Wills & Probate

Probate - Wills and ProbateProcedures for filing Wills and/or Probate:

  • Wills must be filed within thirty days after the date of death
  • Wills cannot be filed before death
  • The original Will must be filed
  • The deceased must have been a resident of Lake County
  • The clerk will maintain the original Will
  • Forms to file a Petition for Probate are provided on this website - You may file with or without a Will 
  • The petition to have a Will probated and the original Will can be filed at the same time
  • The petition must be filed before receiving a court date
  • Court dates on Probate cases are scheduled on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 9:00 AM.  
  • Please note - Petitions for Probate must be filed by an attorney. Self-Represented Litigants (SRL) are required to hire an attorney before opening a Petition for Probate. 

Forms Used When Opening a Probate Estate

  1. Petition for Probate and for Letters (PDF)
  2. Acceptance of Office (PDF)
  3. Acceptance and Oath of Office (PDF)
  4. Claim Notice (PDF)
  5. Declination of Office (PDF)
  6. Affidavit of Heirship Surving Spouse or Descendants (PDF)
  7. Affidavit of Heirship No Surviving Spouse or Descendants (PDF)
  8. Order Appointing Representative of Decedent Estate (PDF)
  9. Order Declaring Heirship (PDF)
  10. Waiver of Notice Appearance for Letters of Office and Consent (PDF)
  11. Oath of Office and Bond (PDF)
  12. Renunciation of Will (PDF)

Forms Used to Close an Estate

  1. Final Report of Independent Representative (PDF)
  2. Receipt Consent and Waiver On Closing Of Decedent Estate (PDF)
  3. Order of Discharge (PDF)