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Barton County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Barton County District Court |
| Courthouse address | Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530-4098 |
| Mailing address | 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530 |
| Phone | 620-793-1856 |
| Fax | 620-793-1860 |
| Hours | Call 620-793-1856 to confirm current clerk hours. The Barton County Self-Help Center is listed as staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
| Filing fee | Probate estate filing is $131.50 as of August 2026, a $109.50 statutory docket fee plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). Other court costs may be taxed against the estate as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| Local forms | Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms. Call the clerk before filing to ask whether a Barton County local rule or administrative order affects the packet. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys file electronically under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer uses the clerk's office, mail, fax or the Barton County courthouse drop box. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov. Barton County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so documents filed from that date forward may be available online, while public terminals at the courthouse remain the full access point. |
| Remote appearance | Remote appearance is discretionary under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). Use the Kansas Judicial Council motion form and ask the clerk how the assigned judge handles the request. |
| Website | 20th district page: https://www.kscourts.gov/About-the-Courts/District-Courts/Districts/20th-Judicial-District. Barton County court page: http://www.bartoncounty.org/vnews/display.v/ART/5179801995644 |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Barton County filing path, list the assets, debts, titles, beneficiary designations and any will. The six-month will rule can make timing more important than the size of the estate, so start the estate settlement inventory early.
Sunset helps families look for accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organize documents and decide what belongs in a probate packet. That asset picture makes the next estate settlement step clearer before you call the clerk or an attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Barton County is filed with the clerk of the district court at the Barton County Courthouse in Great Bend, in the Barton County District Court. Kansas requires a clerk of the district court in each county (K.S.A. 20-343), so a Barton County case is filed in Barton County even though the court sits within Kansas's 20th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-221).
Venue depends on residence and real property. A Kansas resident's probate or administration is filed in the county of residence if the decedent owned real property there. If the decedent did not own real property in the county of residence, the case may be filed in the county of residence or in any county where the decedent owned real property. For a nonresident, the case may be filed in any Kansas county where the decedent left estate to be administered. If competing cases are started, the first-filed proceeding controls while venue is resolved, and a case filed in the wrong county can be transferred (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Find the will, death certificate, asset list and debt list. If the decedent was a Kansas resident and left a will, decide within six months whether to file a petition to probate the will, or at minimum preserve it by filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a, because a will cannot pass property unless a petition is filed within six months after death unless a statutory savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617).
- Choose the filing path. Kansas options include the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, and simplified administration or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b is furnished to the bank or other holder and is not filed as a court case.
- Prepare the petition if a court case is needed. A petition for administration follows K.S.A. 59-2219, and a petition to probate a will follows K.S.A. 59-2220. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give reasons, because the court decides under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Add the statewide case-filing cover sheet. If you are filing without a lawyer, add the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If you cannot pay the $131.50 as of August 2026 probate estate docket fee under K.S.A. 59-104, ask about the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court at 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530 (K.S.A. 20-343). A self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 620-793-1860 or by the Barton County drop box. A document placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day under the Kansas self-represented filing rule.
- Pay the $131.50 as of August 2026 probate estate docket fee under K.S.A. 59-104, unless the court grants a fee waiver through the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104. Attorneys file electronically under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122).
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). If you want to appear by phone or video, file the Kansas Judicial Council motion and notify the other parties. Remote appearance is discretionary under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
- Give required notice. Hearing notice is published once per week for three consecutive weeks, with mailing to heirs, devisees and legatees within the statutory timing rules (K.S.A. 59-2209). Notice to creditors is published within 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709). A surviving spouse must receive the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233.
- Attend the hearing. If the petition is granted, the court admits the will and grants letters testamentary to an executor under K.S.A. 59-701, or grants letters of administration to an administrator under K.S.A. 59-705. The clerk files papers and collects fees, but the court grants the authority.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory and valuation within 30 days after letters unless the court allows more time (K.S.A. 59-1201). Handle creditor demands under the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice, as provided by K.S.A. 59-2239. Pay debts and taxes, then seek final settlement and a final decree assigning the estate under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Barton County
Kansas publishes free statewide forms through the Kansas Judicial Council. For Barton County filings, start with the statewide case-filing cover sheet, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form if you are filing for yourself, the Poverty Affidavit if you are asking for a fee waiver under K.S.A. 59-104, and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video if you want a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
The Small Estates Affidavit is a statewide Judicial Council form tied to K.S.A. 59-1507b. It applies to qualifying personal property when the total probate assets do not exceed $75,000, effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. Kansas does not publish a fill-in petition for opening a probate estate, so petitions are drafted from the statute or with legal help.
Before you file in Room 306 at the Barton County Courthouse, call 620-793-1856 to ask whether the judge has any local formatting, scheduling or administrative-order requirement for your packet.
