolve claims against the estate properly.
Inventory & accounting
Identify and value assets and keep the records the court requires.
Distribute & close
Pay what's owed, distribute what remains, and formally close the estate.
How it works
The path through probate
- 1
Open the estate
We file the will (if any), petition the court, and get the executor or administrator appointed.
- 2
Notice to heirs & creditors
Required notices go out, and we handle the creditor claim period and any disputes.
- 3
Inventory, claims & accountings
We marshal and value assets, pay valid debts and taxes, and report to the court.
- 4
Distribution & closing
Remaining assets pass to the heirs or beneficiaries, and the estate is formally closed.
In both Illinois and Missouri, probate typically runs a statutory minimum of around six months and often longer. We keep it moving and keep you out of avoidable missteps.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does probate take?
In Illinois — and similarly in Missouri — at least six months by statute, and commonly nine to fifteen months or more depending on the estate's complexity, creditor claims, and whether any disputes arise.
How much does probate cost?
Costs come out of the estate and include court fees, publication, possible bond, and attorney fees. Our minimum fee for a probate administration is $6,000, with more complex estates running higher.
Do all estates have to go through probate?
No. Assets in a funded trust, jointly held property, and accounts with beneficiary designations pass outside probate. Smaller estates may qualify for a simplified small-estate affidavit instead.
What happens if there's no will?
The estate passes by intestacy — a fixed statutory order — and the court appoints an administrator. We can represent that administrator through the same process.
Get guidance settling an estate
A free 15-minute call to understand what's ahead and how we can help you carry it.