What it asks for
Describe the real estate, with its improvements and any mortgages or other liens, and state the money on hand. List all personal estate, and any claim the ward has a right to sue on, with the person it is against. §14-1 (opens in a new tab)
Cook County asks for more detail, as far as you can give it. Other counties may follow their own rules.
| Item | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Real estate | Legal description, size, address, improvements, years of unpaid taxes, any mortgage or other lien and its balance, and whether you are in possession and, if not, why |
| Stocks, bonds and notes | Shares, class and exact issuer; a bond’s face value, rate and maturity; a note’s balance and maker |
| Partnerships | The partnership’s name and address, and the ward’s interest |
| Causes of action | Who the ward can sue, for what, and the court and case number if a suit is filed |
| Joint and non-probate assets | Listed separately for an adult ward, with the nature of the ward’s interest |
| Totals | The approximate value of the personal estate, and the approximate yearly income from real estate |
Number each item from 1. Only bank accounts and similar items need a value. R. 12.9(c) (opens in a new tab) Cook’s form also asks for the approximate value of the personal estate on the date letters issued, and a statement that your bond meets 755 ILCS 5/12-5. CCP 0334 (opens in a new tab)
Common mistakes
Joint accounts left out
In Cook, list the adult ward’s joint accounts and other non-probate assets separately. The court may freeze them. R. 12.9(g) (opens in a new tab)
Property found later
File a supplemental inventory within 60 days of learning of it. §14-1(a) (opens in a new tab) In Cook, also file an amended one to fix a wrong description or a wrongly included item. Tick the box on CCP 0334. R. 12.9(f) (opens in a new tab)
Your first account
Your first account is due 30 days after the first year of your letters. §24-11(a) (opens in a new tab) In Cook, each item keeps its inventory number in that account. R. 12.9(c), 12.13(a)(ii) (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- 755 ILCS 5/14-1 (opens in a new tab), what the inventory holds and when
- 755 ILCS 5/24-11 (opens in a new tab), when the first account is due
- Circuit Court of Cook County Rules, Part 12 (opens in a new tab), Rule 12.9, inventories
- CCP 0334, Inventory (opens in a new tab), Circuit Court of Cook County, 12/01/24
- CCP 0221, Instructions to Guardian of the Estate (opens in a new tab), Circuit Court of Cook County, 01/01/26
Also for Illinois: Account of the Guardian of the Estate
We make Fidura, guardianship accounting software built on a reconciled register for each ward. See the product
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