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Crawford County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Crawford County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Crawford County District Court, Kansas's 11th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-212) |
| Current probate filing location | Crawford County Judicial Center, 602 N Locust St., Pittsburg, KS 66762 |
| Pittsburg phone and fax | Phone: 620-231-0380. Fax: 620-231-0316. |
| Pittsburg hours | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, open through lunch. |
| Girard courthouse | Crawford County Courthouse, 111 E Forest St., 3rd Floor, Girard, KS 66743. Historical probate filings before 1996. |
| Girard phone and fax | Phone: 620-724-6212. Fax: 620-724-4987. |
| Girard hours | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, closed through lunch. |
| Mailing address | No separate PO Box is published for either Crawford County location. Use the applicable street address above. |
| Filing fee | $131.50, as of August 2026, for a probate estate filing. That is $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs are taxed as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d). |
| Local forms | No Crawford County-specific probate packet was found on the Crawford County court pages. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer uses in-person filing, mail, fax or a drop box. |
| Drop box | Crawford County is not one of the Kansas counties excluded from the statewide drop-box rule. A self-represented filing placed in the applicable drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch, https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Crawford County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents depend on that date and public-access limits. |
| Remote appearance | Ask by motion under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). The judge decides whether a phone or video appearance is allowed. |
| Website | Kansas Judicial Branch Crawford County pages for Pittsburg and Girard court locations. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Crawford County, build a clear inventory of what the decedent owned, what was jointly owned, what has a beneficiary designation and what debts or taxes may need attention. That first pass helps determine whether estate settlement needs a court case at the Pittsburg location, a statewide affidavit, a title proceeding or a full administration.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families look for bank, investment, insurance, retirement and other accounts before they choose a probate path. In Crawford County, that matters because the courthouse location, the six-month will rule under K.S.A. 59-617 and the need for letters can all change the next step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Crawford County is filed with the clerk of the district court for Crawford County (K.S.A. 20-343). Crawford County is part of Kansas's 11th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-212), but the filing stays in Crawford County, not in Cherokee County or Labette County.
Crawford County has two district court locations. New probate filings go to the Crawford County Judicial Center at 602 N Locust St. in Pittsburg. The Girard courthouse at 111 E Forest St., 3rd Floor, is the county-seat location and holds historical probate filings before 1996.
Kansas venue depends on residence and real property. A resident decedent who owned real property in the county of residence is filed in that county. If the decedent did not own real property in the county of residence, filing may be in the county of residence or a county where the decedent owned real property. A nonresident estate may be filed in a county where property is to be administered. The first properly filed proceeding controls, and a case filed in the wrong Kansas county is transferred to the proper county (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Find the will, death certificate, asset list and debt list first. If the decedent was a Kansas resident and left a will, decide promptly whether to petition for probate of the will, because Kansas gives the will six months from death to be made effective unless a savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617).
- If the family is not ready to open a full estate, ask whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a is needed to preserve the will. If a small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b fits, remember that it is presented to the bank or other holder of personal property, not filed as a Crawford County court case.
- Choose the court path if a court order or letters are needed: refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250 when that route is available, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301 or administration under the Kansas simplified estates act or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition required by Kansas law. If you want simplified administration, ask for it and give the reasons in the petition because the court decides that request 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 filing amount under K.S.A. 59-104, ask about a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File a new Crawford County probate at the Crawford County Judicial Center, 602 N Locust St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. A self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 620-231-0316 or in the applicable drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time. Kansas-licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122).
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). If notice by publication is required, it is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, and the mailing rules and hearing window are governed by K.S.A. 59-2209. Notice to creditors is handled under K.S.A. 59-709.
- If a surviving spouse is involved, make sure the elective-share notice duty is addressed within the statutory time required by K.S.A. 59-2233. If you need to appear by phone or video, file the Kansas Judicial Council motion and ask the judge for permission under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
- At or after the hearing, the court, not the clerk, admits the will and grants letters testamentary to an executor under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration to an administrator under K.S.A. 59-705.
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days under K.S.A. 59-1201 unless the court allows more time. Claims are handled under the later-of rule in K.S.A. 59-2239, including four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors.
- Administer the estate, pay allowed debts and taxes, sell or transfer property only through the proper authority and close with a petition for final settlement and the court's final decree under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Crawford County
Kansas publishes free statewide forms through the Kansas Judicial Council, and those are the forms Crawford County filers should start with. The statewide forms include the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, case-filing cover sheets, the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
No Crawford County-specific probate packet, local probate checklist or local probate cover sheet was found on the Crawford County Pittsburg and Girard court pages. Kansas also does not publish a fill-in statewide petition for probate of a will or petition for administration, so those petitions are drafted from the Kansas Probate Code requirements or with a lawyer's help.
