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Clark County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Clark County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Clark County District Court, in Kansas's 16th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-217) |
| Filing office | Clerk of the district court for Clark County (K.S.A. 20-343) |
| Courthouse address | Clark County Courthouse, 913 Highland Avenue, Ashland, KS 67831 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 790, Ashland, KS 67831 |
| Phone | 620-635-2753 |
| Fax | 620-635-2155 |
| Hours | 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No lunch closure is posted for the Clark County Courthouse. |
| Filing fee | $131.50, current after July 1, 2026, for probate of an estate or will, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Additional court costs are taxed as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104(d)). |
| Local forms | Clark County does not provide a county-specific probate packet online. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms where a form exists. |
| E-filing | E-filing is required for Kansas-licensed attorneys under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 122. A self-represented filer uses in person delivery, mail, fax or the courthouse drop box. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Clark County case documents are online for filings from September 12, 2022 forward. |
| Remote appearance | A phone or video appearance may be requested by motion under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. The judge decides whether to allow it. |
| Website | Clark County Courthouse page on the Kansas Judicial Branch site |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Ashland, identify the assets, debts, titles, beneficiary designations and any original will. Kansas probate choices depend on what property is actually subject to probate, whether real estate is involved and whether the will deadline in K.S.A. 59-617 is still open.
Sunset supports estate settlement by helping families search across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets, organize what was found and prepare for the next local filing step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Clark County probate is filed with the clerk of the district court for Clark County at the Clark County Courthouse in Ashland (K.S.A. 20-343). The county includes Ashland, the courthouse city, and Englewood. Clark County shares Kansas's 16th judicial district with Comanche, Ford, Gray, Kiowa and Meade counties (K.S.A. 4-217), but Clark County filings stay in Ashland.
Kansas venue is governed by K.S.A. 59-2203. If the decedent lived in Kansas and owned real property in the county of residence, the proceeding is filed there. If the decedent lived in Kansas but did not own real property in the county of residence, the proceeding may be filed in the county of residence or in any county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, the proceeding may be filed in any county where the decedent left estate to be administered. A first-filed proceeding controls while venue is decided, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred to the proper county.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the will if one exists, account information, deeds, vehicle titles, debts and tax information. If there is a will, decide within six months after death whether to petition for probate of the will or at least file the will, or a copy, with an affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a to preserve it (K.S.A. 59-617).
- Choose the Kansas route before drafting. A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, with the $75,000 amount effective July 1, 2023, is furnished to the holder of personal property. Court routes may include 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, or simplified administration or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the verified petition for the Clark County District Court. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give the reasons required by Kansas law (K.S.A. 59-3202).
- Add the case-filing cover sheet. If you are representing yourself, add the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If you cannot pay the $131.50 amount, current after July 1, 2026, ask about filing a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court for Clark County at 913 Highland Avenue in Ashland, by mail to PO Box 790, Ashland, KS 67831, by fax to 620-635-2155, or by drop box. A drop box filing made by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day under the statewide self-represented filing rule.
- Pay the $131.50 amount, current after July 1, 2026, for probate of an estate or will under K.S.A. 59-104, unless the court allows a fee waiver. Other court costs, including publication and professional fees, are handled under K.S.A. 59-104(d).
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). Hearing notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, and mailed to required people within 7 days after the first publication with the petition and will included unless the court excuses it (K.S.A. 59-2209).
- Publish notice to creditors within 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709). Known or reasonably ascertainable creditors also receive actual notice, and claims are governed by the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- If there is a surviving spouse, send the statutory elective-share notice within 10 days when K.S.A. 59-2233 applies. The court then holds the hearing and, if appropriate, admits the will and grants letters testamentary to an executor (K.S.A. 59-701) or letters of administration to an administrator (K.S.A. 59-705).
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days unless the court allows more time (K.S.A. 59-1201). Administer the estate, pay allowed debts and taxes, and close with a petition for final settlement and the court's final decree (K.S.A. 59-2247; K.S.A. 59-2249).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Clark County
Clark County does not provide a county-specific fill-in petition or local probate packet online. Kansas Judicial Council forms are statewide and free, but the statewide set is limited. It includes the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the case-filing cover sheets, 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 Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103.
Kansas does not provide a fill-in petition for opening an ordinary probate estate. The petition is drafted from the statutory requirements, including K.S.A. 59-2219 for administration and K.S.A. 59-2220 for probate of a will, or with an attorney's help.
