Cook County Probate Forms—Direct Links & Plain-English Uses
Handling a probate or adult-guardianship matter at the Daley Center in the Loop? This page puts every Cook County probate form in one place for filers in Chicago and nearby suburbs. Click any form number to download the official PDF from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The list covers decedent estates and adult guardianships only and excludes forms for minors.
While having the forms is a critical first step, the legal processes involved with filing can be challenging. Many people find it helpful to consult with an estate planning attorney in Chicago to ensure everything is filed correctly. Whether you are in River North, Lincoln Park, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, Lakeview, Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Schaumburg, or Tinley Park, you will find the exact paperwork you need right here.
Not sure which form to file or how to meet Cook County deadlines and bond or notice requirements? A skilled Chicago estate planning attorney at Illinois Estate Law can provide a step-by-step guide to probate and help you navigate probate procedures, guiding you from opening the estate to closing the file. Call (312) 373-0731 or contact us online to start today.
1 | Open the Estate
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0199 – Probate Division Cover Sheet | File this with every first petition so the clerk can docket and assign the correct calendar. |
| CCP 0315 – Petition for Probate of Will & Letters Testamentary | Use when there is a will. It starts the estate and nominates the executor. |
| CCP 0302 – Petition for Letters of Administration | This opens an intestate estate (no will) and asks the judge to appoint an administrator. |
| CCP 0301 – Petition for Letters to Collect | Used when there’s a delay in issuing regular letters and the estate is at risk of waste/loss, or for a missing person. |
| CCP 0319 – Order Admitting Will & Appointing Representative | This is the form the judge signs to admit the will and issue Letters of Office. |
2 | Oaths & Bonds
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0307 – Oath & Bond (No Surety) | File this when the will waives bond or all heirs consent to waive surety. |
| CCP 0308 – Oath & Bond (Surety) | This is used if bond is required; please attach corporate-surety paperwork. |
3 | Notice & Publication
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 1020 – Notice of Probate to Heirs & Legatees | Mail within 14 days after entry of the order admitting (or denying) the will or appointing a representative. Keep a copy of your Letters and the stamped notice handy if you’ll be appearing at the Daley Center (Loop) for early motions. |
| CCP 1004 – Notice to Interested Parties | Pre-hearing notice mailed at least 30 days before the hearing to persons with equal or prior right to administer (or to nominate), in petitions for letters of administration or letters with will annexed. |
| CCP 0421 – Notice of Probate (Real-Estate Recording) | Record with the Cook County Clerk’s recording office to protect buyer/creditor rights in real property. Estates with condos or multi-units in Lakeview, Uptown, Hyde Park, or Bronzeville often record this notice before listing or refinancing. |
4 | Inventory & Ongoing Administration
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0334 – Inventory | This lists all probate assets within 60 days of appointment. |
| CCP 1017 – Account / Receipt Packet | This is a beneficiary’s receipt/approval acknowledging distribution and receipt of the Inventory, Account, and Final Report. |
| CCP 0389 – Refunding Bond | This requires each heir to sign before distribution; it promises to return over-payments. |
5 | Creditor Claims & Estate Tax
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0345 – Claim | Claims are due by the date in the published/mailed notice: not less than 6 months from first publication or 3 months from mailing/delivery to known creditors, whichever is later; separate two-year outside limitations may also apply under §18-12. |
6 | Independent Administration Tools
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0503 – Order Converting Estate to Independent Administration | All heirs must consent (or the will requests it) if you want fewer court approvals. |
| CCP 1011 – Final Report of Independent Representative | This closes an independent estate; attach receipts, distribute, and request discharge. |
7 | Misc. Court Bonds & Citations
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0361 – Bond for Sale/Mortgage (Surety) | This is required before selling or mortgaging estate real estate when surety is ordered. |
| CCP 0362 – Bond for Sale/Mortgage (No Surety) | This serves the same purpose when heirs waive a surety bond. |
| CCP 0368 – Citation | This launches a citation to discover or recover assets if property is missing. |
| CCP 0324 – Commission for Deposition of Will Witness | This is used when a subscribing witness lives outside Cook County. |
| CCP 0325 – Deposition of Will Witness | The witness completes this deposition transcript; it should attach to will filing. |
8 | Adult Guardianship (Disabled Person)
| Form # | When you need it |
|---|---|
| CCP 0200 – Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Person with a Disability | This form starts an adult-guardianship case in the Probate Division. |
| CCP 0211 – Report of Physician | Cook County’s physician’s report form; evaluations must have been performed within 3 months of the date the guardianship petition is filed. |
