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Dickinson County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Dickinson County District Court, in Kansas's 8th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-209) |
| Courthouse address | Dickinson County Courthouse, 109 E 1st Street, Abilene, KS 67410 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 127, Abilene, KS 67410 |
| Clerk phone | 785-263-3142 |
| Fax | 785-263-4407 |
| Hours | Specific clerk counter hours are not published for Dickinson County. Call 785-263-3142 before making a filing trip. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50, made up of the $109.50 statutory docket fee 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 Dickinson County probate form or checklist is published. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms where they apply. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122. A self-represented filer uses the clerk's office, mail, fax or the courthouse drop box. |
| Drop box | A self-represented drop box is posted at the Dickinson County courthouse. A drop-box filing made by 4:00 p.m. local time is treated as filed that day under the Kansas self-represented filing rule. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide search. Dickinson County documents are online from the court's Kansas eCourt start date of August 5, 2019, while older public documents are available at the courthouse terminal. |
| Remote appearance | Remote appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. Ask by motion and check with the clerk about the judge's procedure. |
| Website | 8thkscourts.gov |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before choosing a probate filing in Dickinson County, make a working list of the estate's assets, debts, account holders, real estate, vehicles and named beneficiaries. Kansas routes turn on facts such as whether the decedent left a will, whether real estate must be transferred, whether letters are needed and whether a will must be protected within the deadline in K.S.A. 59-617.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, so you are not guessing which accounts, insurance policies or liabilities need attention before filing in Abilene.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Dickinson County probate filings go to the clerk of the district court at the Dickinson County Courthouse, 109 E 1st Street, Abilene, with mail sent to P.O. Box 127, Abilene, KS 67410. Kansas law places a clerk of the district court in each county, so Dickinson County keeps its own filing counter even though the county shares Kansas's 8th Judicial District with Geary, Marion and Morris counties (K.S.A. 20-343; K.S.A. 4-209).
Venue for a Kansas probate proceeding depends on residence and real property. If the decedent was a Kansas resident who owned real property in the county of residence, file in that county. If the resident owned no real property in the county of residence, venue may be the county of residence or any county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, venue may be any county where estate property is to be administered. The first-filed proceeding controls, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred rather than dismissed (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the will if there is one, account information, real estate records, debts and beneficiary information before choosing an estate settlement path.
- If there is a will, decide promptly whether to petition for probate of the will. A Kansas resident's will cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death, unless a statutory savings provision applies (K.S.A. 59-617). If you are not ready for a full estate, ask about filing a will and affidavit, which can preserve a will or a copy under K.S.A. 59-618a.
- Choose the Kansas route that fits the assets. The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b is a no-court personal-property tool, not a house-transfer tool. Court routes 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, and simplified or supervised administration as the court decides under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition using the Kansas Probate Code requirements. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give reasons, because the court decides whether the estate is simplified or supervised 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.
- File with the clerk of the district court in Abilene, by mail to P.O. Box 127, by fax to 785-263-4407 with the Rule 119 fax transmission sheet, or by the self-represented drop box. As of August 2026, the probate estate docket fee is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, or you may file a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 if you cannot afford the fee.
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed. The clerk accepts the papers and fee, but the court admits the will, appoints the executor or administrator and grants letters testamentary or letters of administration (K.S.A. 59-2222; K.S.A. 59-701; K.S.A. 59-705).
- Give notice as ordered. Hearing notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, and required mailings go out after the first publication with the petition and will when applicable (K.S.A. 59-2209). Notice to creditors is published within 30 days after filing the petition under K.S.A. 59-709.
- If there is a surviving spouse, send the required elective-share notice within 10 days when that duty applies under K.S.A. 59-2233.
- Attend the hearing in Abilene unless the court allows a remote appearance. Remote appearance is discretionary and must be requested under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103.
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days unless the court allows more time (K.S.A. 59-1201). Creditors must present claims within the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice to a known or reasonably ascertainable creditor (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- Pay allowed debts, taxes and expenses, then seek final settlement. The court's final decree assigns the estate, and real estate decrees are handled through the county clerk's transfer record when required (K.S.A. 59-2247; K.S.A. 59-2249).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Dickinson County
No Dickinson County-specific probate petition, checklist or cover sheet is published for this court. Use the free statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms where they apply, including 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 for a request under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103.
Kansas does not publish a fill-in petition for every probate estate. Petitions are drafted from the Kansas Probate Code requirements, or with a lawyer's help, and filed with the Dickinson County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343).