Local nuance
Clark County-specific considerations
| Consideration | What it means in Clark County |
|---|---|
| Shared district, local filing | Clark County shares Kansas's 16th judicial district with Comanche, Ford, Gray, Kiowa and Meade counties (K.S.A. 4-217). A Clark County probate is still filed in Ashland with the Clark County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343). |
| Courthouse hours | The Clark County Courthouse lists hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No lunch closure is posted. |
| Self-help center | The Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help Center list does not include a Clark County location. Use the clerk's filing counter, Kansas Judicial Council forms and Kansas Legal Services for starting points. |
| CaseSearch document date | Clark County joined the Kansas eCourt case management system on September 12, 2022. Documents filed from that date forward can be reached through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, while public courthouse access remains available for the full public file. |
| District magistrate judge | The Kansas Judicial Branch lists a district magistrate judge seated in Clark County. Kansas law allows a district magistrate judge to hear probate matters (K.S.A. 20-302b). |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 fee surcharge extension | The $22 surcharge authority for probate docket fees, current after July 1, 2026, was extended through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104 by 2026 HB 2393. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent may reside anywhere in Kansas, rather than in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706 as amended by 2026 SB 480. |
| 2024 creditor-notice timing | The notice to creditors publication window moved from 10 days to 30 days after filing under K.S.A. 59-709, effective July 1, 2024. |
| 2023 small-estate amount | The Small Estates Affidavit amount under K.S.A. 59-1507b rose to $75,000, effective July 1, 2023. |
| Clark County eCourt date | Clark County case documents are available through Kansas Courts CaseSearch for filings from September 12, 2022 forward. |
Scenarios
| Archetype | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the deed and how the home is titled. A termination of joint tenancy is a $70.50 filing, current after July 1, 2026, under K.S.A. 59-104. If an estate is opened in Ashland, the spouse may also need to consider the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, the spouse and minor children allowance under K.S.A. 59-403 and the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233. The $75,000 amount under K.S.A. 59-1507b is a separate Small Estates Affidavit amount, effective July 1, 2023. | Sunset helps identify accounts, confirm title clues and organize the estate settlement file before a petition or nonprobate filing is chosen. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate has $75,000 or less in probate assets, effective July 1, 2023, and no real estate needs court action, the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b may clear personal property from the holder. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706). A phone or video appearance can be requested under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. | Sunset helps decide whether the asset list fits the affidavit path, prepares the family for a Clark County filing and can connect the family with local counsel. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not handle a house. Ask whether refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, or simplified administration or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202 fits. If a will exists, the six-month rule under K.S.A. 59-617 should be addressed immediately. | Sunset helps gather financial information, build a probate packet for Ashland and find an attorney when a sale or title issue makes court guidance important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Clark County clerk of the district court | Files probate petitions at 913 Highland Avenue, Ashland, KS 67831, receives mail at PO Box 790, Ashland, KS 67831, takes calls at 620-635-2753 and receives fax filings at 620-635-2155. The clerk files papers and collects the K.S.A. 59-104 docket fee, but cannot give legal advice or draft the petition. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help, probate and elder law | Statewide probate information, links to Kansas Judicial Council forms and links to Kansas Legal Services resources. |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free statewide forms include the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the case-filing cover sheets, 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 Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. |
| Kansas Legal Services | Free and reduced-cost civil legal help for low and moderate income Kansans in all 105 counties, subject to eligibility and case priorities. Intake is 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansas residents age 60 or older may ask Kansas Legal Services about free legal advice at 316-267-3975. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer. Use ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals. |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch | Free statewide case lookup at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Clark County documents are available online for filings from September 12, 2022 forward. |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful in Clark County when a will is close to the six-month deadline under K.S.A. 59-617, real estate must be sold, heirs disagree, an out-of-state fiduciary needs a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, or the family needs a petition because Clark County does not provide a local fill-in probate packet. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help identify accounts, balances and clues that affect estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's information into an organized Clark County filing packet, including the local filing address, mailing address and the Kansas forms that apply.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, real estate work, a contested filing or help with the six-month will rule under K.S.A. 59-617, Sunset can connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement path, organize documents and decide what to do next without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Clark County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court for Clark County at the Clark County Courthouse, 913 Highland Avenue, Ashland, KS 67831 (K.S.A. 20-343). Mail filings go to PO Box 790, Ashland, KS 67831.
What is the probate filing fee in Clark County?
The probate estate or will filing amount is $131.50, current after July 1, 2026, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs, including publication costs, may also be charged as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104(d)).
Can I use e-filing for a Clark County probate?
Kansas-licensed attorneys file electronically under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 122. A self-represented filer in Clark County uses in person delivery, mail to PO Box 790, fax to 620-635-2155 or the courthouse drop box.
Does Clark County have local probate forms?
Clark County does not provide a county-specific probate packet online. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms where a form exists, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, the case-filing cover sheets and the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
How do I look up a Clark County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Clark County documents are available online for filings from September 12, 2022 forward, and case information is searchable through the statewide system.
Can I appear by phone or video instead of traveling to Ashland?
You can ask for a phone or video appearance by motion under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. The judge decides whether to allow a remote appearance, and the request should be made early enough to notify the other parties.
What happens if the will is not filed within six months?
Kansas requires a petition to probate a Kansas resident's will within six months after death or the will cannot pass property unless a statutory savings provision applies (K.S.A. 59-617). Filing a will, or a copy, with an affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a inside that window can preserve it for later probate.
When will the Clark County hearing happen?
The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). When K.S.A. 59-2209 notice is required, publication runs once a week for three consecutive weeks, and the hearing date is not earlier than 10 days and not later than 30 days after the last publication. Call the clerk for the current Clark County calendar.
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.