Free Tools and Information
for Cook County, IL Consumers

Illinois Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Illinois PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Cook County: Key information about your local probate court (Superior Court in Illinois) for Cook County.
• How Probate Works in Illinois: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Cook County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Illinois Probate Forms and the
    • Illinois State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Illinois: Learn how to use Illinois's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In California, there is an Affidavit procedure available as long as the personal property does not exceed $184,000. There's a 40-day waiting period. Cal. Prob. Code 13050.

    There's also an Affidavit procedure that you can use if you have real property worth less than $50,000 (of which there is not much in the Golden State); there's a six month waiting period for this. Cal. Prob. Code 13200 and following.

     You can also use an Affidavit to collect up to $15,000 of salary and other compensation (including unused vacation time) owed to the deceased spouse. Cal. Prob. Code 13600.

    There's also a summary probate procedure that's available for estates worth less than $150,000. This dollar value doesn't count real property outside of California, property that passes by joint tenancy, property left outright to a surviving spouse, life insurance or other assets that pass by beneficiary designation, and property held in living trusts. Cal. Prob. Code 13150 and following.

• Illinois Estate Taxes:

  • Illinois, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Illinois. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

  • California has allowed TODDs since 2016. However, it recently revised its law in 2022 and now requires a few more formalities when creating one, and for the beneficiary when claiming the property after the original dies. But it still avoids probate.

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Cook County, Illinois (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Illinois BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Illinois law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Illinois?:  

    • No. Federal exemptions not available. Instead, California has two systems of exemptions, one of which ("C2") closely mirrors the federal scheme. Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 703.130 

  • Illinois Homestead Exemption

    • $339,196 to $678,391 depending on the county, and the median sale price for a home in prior calendar year.

      2023 California Homestead Calculator (by County)

  • Illinois Vehicle Exemption

    • Motor vehicles to $7,500, or $7,500 in auto insurance for loss or damages for 90 days (husband and wife may not double)

• Illinois BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.

  California is divided into 4 federal districts with main cities in

  • San Francisco (Northern District)
  • Sacramento (Eastern Distrcit)
  • Los Angeles (Central District)
  • San Diego (Southern District)
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Illinois Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Illinois: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $40 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $450 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Illinois, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Illinois.
  • California Employment Development Department 
    • 800-300-5616
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Illinois Wage & Hour Law

  • Illinois Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in California is $16 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Golden State must be paid at least $16 an hour. 

      As of April 1, 2024, fast food workers minimum wage is $20 per hour. 

      Quite a few local governments in California have passed ordinances establishing a higher minimum wage. If you work in one of these cities or counties, you are entitled to earn the higher local minimum wage amount.

      Cook County Minimum Wage

      In Cook County, the current minimum wage is $14.00 an hour. 

      Chicago Minimum Wage

      The minimum wage in the city of Chicago is currently $15.80 if you work for an employer that has more than 20 employees, or $15 an hour if you work for an employer with four to 20 employees.

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Illinois and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Illinois. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Illinois.

    • The tipped minimum wage in California is the same as the regular minimum wage: $16 an hour. Tips don't count against the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage.

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Democracy In Illinois, Cook County, Chicago 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Cook County, IL.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Illinois Voter Registration Status: https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
• Gerrymandering in Illinois: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
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Find a Lawyer in Cook County, IL

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • LawHelpCA 

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