| CCP 0207 – Order Appointing Limited Guardian | This is the judge’s order naming the guardian and issuing Letters. |
| CCP 0222 – Guardian’s Annual Report | This describes the ward’s health, living situation, and care plan. This is due every year. |
| CCP 0232 – Fingerprint / Background-Check Packet | Background checks may be ordered in adult-guardianship cases; Cook County provides court instructions for obtaining fingerprint-based checks. |
| Section | Form # | Form Use / Filing Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open the Estate | CCP 0199 – Probate Division Cover Sheet | Filed with the first petition to classify and docket the case properly. |
| CCP 0315 – Petition for Probate of Will & Letters Testamentary | Starts a probate when there’s a will and nominates an executor. | |
| CCP 0302 – Petition for Letters of Administration | Opens an intestate estate and requests appointment of an administrator. | |
| CCP 0301 – Petition for Letters to Collect | Used when there’s delay in issuing regular letters or assets are at risk. | |
| CCP 0319 – Order Admitting Will & Appointing Representative | Judge’s order that admits the will and appoints the representative. | |
| Oaths & Bonds | CCP 0307 – Oath & Bond (No Surety) | Used when bond is waived by will or by all heirs. |
| CCP 0308 – Oath & Bond (Surety) | Filed when bond is required; must include surety paperwork. | |
| Notice & Publication | CCP 1020 – Notice of Probate to Heirs & Legatees | Mailed within 14 days of appointment or will admission. |
| CCP 1004 – Notice to Interested Parties | Mailed 30+ days before hearing to those with right to administer. | |
| CCP 0421 – Notice of Probate (Real-Estate Recording) | Filed with Recorder’s Office to protect real estate interests. | |
| Inventory & Ongoing Administration | CCP 0334 – Inventory | Lists estate assets; due within 60 days of appointment. |
| CCP 1017 – Account / Receipt Packet | Acknowledges receipt of inventory and distributions. | |
| CCP 0389 – Refunding Bond | Heirs promise to return any overpaid amounts. | |
| Creditor Claims & Estate Tax | CCP 0345 – Claim | Used by creditors; must be filed by statutory deadline. |
| Independent Administration Tools | CCP 0503 – Order Converting Estate to Independent Administration | Heirs must consent unless the will already permits it. |
| CCP 1011 – Final Report of Independent Representative | Closes the estate; includes receipts and final report. | |
| Misc. Court Bonds & Citations | CCP 0361 – Bond for Sale/Mortgage (Surety) | Required when selling or mortgaging with court-ordered surety. |
| CCP 0362 – Bond for Sale/Mortgage (No Surety) | Used when heirs waive the need for a surety bond. | |
| CCP 0368 – Citation | Used to recover or locate missing estate assets. | |
| CCP 0324 – Commission for Deposition of Will Witness | Allows a will witness outside Cook County to be deposed. | |
| CCP 0325 – Deposition of Will Witness | Completed transcript submitted by the witness. | |
| Adult Guardianship (Disabled Person) | CCP 0200 – Petition for Appointment of Guardian | Starts guardianship for a disabled adult. |
| CCP 0211 – Report of Physician | Medical report required within 90 days of petition filing. | |
| CCP 0207 – Order Appointing Limited Guardian | Official order appointing guardian and issuing letters. | |
| CCP 0222 – Guardian’s Annual Report | Yearly update on the ward’s condition and care. | |
| CCP 0232 – Fingerprint / Background-Check Packet | Used when court requires background checks for guardians. |
Chicago Estate Planning Attorney – Illinois Estate Law
Mary Liberty
Mary Liberty is a Chicago-based estate planning and probate attorney who brings modern accessibility and genuine care to every matter. She founded a fully virtual, flat-fee practice to make thoughtful planning straightforward and budget-predictable for Illinois families, with no hourly bills, no hidden fees, and no office visit required. From consultation to signed documents, clients can complete the process online with clear timelines and plain-language guidance.
Her work centers on comprehensive estate plans, uncontested probate, and a unique partial-probate service that helps clients seamlessly transition from prior counsel when communication or costs stall progress. Known for responsiveness and precision, Mary supports young parents naming first-time guardians, blended families with complex dynamics, and busy professionals who value efficient, stress-free counsel.
Getting the Help of a Skilled Attorney in Cook County
Handling Cook County probate paperwork or an adult-guardianship filing can feel overwhelming, especially if you are appearing at the Daley Center for the first time. A skilled Chicago estate planning and probate attorney from Illinois Estate Law can prepare the correct forms, keep you on the right calendar, meet notice and publication deadlines, and streamline the process for estates and adult guardianships across the city and suburban Cook.
Whether you are opening a decedent’s estate, converting to independent administration, recording notices for real estate, or securing a plenary guardianship, our team can guide you from the first petition to final discharge. We can work with executors, administrators, and proposed guardians to complete Cook County Clerk and Circuit Court requirements efficiently, with clear fees and practical communication.
Get experienced help with Cook County probate paperwork and adult guardianship, so you can focus on your family while we handle the filings. Call Illinois Estate Law at (312) 373-0731 to speak with a Chicago probate lawyer today.