Local nuance
Barton County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Barton County is in the 20th judicial district | The district includes Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties (K.S.A. 4-221), but Barton County probate is filed at the Great Bend courthouse. |
| Room 306 and fax matter | The court listing gives Room 306 and fax 620-793-1860. Fax is one of the self-represented filing channels, and Barton County's street and mailing address are both 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530. |
| CaseSearch document date | Barton County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. Case information can be searched on Kansas Courts CaseSearch, and documents filed from that date forward may be available online. |
| Self-help center | The Barton County Self-Help Center is listed as staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a computer and printer. Legal Aid Day is listed for Room 102 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., walk-ins only, with applications available from the clerk. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court fee law | The $22 surcharge for probate docket fees was extended through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. The Barton County probate estate total is $131.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent may live anywhere in Kansas, not necessarily in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706 as amended in 2026. |
| 2025 CaseSearch change | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide search tool. Barton County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, which affects online document availability. |
| 2024 creditor notice timing | The publication window for notice to creditors changed to 30 days after filing the petition under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small estates affidavit amount | The small estates affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Barton County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking how the Great Bend area home is titled. If title passes outside administration, the spouse may still need advice about any remaining probate assets, the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, family allowance rules under K.S.A. 59-403 and the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233. | Sunset helps gather deeds, mortgage information, accounts and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see what belongs in the estate settlement and what may pass another way. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If there is no real estate and the total probate assets qualify, the child may be able to use the small estates affidavit for personal property, effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706, and can ask for remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset helps find accounts, build the asset list and assemble the documents needed before contacting the Barton County clerk or a Kansas attorney. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not move real estate. Ask whether refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, or simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202 fits the facts, and watch the will deadline under K.S.A. 59-617 if a will exists. | Sunset helps organize home information, debts, accounts and family contacts so the estate settlement packet is complete enough for counsel to evaluate the fastest court path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Barton County Self-Help Center | Listed as staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a computer and printer. Legal Aid Day is listed for Room 102 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., walk-ins only, with applications available from the clerk. | Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main St., Great Bend. Call 620-793-1856 before going. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate and elder law self-help | Official self-help information on probate topics, terminology and links to forms. It is informational and does not replace legal advice. | https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free statewide forms, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, case-filing cover sheets, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104, the Rule 119 Fax Transmission Sheet, and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | https://www.kjc.ks.gov/legal-forms |
| Kansas Legal Services | Nonprofit civil legal help for eligible Kansans in all 105 counties. Call to ask about eligibility and whether your estate issue fits current priorities. | 316-267-3975, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Online application opens 8:00 a.m. Monday and closes 4:30 p.m. Thursday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Free legal advice program through Kansas Legal Services for Kansas residents age 60 or older who qualify. | 316-267-3975 |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer when the estate has real estate, contested heirs, creditor issues, tax questions or a missed deadline. | https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
When to hire an attorney
Consider talking with a Kansas probate attorney if the estate includes real estate, a business, missing heirs, disagreement among family members, creditor disputes, a nonresident personal representative, a sale of a home, or any concern about the six-month will rule under K.S.A. 59-617. Counsel can also help decide whether refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, or simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202 is the right court path. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions, helps identify accounts, and organizes what belongs in the estate settlement before a Barton County filing is prepared.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's answers into a clear document checklist and filing packet outline, including the will, asset list, debt list, statewide Kansas forms and Barton County filing details.
Find a local probate attorney. When a lawyer is the better path, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted Kansas probate attorney who can review the estate settlement and file in the Barton County District Court.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps and decide whether a court filing, attorney help or a noncourt transfer route fits.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Barton County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main St., Room 306, Great Bend, KS 67530 (K.S.A. 20-343). Barton County is in Kansas's 20th judicial district with Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties (K.S.A. 4-221), but Barton County filings stay in Great Bend.
What is the Barton County probate filing fee?
A probate estate filing is $131.50 as of August 2026, made up of a $109.50 statutory docket fee plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). If you cannot pay, ask about the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
Can I e-file a Barton County probate case?
Kansas-licensed attorneys file electronically under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer in Barton County uses the clerk's office, mail, fax to 620-793-1860 or the courthouse drop box under the Kansas self-represented filing rule.
Does Barton County have a drop box for probate filings?
Yes. Barton County is not one of the Kansas counties excluded from the drop-box list. A self-represented filing placed in the Barton County drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day under the Kansas self-represented filing rule.
Can I appear by phone or video in a Barton County probate hearing?
Possibly. Remote appearance is discretionary under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). File the Kansas Judicial Council Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video, notify the other parties and ask the clerk how the assigned Barton County judge handles remote appearance requests.
How do I look up a Barton County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov. Barton County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so documents filed from that date forward may be available online. The courthouse public terminal remains the place to access the full public court file.
Are there Barton County probate forms?
Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the case-filing cover sheet, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). Call 620-793-1856 before filing to ask whether any local rule affects the packet.
What if the will is close to the Kansas deadline?
Kansas gives a will of a Kansas resident a six months deadline from death to have a petition for probate filed, unless a statutory savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready to open a full estate, ask quickly about filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a to preserve the will.
Do I have to travel to Great Bend if I live outside Kansas?
An out-of-state personal representative can serve if the required Kansas resident agent appointment is filed under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706. For hearings, ask for remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), but wait for the judge's order before assuming travel is excused.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.