Who must I contact to file a claim against this estate?

File your claim with the Stephenson County Circuit Court Clerk at 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL, or submit it to the executor, Melodie A. Dewall, at 1499 Mud Creek Road, Oregon, IL.

Do I need to send a copy of my claim to the attorney?

Yes; copies of any claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the executor and the estate attorney within ten days after filing.

Probate — 1499 Mud Creek Road, Oregon, IL (2026-PR-27)

Official courthouse record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

Affects:CreditorsHeirsGeneral Public

This is a probate claim notice for the estate of Violet Hiteman Frederick of Freeport, naming Melodie A. Dewall as Independent Executor and setting a November 1, 2026 deadline for creditors to file claims against the estate.

Key Takeaways

Claims must be filed by November 1, 2026 (or later statutory date).
Melodie A. Dewall is the Independent Executor.
File claims with the Clerk or the representative (or both).
Copies of claims to executor and attorney within 10 days after filing.

Deadline · Claims Deadline

November 1, 2026

Pro users tracking probate like this were alerted the second it filed. Never miss a deadline

Published: May 15, 2026 · 4 days ago

What to do next

1
Prepare and file your claim
Draft your claim and file it with the Stephenson County Circuit Court Clerk at 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL on or before November 1, 2026.
2
Send copies to representative and attorney
Mail or deliver copies of the filed claim within ten days to Melodie A. Dewall, 1499 Mud Creek Road, Oregon, IL 61061, and to attorney David D. Shockey, Shockey & Cox, LLC, 208 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL 61032.
3
Consult an attorney if unsure
Contact David D. Shockey at Shockey & Cox, LLC for questions about claim validity or deadlines before November 1, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Who must I contact to file a claim against this estate?: File your claim with the Stephenson County Circuit Court Clerk at 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL, or submit it to the executor, Melodie A. Dewall, at 1499 Mud Creek Road, Oregon, IL.
What is the deadline to file a creditor claim?: Claims must be filed on or before November 1, 2026, or within three months from mailing/delivery of notice if that later date applies.
Do I need to send a copy of my claim to the attorney?: Yes; copies of any claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the executor and the estate attorney within ten days after filing.

The suggestions and answers above are AI-generated for general information only. They can be wrong, and we don't take responsibility for their accuracy. Talk to a qualified professional before acting on them.

Legal terms in this notice

Letters of Office: Court-issued document authorizing a person to act as executor or administrator of an estate.
Independent Executor: Executor who can administer the estate with limited court supervision under state law.
Probate Act Section 5/18-3: Statute governing notice to creditors and time limits for filing claims against estates.

Full Notice Text

STATE OF ILLINOIS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
STEPHENSON COUNTY

In the Matter of the Estate of
VIOLET HITEMAN
FREDERICK, Deceased.

CASE NO. 2026-PR-27

CLAIM NOTICE

   Notice is given of the death of Violet Hiteman Frederick, of Freeport, Illinois. Letters of Office were issued on April 20, 2026, to Melodie A. Dewall, of 1499 Mud Creek Road, Oregon, IL 61061, as Independent Executor. The attorney for the estate is David D. Shockey of Shockey & Cox, LLC, 208 West Stephenson Street, Freeport, IL 61032.
    Claims against the Estate may be filed in the office of the Clerk of the Court at Stephenson County Courthouse, 15 N. Galena Avenue, Freeport, IL 61032, or with the representatives, or both, on or before November 1, 2026, or within three (3) months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to creditors, if mailing or delivery is required by Section 5/18 of the Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/18-3), whichever date is later. Any claim not filed within that period is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to the attorney for the estate within ten (10) days after it has been filed.

     David D. Shockey,
     Attorney for the Estate of
     Violet Hiteman Frederick,
     Deceased
May 1, 8, 15 2026
LILS0509639