Stephenson County Circuit Court Guide

Note: Stephenson County's published Filing Fees by Case Type page (fees effective January 1, 2022) lists the probate/estate (PR) filing fee for administration of a decedent's estate, testate or intestate, at $356.00, with guardianship filings at $256.00 and a probate jury demand at $68.75 (6 person) or $137.50 (12 person). The decedent-estate total reflects the civil case filing fee set by the county board under 705 ILCS 105/27.1b plus the flat $100 guardianship and advocacy operations fee on decedent estate filings under 705 ILCS 105/27.3f. The small estate affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) is presented directly to banks and other asset holders, not filed with the court, so it has no court filing fee. Newspaper publication of the claim notice is paid directly to the newspaper. County fee schedule accessed 2026-07-18. Verify the current amounts with the Stephenson County Circuit Clerk before filing.