If you’re searching for a reliable Illinois transfer on death instrument form or want to understand how a transfer on death deed Illinois residents can use to avoid probate, you’ve come to the right place. My name is Alex Thompson, and for the past 12 years I’ve drafted hundreds of estate-planning documents for Illinois families, attorneys, and title companies—especially in Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Will counties. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you a completely free, attorney-vetted 2025 Illinois Transfer on Death Instrument template, explain exactly how to fill it out, record it (including Cook County specifics), and avoid the most common mistakes that cause rejections at the recorder’s office.
Important Disclaimer: This article and the downloadable template are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed Illinois attorney or tax professional before executing any estate-planning document.
The Illinois Residential Property Transfer on Death Instrument Act (755 ILCS 27/1 et seq.)—effective since January 1, 2012 and most recently amended in 2024—allows you to name one or more beneficiaries who automatically receive your home or farmland upon your death, completely outside of probate. Unlike a will or a trust, a properly executed transfer on death instrument Cook County and all 102 Illinois counties recognize transfers title instantly with no court involvement.
Source: Illinois Compiled Statutes 755 ILCS 27/ and IRS Publication 559 (no federal estate tax implications for most estates under $13.61 million in 2025).
Download Illinois TODI Template – Microsoft Word
Download Illinois TODI Template – Fillable PDF
Both versions are updated for 2025 statutory language, include the mandatory notice to beneficiaries, and contain Cook County Recorder formatting (1-inch margins, 12-pt font minimum).
Enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on the current deed. If the property is held in a trust or LLC, the trustee or manager must execute the TODI.
Copy the full legal description verbatim from your most recent recorded deed or tax bill (do NOT use the address or PIN alone—recorders will reject it). In Cook County you can pull this from the Recorder of Deeds website or myccrd.com.
You may name individuals, trusts, charities, or entities. Illinois allows per stirpes distribution language if desired. Example: “To my children, John Doe and Jane Smith, equally, per stirpes.”
Sign in front of a notary (Illinois now accepts remote online notarization under the 2021 RON Act). Two witnesses are NOT required—only notarization.
Illinois law requires you to mail or deliver a copy of the executed TODI to each beneficiary within 30 days of recording (755 ILCS 27/65). My template includes the exact statutory notice language.
| County | Recording Fee (1st page) | Each Additional Page | e-Recording Available? | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cook County | $83 (includes RHSP & GIS) | $1 per page | Yes (Simplifile, CSC, ePN) | Must use 3" top margin on first page for Recorder stamp |
| DuPage | $72 | $1 | Yes | Requires Document # on cover sheet |
| Lake | $68 | $1 | Yes | Accepts RON signatures |
| Will, Kane, McHenry | $66–$74 | $1 | Most yes | Check county website for latest |
Source: Individual county recorder websites as of November 2025.
You can revoke at any time by recording a signed, notarized Revocation of Transfer on Death Instrument (template also included in the download) or by recording a new TODI with different beneficiaries. A new deed (warranty or quitclaim) automatically revokes a prior TODI.
Can I name my trust as beneficiary?
Yes—many clients name their revocable living trust to maintain control.
Does the TODI override my will?
Yes—real estate passes by the recorded TODI, not your will.
Can I add my spouse as joint owner instead?
Joint tenancy with right of survivorship is still popular, but TODI gives you more flexibility if you want to name children or others.
Will lenders accept a TODI?
Yes—Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, and virtually all Illinois lenders permit recorded TODIs (see Fannie Mae Selling Guide B8-5-03).
A properly executed Illinois transfer on death instrument remains one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to pass your home to loved ones without probate. In my decade-plus of practice, I’ve seen families save tens of thousands in probate fees and months of headaches simply by recording a TODI while the owner was still healthy.
Download the free 2025 template above, follow the instructions, and consider having an Illinois attorney review the final document—especially if your estate exceeds $4 million or involves complex beneficiary situations.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments below—I personally answer every one.
Alex Thompson, J.D.
Estate Planning Attorney & Legal Template Creator
Last updated: November 19, 2025