Lake County- Probate Division

Lake County has three Administrative Orders that address Probate procedures, which include Checklists, Affidavit of Heirs and Notice Regarding Will.

Procedures

(See Lake County Clerk’s website for applicable filing fees.)

All four (4) Judges have the same procedures for submitting proposed probate orders in their offices:

• Cover letters must be mailed directly to the appropriate Judge’s office along with the following:
  • A Portal Stamped SubmissionCopy of the completed corresponding Checklist
  • A Portal Stamped Submission Copy of the Motion or Petition
  • Proposed Order with a certificate of service

  DO’S, DO NOT’S & NOTES:

  • Please DO send your proposed orders to the Judicial Assistant via US Mail ONLY (orders via email will not be accepted).
  • Please DO NOT send proposed orders to the Clerk.
  • Please DO NOT attempt to e-file proposed orders through the e-portal (they will be rejected by the Clerk).
  • Please DO send Original Wills and/or Death Certificates directly to the Clerk of Court.
  • Please DO NOT send copies to conform or stamped, self-addressed envelopes. All orders will be e-filed and e-served upon everyone in the e-Portal.
  • Please DO NOT send ANY form of payment to the Judges office – ALL payments should be submitted to the Clerk of Courts directly.
  • Please DO contact the Clerk of Courts, Probate Division, for Certified Copies of your order AFTER you have received service of same.
  • NOTES (RE: Certified Copies):
    • Certified copies should NOT be prepaid when filing your case.
    • The Clerk’s office has 3 business days to accept the e-filing of an order, from the Judge’s office.
    • Certified copies of the order can be purchased, in person, 3 business days AFTER you receive your e-serviced Order from the Judge’s office, by a party to the case.
    • You may also mail the Clerk’s Office your request for certified copies AFTER you receive your e-serviced Order from the Judge’s office.
      • If requesting certified copies by mail, please include the appropriate fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope(s). Please contact the Clerk’s office for further information.

      While we understand certain emergencies, frequent inquiries for status updates on proposed orders or to see if the USPS has delivered your mail are not necessary and can cause additional time burdens. IF you have followed all of the instructions above, we should be able to process your order in a timely fashion. Should we need any additional information, we will reach out to your office.