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 Arizona, you can use an Affidavit if the total value of the personal property in the estate is $75,000 or less. There's a 30-day waiting period.  You can also use this procedure if the total value of real property (land and things attached to the land) is $100,000 or less, and all debts and taxes have been paid. This $100,000 figure is the value of the property minus the mortage and other liens on it.

    Ariz. Rev. State. Ann 14-3971, 3973, and 3974

    There's a summary probate procedure available for estates that don't exceed the value of the family allowance available in lieu of homestead, exempt property, family allowance, costs of administration, funeral expenses and last illness expenses. There's a six month waiting period.

    Ariz. Rev. State. Ann 14-3973,

     

• 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)

  • Arizona allows you to transfer real estate ad death without probate by using transfer-on-death deeds (TODDs) called "Beneficiary Deeds" under Arizona law. You sign and record the deed now, but it doesn't take effect until your death. You can revoke the deed at any time; the beneficiary you name on the deed has no rights until your death.  Selling the property revokes the beneficiary designation. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33-405 (Beneficiary Deeds). 

    Arizona's statutory TODD forms are provided by Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33-405 (K) (Beneficiary Deed); (L) (Revocation Form). 

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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. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 33-1133.

  • Illinois Homestead Exemption

    • $400,000 for real property, an apartment, or mobile home you occupy to; sale proceeds exempt 18 months after sale or until new home purchased, whichever occurs first (husband & wife may not double)

  • Illinois Vehicle Exemption

    • Up to $6,000 ($12,000, if debtor is physically disabled)

• Illinois BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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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://my.arizona.vote/PortalList.aspx
• 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 

 

Illinois Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Illinois: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $200 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $320 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Arizona, the duration of benefits depends on the state's unemployment rate when you apply. The maximum period for which you can receive benefits is 24 weeks when the unemployment rate is less than 5%, and 26 weeks when the unemployment rate is 5% or more.

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Illinois.
  • Arizona Department of Economic Security 
    • 877-600-2722
• 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 Arizona is $14.35 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Arizona must be paid at least $14.35 an hour. 

      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.

    • In Illinois, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $11.35 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $14.35 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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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
  • AZLawHelp 

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