Illinois Executor and Estate Kit: the $150,000 Small Estate Route, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in Illinois, whether named in a will or not.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in Illinois, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: Illinois Public Act 104-0346 (small estate affidavit, effective 8/15/2025) (Illinois General Assembly); 24th Judicial Circuit of Illinois: Small Estate Affidavit form (PDF); 755 ILCS 5/4-3, Signing and attestation (Illinois General Assembly).
• 6 facts aren't stated on those pages, so the kit says so and links where to check.

What is inside

• Illinois small estate route. Gross value of the personal estate, not counting motor vehicles registered with the Secretary of State, up to $150,000 for deaths on or after August 15, 2025 (Public Act 104-0346); $100,000 before. Real estate isn't counted, and the affidavit doesn't transfer it; it needs its own route. Signed before a notary. The statutory affidavit ends with a notary jurat. Small Estate Affidavit (statutory form, 755 ILCS 5/25-1). The form is set out in the statute; circuit courts post copies, like this one from the 24th Circuit. The affidavit sets aside a spouse's award of $20,000 plus $10,000 for each minor or dependent child living with the spouse; with no spouse, the children share the same amounts.
• How a Illinois will had to be signed. Two or more credible witnesses, who attest in the testator's presence.
• Illinois estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $150,000, picking the figure for the date of death, leaves real estate out of the count and leaves vehicles out.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.
• Still to confirm in Illinois. waiting period after the death, where the paperwork goes, simplified court procedure: check Illinois Public Act 104-0346 (small estate affidavit, effective 8/15/2025) (Illinois General Assembly); self-proving affidavit, if the will is handwritten, a witness who inherits: check 755 ILCS 5/4-3, Signing and attestation (Illinois General Assembly).