Fees
| Fee or cost | Crawford County detail |
|---|---|
| Probate estate filing | $131.50, as of August 2026, consisting of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Written record search requests | Crawford County states that all record search requests must be in writing. Copies are 25 cents per page, and the hourly search fee is $12, as of August 2026. Case numbers speed processing. |
| Other court costs | Publication, service, attorney, executor, appraiser and other allowed costs may be taxed and billed against the estate as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d). |
Local nuance
Crawford County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Two court cities | Crawford County district court sits in both Pittsburg and Girard, and K.S.A. 4-212 specifically names both cities in Kansas's 11th Judicial District. |
| Current probate filings | New probate filings go to the Pittsburg location, Crawford County Judicial Center, 602 N Locust St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. The Girard location lists probate filings before 1996. |
| Case number clue | As a general Crawford County rule, a case number ending in P is in the Pittsburg division, and a case number ending in G is in the Girard division. |
| Different lunch access | The Pittsburg location is open through lunch. The Girard location closes through lunch. |
| Girard address caution | The Girard courthouse address is 111 E Forest St., 3rd Floor, Girard, KS 66743. The Pittsburg ZIP is 66762. |
Recent updates
| Change | What changed |
|---|---|
| Probate filing surcharge | The $22 surcharge, effective under the 2026 court-fee act, is authorized through June 30, 2030, and is part of the $131.50 probate estate filing amount under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Nonresident fiduciary agent | For a nonresident fiduciary, the resident agent may reside anywhere in Kansas under the 2026 amendment to K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| Creditor publication timing | The notice to creditors publication window is 30 days after filing under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| Small estates affidavit | The Small Estates Affidavit amount is $75,000, effective July 1, 2023, under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
| CaseSearch | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide district court case-information search, and Crawford County's Kansas eCourt start date is November 2, 2020. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by confirming how the Crawford County home is titled. Joint tenancy, a transfer-on-death deed under K.S.A. 59-3501 recorded with the register of deeds under K.S.A. 59-3502 or a probate transfer can lead to different steps. The spouse may also need the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215 and the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233. | Sunset helps find accounts, organize title and beneficiary information and prepare the estate settlement plan before filing in Pittsburg. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If there is no Kansas real estate and the statewide affidavit fits, the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b may collect 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 under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706. | Sunset helps decide whether an affidavit, a Pittsburg court filing or an attorney-guided administration is the better estate settlement path. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not transfer the home. 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. If there is a will, do not miss the six-month rule under K.S.A. 59-617. | Sunset helps identify assets, flag real estate issues and connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney for sale authority and closing documents. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Crawford County District Court Self-Help Center | Listed for Crawford County with computers and a printer. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. It is not staffed. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate self-help | Statewide probate and elder law information is available at https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw. |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free statewide forms include 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 and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). |
| Kansas Legal Services | Statewide civil legal aid organization. Intake phone: 316-267-3975. Phone intake hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Help depends on eligibility and case priorities. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansas residents age 60 or older may call 316-267-3975 for information about the Kansas Elder Hotline through Kansas Legal Services. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer: https://ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals. |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch | Free statewide case-information search at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Crawford County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families identify bank, investment, retirement, insurance and other accounts before filing. That helps determine whether Crawford County estate settlement needs a Pittsburg court filing, an affidavit or attorney help.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for the petition, asset list, notices and statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms, including the case-filing cover sheet and self-represented filer form when a family is filing without a lawyer.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves real estate, a late or nearly late will, a fiduciary outside Kansas or contested family issues, Sunset can connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney who understands Crawford County filing practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, discover assets and understand the next probate step without paying Sunset for the service.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a new probate case in Crawford County?
File a new Crawford County probate case at the Crawford County Judicial Center, 602 N Locust St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. The Girard courthouse lists probate filings before 1996, while Pittsburg lists probate from 1996 forward.
Why are there two Crawford County court locations?
Crawford County is one of the Kansas counties where district court sits in two cities. K.S.A. 4-212 names both Pittsburg and Girard as court cities in Kansas's 11th Judicial District.
Can I file Crawford County probate papers by e-filing?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer uses in-person filing, mail, fax or a drop box instead, with new probate filings directed to the Pittsburg location.
Can I appear remotely for a Crawford County probate hearing?
You may ask by motion under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), and the judge decides whether a remote appearance is allowed. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council motion and notify the other parties.
How do I look up a Crawford County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Crawford County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents depend on that date and public-access rules. Older or unavailable documents are handled at the courthouse.
Are there Crawford County probate forms?
No Crawford County-specific probate packet was found on the Crawford County court pages. 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 and the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
What is the filing fee to open a Crawford County probate estate?
The probate estate filing amount is $131.50, as of August 2026, which is $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs can be billed against the estate as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d).
Do I have to travel to Pittsburg if I live outside Kansas?
Not always. You can ask for a remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), and an out-of-state executor or administrator can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706. The judge decides appearance requests.
What happens if the will is not filed within six months in Crawford County?
Kansas gives a will six months from death to be made effective unless a savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready for full administration, ask quickly about filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a or another preserving step.
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.