Local nuance
Dickinson County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a filing |
|---|---|
| 8th Judicial District | Dickinson County shares Kansas's 8th Judicial District with Geary, Marion and Morris counties, but Dickinson County probate is filed in Abilene with the Dickinson County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 4-209; K.S.A. 20-343). |
| Unstaffed self-help room | The courthouse self-help room offers paper forms, a computer, printer access, public phone access and community resource guides, but it is not staffed and does not provide legal advice. |
| Virtual Legal Aid Day | The self-help listing gives a virtual Legal Aid Day on the second Wednesday of each month, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by appointment, with applications available from the court clerk. |
| Drop box for self-represented filers | The courthouse has a drop box posted for self-represented parties. Use the 4:00 p.m. local cutoff for same-day filing, especially when the will deadline under K.S.A. 59-617 matters. |
| Kansas eCourt start date | Dickinson County joined Kansas eCourt on August 5, 2019, so documents from that date forward may be available through Kansas Courts CaseSearch. Public records not online are available at the courthouse terminal. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court-fee update | The $22 surcharge authority for probate docket fees was extended through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. As of August 2026, the statewide probate estate filing total in Dickinson County is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary update | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent may reside anywhere in Kansas, rather than in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2024 creditor-notice update | The window for publishing notice to creditors changed to within 30 days after filing the petition under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small-estate update | The Small Estates Affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
| Case-search update | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the live statewide search for district court case information. Dickinson County documents are online from the county's Kansas eCourt start date of August 5, 2019. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Dickinson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether a court filing is needed for title. Kansas also has spouse protections, including the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215 and the required spouse notice under K.S.A. 59-2233. File any needed Dickinson County papers in Abilene. | Sunset helps gather account and property information so the spouse can see what is probate property, what may pass outside probate and what needs a local filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate has only personal property and fits the $75,000 amount under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the Small Estates Affidavit may avoid a court case. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, and may ask for remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. | Sunset helps locate accounts, prepare an estate settlement plan and connect the family with local counsel if a Dickinson County filing is needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not transfer 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 under K.S.A. 59-3202 fits the home sale and the will deadline in K.S.A. 59-617. | Sunset helps organize assets, debts and real estate details, then generates a practical packet for the attorney or for the next filing step in Abilene. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Dickinson County clerk of the district court | Receives probate filings at 109 E 1st Street, Abilene, KS 67410, mail at P.O. Box 127, Abilene, KS 67410, phone 785-263-3142, fax 785-263-4407. The clerk of the district court is the filing office under K.S.A. 20-343 and cannot choose a probate route or give legal advice. |
| Dickinson County District Court Self-Help Center | Located at the courthouse. Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., not staffed. Resources include paper court forms, a computer, printer, phone access for the Kansas Legal Services Access to Justice Advice Line, a public phone line and community resource guides. |
| Virtual Legal Aid Day | Second Wednesday of each month, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., by appointment. Applications are available from the court clerk. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate and elder law self-help | Statewide probate glossary and links to Kansas Judicial Council probate forms at self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw. |
| Kansas Judicial Council free forms | Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, case-filing cover sheets, Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 and Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. |
| Kansas Legal Services | Statewide nonprofit civil legal help for eligible Kansans. Call 316-267-3975, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online application runs from 8:00 a.m. Monday to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | For Kansas residents age 60 or older. Call 316-267-3975. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Use ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals to look for a private attorney referral. |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch | Search statewide case information at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Dickinson County documents are online from August 5, 2019, with public records also available at the courthouse terminal. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Kansas probate attorney if the estate includes real estate, a house sale, disagreement among heirs, creditor disputes, an out-of-state personal representative, a late will, tax filings or uncertainty about whether refusal to grant letters, informal administration, simplified administration or supervised administration is the right route. Kansas allows fiduciary and attorney compensation that is just and reasonable under K.S.A. 59-1717, and the court directs how allowed costs are taxed under K.S.A. 59-104(d). Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investments, insurance, retirement accounts and other assets that shape the Dickinson County estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet, including asset lists, family details and next-step documents for the local filing path.
Find a local probate attorney. When a house, creditor issue, late will, nonresident fiduciary or court hearing makes legal help important, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset's estate settlement tools help families understand what exists, what may need probate and what to do next without adding another bill at the start.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Dickinson County?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Dickinson County Courthouse, 109 E 1st Street, Abilene, KS 67410, or mail filings to P.O. Box 127, Abilene, KS 67410. Kansas places a clerk of the district court in each county, so Dickinson County filings stay in Abilene (K.S.A. 20-343).
Can I e-file a Dickinson County probate case myself?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122. A self-represented filer uses the clerk's office, mail, fax to 785-263-4407 or the courthouse drop box. Include the case-filing cover sheet and the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
How much is the Dickinson County probate filing fee?
As of August 2026, a probate estate filing in Dickinson County is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That total is the $109.50 statutory docket fee plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs may be taxed as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d).
Does Dickinson County publish local probate forms?
No Dickinson County-specific probate form or checklist is published. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms where they apply, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, case-filing cover sheets and the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
How do I look up a Dickinson County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch. Case information is searchable statewide, and Dickinson County documents are online from the county's Kansas eCourt start date of August 5, 2019. Older public documents and any public document not online can be viewed at the courthouse terminal.
Can I appear remotely for a Dickinson County probate hearing?
Remote appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. File a motion, notify the other parties and ask the clerk what procedure the assigned judge uses. The Kansas Judicial Council publishes a free Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video.
What is the will deadline in Dickinson County?
The Kansas deadline applies in Dickinson County. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death, unless a statutory savings provision applies (K.S.A. 59-617). Filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a can preserve a will or a copy if done in time.
Does the Dickinson County courthouse have self-help resources?
Yes. The Dickinson County District Court Self-Help Center is listed at the courthouse, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is not staffed. It offers paper forms, computer and printer access, phone access and community resource guides, plus a virtual Legal Aid Day by appointment on the second Wednesday of each month.
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.