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Kentucky Probate and Estate Forms

Kentucky probate is opened in the District Court of the county where the decedent resided (KRS 24A.120). Unlike states that publish no statewide probate forms, Kentucky's Administrative Office of the Courts publishes numbered statewide AOC forms used in every county, including AOC-805 (petition for probate and appointment), AOC-830 (petition to dispense with administration), AOC-841 (inventory and appraisement), and AOC-846 (settlement of estate). Filings go to the circuit court clerk, who serves as the clerk of the District Court, and the will is recorded with the county clerk after it is admitted (KRS 394.140).

Kentucky Probate Forms by Situation

Start at the Kentucky Court of Justice Legal Forms page, which is searchable by keyword or by form number. Read the Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures for the District Court process. For the statute-prescribed content behind each filing, read the cited section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes at apps.legislature.ky.gov. For a vehicle title, use the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Form TC 96-182 submitted to the county clerk.

Find Forms By Your Situation

Official Resources

Start at the Kentucky Court of Justice Legal Forms page, which is searchable by keyword or by form number. Read the Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures for the District Court process. For the statute-prescribed content behind each filing, read the cited section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes at apps.legislature.ky.gov. For a vehicle title, use the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Form TC 96-182 submitted to the county clerk.

Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Forms

The official statewide Kentucky AOC forms library. Forms are searchable by keyword or topic, or by entering a known form number. It contains the probate forms AOC-805 (petition for probate and appointment), AOC-830 (petition to dispense with administration), AOC-841 (inventory and appraisement), AOC-846 (settlement of estate), and the informal settlement forms AOC-850 and AOC-851.

Kentucky Court of Justice - Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures

The official Kentucky Court of Justice booklet explaining District Court probate: probating a will, appointing a fiduciary, the inventory, settlement, and dispensing with administration, with the AOC form number for each step.

Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Help

Official Kentucky Court of Justice starting point for self-represented litigants, with the probate guide, the self-help portal, and links to civil legal aid programs.

Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 395 (Personal Representatives; Administration of Estates)

Primary statutes hosted by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission that govern the appointment of a personal representative, the 90-day inventory, distribution, settlement, and dispensing with administration for a small estate.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet - Form TC 96-182 (Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration)

The official Kentucky vehicle title application, submitted to the county clerk when a beneficiary, surviving co-owner, or successor retitles an inherited vehicle.

Important Notes

  • -Kentucky publishes numbered statewide AOC probate forms used in all 120 counties: AOC-805 (petition for probate and appointment), AOC-830 (petition to dispense with administration), AOC-841 (inventory and appraisement), and AOC-846 (settlement of estate). The court's order of probate and the letters are issued by the court, not completed by the filer.
  • -Probate is opened in the District Court of the county where the decedent resided (KRS 24A.120). Filings go to the circuit court clerk, who serves as the clerk of the District Court, and the admitted will is recorded with the county clerk (KRS 394.140).
  • -Court costs to open a probate case are a flat $50 filing fee under Supreme Court Order 2026-15 (CR 3.03(1)(c)) plus a $20 court technology fee and small county add-ons, uniform in all 120 counties. Kentucky imposes no probate value tax.
  • -Kentucky's small-estate path is a District Court ORDER dispensing with administration under KRS 395.455 (form AOC-830), not an out-of-court affidavit presented to a bank. The ceiling is the flat $30,000 KRS 391.030 exempt-property allowance ($15,000 before July 15, 2020) plus preferred claims.
  • -Kentucky does NOT authorize a transfer-on-death deed for real property, and its vehicle transfer-on-death designation (KRS 186A.037) does not take effect until January 1, 2028. Do not advertise either as available.
  • -The surviving spouse's renunciation of a will must be filed with both the admitting court and the county clerk within six months after the will is admitted (KRS 392.080). Kentucky retains dower and curtesy (KRS 392.020), not a UPC elective share.
  • -Do not distribute estate assets before the personal representative is appointed, the six-month creditor claim period runs (KRS 396.011), the $30,000 exempt-property allowance is set apart, and any spousal renunciation is resolved.

Sources: Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Forms (statewide AOC forms library) | AOC-805 Petition for Probate of Will and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator

Not sure which Kentucky forms you need?

Answer a few questions to sort the likely filing path before you pick forms or contact the District Court.

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How to Use Kentucky Probate FormsWhy the filing path comes before the form number

The form finder groups records such as Opening the Estate and Getting Letters, Administering and Closing the Estate, Small Estate: Dispense With Administration (KRS 395.455), Dispensing by Agreement and Real Property Records so you can start with the likely procedure rather than one isolated form number.

Use source links such as Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Forms, Kentucky Court of Justice - Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures, Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Help to locate official forms and verify which documents belong in the packet.

Kentucky Form Prep ChecksCounty packet rules and the records to gather before filing

Choose the filing path

Common filing paths in this data include Petition to probate the will and appoint a fiduciary, then file the inventory and a settlement, District Court petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, Motion and written agreement to dispense with administration under KRS 395.470, Probate the will, rely on survivorship title, or record an affidavit of descent for intestate property. Match the estate facts to the correct path before preparing forms.

Verify the county packet

Check the county District Court or local filing-office instructions for coversheets, copy rules, appointments, fees, and filing methods.

Pull supporting records first

Collect the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset values, deed or title records, heir and beneficiary details, and creditor information before filling out the packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Kentucky probate forms?
Start with Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Forms, Kentucky Court of Justice - Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures, Kentucky Court of Justice - Legal Help. Then verify local county instructions before you file, because packet rules, copy requirements, fees, and filing methods can vary.
How do I know which Kentucky probate form I need?
Start with the filing path, not the form number. The right packet depends on will status, asset type and value, creditor issues, heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a simplified procedure fits.
Can I file Kentucky probate forms without an attorney?
Some paths may allow self-filing, but the answer still depends on the estate, the county office, disputes, real estate, creditors, and tax facts. Verify the county rules and get legal help when rights or strategy are unclear.
What should I gather before filling out Kentucky probate forms?
Gather the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset and debt lists, deed or title records, beneficiary records, and names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries.
Kentucky Official Forms and SourcesOfficial references used for this page

Information current as of July 20, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Kentucky can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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