🏙️ How to Create a Trust in Illinois (2025 Guide)

Illinois residents face some of the most costly and time-consuming probate processes in the country. If you want to keep your estate private, avoid court fees, and protect your loved ones — a trust is the most effective way to do it.

This 2025 guide explains exactly how to create a legally valid trust in Illinois — without spending thousands on an estate attorney.

🔎 What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement where a person (the grantor) places property into a legal structure, managed by a trustee, for the benefit of beneficiaries.

In Illinois, the Revocable Living Trust is the most popular and flexible:

• Avoids probate court (which can take 6–12+ months)

• Keeps your estate private

• Lets you stay in control of your assets during your lifetime

• Protects your family in case of incapacity or death

📍 Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a Trust in Illinois

Follow these steps:

1. Choose the Right Trust

Start with:

• ✅ Revocable Living Trust
  Add-on or optional trusts include:
  ☐ Minor’s Trust
  ☐ Special Needs Trust
  ☐ Spendthrift Trust
  ☐ Dynasty Trust (multi-generation protection)

✅ TrustGenie includes all of these in a single plan.

2. Name the Key Parties

☐ Grantor – You (creator of the trust)
☐ Trustee – The person who manages the trust (can be you)
☐ Successor Trustee – Who takes over if you’re incapacitated or deceased
☐ Beneficiaries – Those who will inherit from the trust

3. List Your Assets

Include all that you want protected or passed on:
☐ Illinois real estate (home, rental properties, land)
☐ Bank accounts and credit unions
☐ Investments and retirement accounts
☐ Vehicles
☐ Business ownership (LLCs, corporations, etc.)
☐ Life insurance
☐ Valuables, art, jewelry

✅ TrustGenie provides a built-in Schedule A and asset funding templates.

4. Sign the Trust (Illinois Rules)

• Trust must be in writing

• Signed by the grantor

• Notarization is required

• Witnesses are not required, but can be helpful for bank acceptance

✅ TrustGenie gives you clear Illinois signing instructions.

5. Fund the Trust

Your trust only protects what you put into it. Fund it by:
☐ Filing a Quitclaim Deed or Warranty Deed for real estate
☐ Retitling bank and brokerage accounts to the trust
☐ Assigning personal property using a General Assignment
☐ Updating life insurance beneficiary forms (optional)
☐ Keeping records of every transfer

🚨 If you skip this step, your trust will not avoid probate.

⚠️ Common Mistakes in Illinois

❌ Not transferring real estate or bank accounts to the trust
❌ Assuming a will avoids probate (it doesn’t in Illinois)
❌ Failing to name a successor trustee
❌ Not updating the trust after major life events
❌ Forgetting to include newly acquired assets

💰 Cost of Creating a Trust in Illinois

Option Average Cost Illinois Attorney$2,500 – $6,000 DIY Templates$100 – $500 TrustGenie Full Plan$150/year (state-specific documents, deed templates, and updates)

🧠 Can I Make My Own Trust in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois allows non-attorneys to create valid trusts if:

• It’s in writing

• Clearly states intent and names all parties

• Signed by the grantor

• Properly funded with real assets

✅ TrustGenie takes care of the structure, wording, and instructions.

📎 Download: Illinois Trust Checklist

Use our printable checklist to:

• Organize your steps

• Track asset transfers

• Avoid legal missteps

• Speed up setup

📥 [Download the Illinois Checklist Now]

✅ Ready to Get Started?

TrustGenie helps Illinois residents build valid trusts in minutes — not months — for a fraction of the cost of a lawyer.

👉 [Start Your Illinois Trust Now – $150/yr Plan]

🔗 Related Posts:

• [Illinois Probate Explained: Why You Should Avoid It]

• [Can a Revocable Trust Protect Me from Lawsuits?]

• [What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Trust in IL?]

✍️ Written by:

TrustGenie Legal Team
Clear, Legally Valid Trusts — Built for Illinois.