--- title: Probate --- [**Phone:** (773) 983-9117](tel:773-983-9117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302, Glenview, IL 60025 [![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png)](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/home-page?hsLang=en) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![logo-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-1.png) - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Estate Planning](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/) - [Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/) - [Trusts](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/trusts/) - [Powers of Attorney for Health Care](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-health-care/) - [Powers of Attorney for Property](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/powers-of-attorney-for-property/) - [Living Wills](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/living-wills/) - [Transfer on Death Instruments (TODIs)](https://www.jkelaw.com/transfer-on-death-instruments) - [Probate](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/probate/) - [Estate Administration](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-administration/) - [Guardianship](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/guardianship/) - [Residential Real Estate Sales](https://www.jkelaw.com/residential-real-estate-sales) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) [SCHEDULE CONSULTATION](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-5-1](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-5-1.jpg) # Probate When someone passes away without a [will](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/?hsLang=en) or only has a [simple will](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/simple-wills/?hsLang=en), all of his or her assets must be distributed through a court procedure called probate.  The only exception is if the individual had less than $100,000 in probate assets and did not own any real estate.   If there is a [will](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas/estate-planning/wills/?hsLang=en), it must be properly filed with the probate court.  The proper heirs must then be identified and an executor or an administrator (the individual responsible for gathering assets, verifying inventory, paying debts and making distributions) is appointed by the probate court.   After the executor or administrator is appointed, all heirs and creditors of the estate must be notified.  When the statutory claims period has elapsed and all administrative as well as professional fees have been paid, the beneficiaries of the estate may receive their distributions.   ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-13](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-13.jpg) ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-2022-12-16-18-15-25-utc](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-2022-12-16-18-15-25-utc.jpg) ### Problems with Probate Unfortunately, when assets are left to beneficiaries through a simple will or without a will, the assets of the deceased individual are accessible to the public. Anyone can find out what assets a person had when he or she died and can discover who has inherited it. Also, when someone dies without a will or his or her will does not have an explicit waiver provision, the individual who is appointed to distribute the estate must pay to have a bond posted with the probate court. Probate is also more time consuming and expensive than estate or trust administration. ![close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-10](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/close-up-view-of-stacks-of-blank-paper-with-metal-10.jpg) ### Avoiding Probate Some of the expenses and formalities involved with probate court can be minimized through the use of trusts. A trust will also keep information private. A small estate affidavit may be used to avoid probate for an estate that has less than $100,000 in probate assets and does not include real estate. ![generic-icon](https://3846355.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3846355/generic-icon.svg) Card Title ### Card Title ![generic-icon](https://3846355.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3846355/generic-icon.svg) Card Title ### Card Title ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ## Schedule Free Consultation ### Form ![logo-footer](https://www.jkelaw.com/hubfs/logo-footer.png) **Disclaimer:** None of the information on this website is legal advice. The information is for informational and educational purposes. The information may also be considered marketing or advertising material. #### Sitemap - [Practice Areas](https://www.jkelaw.com/practice-areas) - [Profiles](https://www.jkelaw.com/profiles) - [Presentations](https://www.jkelaw.com/presentations) - [Contact Us](https://www.jkelaw.com/contact-us) - [Areas Served](https://www.jkelaw.com/areas-served) - [Blog](https://24044772.hs-sites.com/blog) #### Contact Us [(773) 983-9117](tel:7739839117) 950 Milwaukee Ave, Ste 302 Glenview, IL 60025 #### Follow us [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jacob.ehrensaft.9/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobehrensaft/) [Follow us on Facebook](mailto:sales@jkelaw.com) © 2026 Law Offices of Jacob K. Ehrensaft, LLC All Rights Reserved. Powered By: [OneIMS](https://oneims.com)