Probate Division

Guardianship involves the appointment by a court of a legally responsible individual or agency on behalf of a person who is not able to independently manage his or her affairs due to a mental or physical disability or minor status (person under the age of 18). 

Guardianship Assistance Desk for Minors can provide services to the following:

• Petitioners who are representing themselves ("pro-se") 
• Relatives seeking legal guardianship of a minor (person) in Cook County, IL. Petitioners must be at least 18 years of age, be of sound mind & be a resident of the United States.
• Parents seeking to discharge a legal guardianship of a minor established in Cook County, IL.
• Our office is not authorized to assist with guardianship of a financial estate involving money (i.e. inheritance, life insurance, etc).

Call 312-603-0135 to schedule an appointment 

Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
George W. Dunne Building
69 W. Washington St.
Suite 1020
Appointment Required

With adoption, birth parents give up all rights and responsibilities for the child. With guardianship, parents keep some of these rights and responsibilities. For instance, with a guardianship, parents can visit the child or challenge the guardian's power, and they can get custody back by going to court. Also, if able, the parents must contribute money to support the child. The guardian can seek this support in Child Support Court.

A petition for guardianship (with the appropriate filing fee) must be filed in the Clerk's Office. Once guardianship papers (the petition) are filed with the court, the process takes about six to ten weeks. This time is used to let the parents (or interested party) become aware of all the proceedings. If the parents do not need to be given notice, it only takes about six to eight weeks. If they have to be informed by mail or by publication (in a newspaper), it takes six to ten weeks. Please note that the court will also do a background check and an abuse and neglect check on the prospective guardian(s), and this may take between four to six weeks to complete. The judge reviews the petition and the background check that has been conducted on all potential guardians. Finally, the judge will make the determination of who will be appointed guardian of a minor.

For further information and assistance, contact The Office of the Chief Judge - Chicago Volunteer Legal Services - Guardianship Assistance Desk for Minors at the following address and telephone number:

69 W. Washington St., Room 1020
Chicago, IL 60602
312-603-0135

Yes, if the order being sought is in conjunction with a minor or disabled case.

There is no fee for filing a will. 

There are 3 ways to file a Will in Probate with our Office

1. In Person by coming to our main Office at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602
2. By Mail to our main Office, ATTN: Probate Division, Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Room 1202, Chicago, IL 60602.
3. In Person by going to any of our 5 offices

The process of filing a Will:

1. The section marked “received from” is the Firm or Customer who brings in the Will. The top two lines are for a name and telephone number.
2. The Decedent is the name written on the Will in the spot indicating instrument. 
3. Containing is the number of pages. Always count the pages to ensure there are no missing pages or out of order pages. If there are any infractions, it must be indicated on the Will Card. Do not include the cover page as part of the total pages.
4. The section mark dated is the date the Will was created. It is usually found on one of the last two pages of the Will. 
5. Date of death is the date the decedent died. A Will cannot be filed without a date of death. Please provide the Office a copy of the death certificate.
6. If the filer requests a certified copy(s), then they must pay in cash, check, or money order. The cost for copies is $2.00 for the first page and $.50 for each page after, up to 25 pages. After 25 pages, the fee is $.25 per page. The cost for certification is $2.00 per certification.
7. The customer will pay the cashier and present the receipt to the clerk, and then receive the certified copy(s).

1.    To open a Probate Estate, you need to first hire an attorney. See here for a list of free or low cost legal services.
2.    Your attorney will complete the necessary  court forms and electronically file them in our eFile system.  
3.    The cost for filing is $479.00
4.    Your attorney will inform you of scheduled court hearings for you to attend.
5.    After the judge in your case enters an Order Appointing Representative of Decedent’s Estate- Intestate, the Clerk’s Office will issue you Letters of Administration.
6.    Your attorney will submit an Order of Release for the judge to sign.
7.    Take the signed Order of Release and the Letters of Administration to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, 118 N. Clerk Street (the County/City Hall Building across the Street with the Greek columns). 
8.    The Cook County Recorder of Deeds will change the name on the Deed.