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Finney County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Finney County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Finney County District Court, Kansas's 25th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-226) |
| Courthouse address | Finney County Courthouse, 425 N 8th St, Garden City, KS 67846 |
| Mailing address | Use the courthouse street address. No separate mailing box was listed for the clerk of the district court in the Finney County court information reviewed for this page (K.S.A. 20-343). |
| Phone | 620-271-6120 |
| Fax | 620-271-6140 |
| Hours | The Finney court pages do not list clerk counter hours. Call 620-271-6120 before visiting or mailing a time sensitive filing. |
| Filing fee | $131.50 as of August 2026 for probate of an estate or will, made up of the $109.50 statutory amount 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). |
| E-filing status | Kansas licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer in Finney County files in person, by mail, by fax or in the courthouse drop box. |
| Drop box | Available for self-represented filings. 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. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch, https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Finney County joined Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022, so documents from that date forward may be reachable online; courthouse terminals remain the place to check the full public file. |
| Local forms | The 25th Judicial District forms page points to free Kansas Judicial Council forms and does not list a Finney specific probate form. |
| Remote appearance | A phone or video appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). Use the Kansas Judicial Council motion form and ask the clerk which process the assigned judge uses. |
| Website | https://ks25jd.org/157/Finney |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Finney County, make a practical list of what the person owned, what they owed, whether there is a will, and whether any account or deed already names a beneficiary. The right estate settlement path depends on those facts, especially if a home in or outside Finney County must be sold.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can identify accounts, insurance, investments and debts before choosing a Kansas probate route. That helps you decide what needs a court filing in Garden City and what may pass outside probate.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Finney County probate is handled by the Finney County District Court at the Finney County Courthouse in Garden City. The filing office is the Finney County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343). Finney County is part of Kansas's 25th Judicial District with Scott, Wichita, Greeley, Hamilton and Kearny counties (K.S.A. 4-226), but a Finney County case is filed in Garden City.
Kansas venue turns on residence and real property. If the decedent was a Kansas resident and owned real property in the county of residence, probate or administration belongs in that county. If the resident did not own real property in the county of residence, the case may be filed in the county of residence or in a county where the decedent owned real property. For a nonresident, the case may be filed in any Kansas county where estate property is to be administered. If proceedings start in more than one county, the first filed proceeding controls until venue is decided, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred to the proper county (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the will if there is one, known debts, beneficiary information and an asset list. If the decedent was a Kansas resident with a will, decide promptly whether to file a petition for probate of the will in Finney County. Kansas gives the will six months after death to be petitioned for probate, unless a statutory savings step applies (K.S.A. 59-617).
- If the family is not ready to open an estate but wants to preserve the will, ask whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a is the right step. The will or a copy can be filed for record in the district court of the decedent's last residence, and a will filed that way inside the six month period may be admitted later (K.S.A. 59-617; K.S.A. 59-618a).
- Choose the Kansas route that fits the assets. A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b is furnished to the bank or other holder for personal property when the statutory conditions are met. Court routes include refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, determination of descent after the required time has run under K.S.A. 59-2250, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, and simplified or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition using the statutory requirements for administration or probate of a will. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give reasons for it (K.S.A. 59-3202). A new case also needs the Kansas case filing cover sheet, and a self-represented filer needs the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
- File with the Finney County clerk of the district court at 425 N 8th St in Garden City, by mail to that address, by fax to 620-271-6140 or in the courthouse drop box (K.S.A. 20-343). A self-represented drop box filing placed by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. The $131.50 filing fee is current as of August 2026 for probate of an estate or will, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). If you cannot afford the fee, ask about the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). Notice is published once each week for three consecutive weeks, and mailed to heirs, devisees and legatees with the petition and will when required (K.S.A. 59-2209). Notice to creditors is published under the court's order within 30 days after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-709).
- If the decedent left a surviving spouse, make sure the required elective share notice is handled within 10 days when that duty applies (K.S.A. 59-2233). The hearing date must follow the Kansas notice timing, and any request to appear by phone or video should be made by motion under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
- At or after the hearing, the court admits the will and grants letters testamentary to a qualified executor when there is a will (K.S.A. 59-701), or grants letters of administration to a qualified administrator when there is no will (K.S.A. 59-705). The clerk files papers and collects fees, while the court grants the authority.
- After letters are granted, the personal representative files the inventory and valuation within 30 days unless the court allows more time (K.S.A. 59-1201). Claims are governed by the Kansas nonclaim rule, including the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice for a known or reasonably ascertainable creditor (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- Pay allowed debts, taxes and expenses, then seek final settlement. The court reviews the petition for final settlement and accounting and enters the final decree assigning the estate (K.S.A. 59-2247; K.S.A. 59-2249). Sunset can help keep the estate settlement tasks organized while you work with the assigned Finney County judge and the clerk's office.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Finney County
Probate forms in Finney County start with the free Kansas Judicial Council forms. The 25th Judicial District's forms page sends users to the Judicial Council's 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 Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
The district does not list a Finney specific probate form or checklist. Kansas Judicial Council forms do not include a fill-in petition to open a probate estate, so the petition is drafted from the Kansas Probate Code requirements or with help from a Kansas probate attorney.
Local nuance
Finney County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Administrative center of the 25th Judicial District | Finney County is in Kansas's 25th Judicial District, and at least two of the district's three district judge positions are in Finney County (K.S.A. 4-226). That does not move probate filings from other counties into Garden City, and it does not move a Finney County filing out of Garden City. |
| Case assignment | Finney County probate cases are assigned by rotation among the district's judges, rather than to the monthly motion day used for the other five counties in the district. The clerk can tell you which judge is assigned to a filed case. |
| Finney County magistrate | A district magistrate judge sits in Finney County, and Kansas law allows a district magistrate judge to hear probate matters, including matters involving title to real estate (K.S.A. 20-302b). Do not assume the appeal route from that judge without asking counsel or the court. |
| Self-help location | The Finney County self-help resource is at the Finney County Public Library, not in the courthouse. It offers equipment, internet access, meeting rooms and a notary public, but it does not provide legal advice. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court fee surcharge | The $22 surcharge authority for probate filings was extended through June 30, 2030. The probate estate total remains $131.50 as of August 2026, made up of $109.50 plus $22 (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent may now reside anywhere in Kansas, not only in the county of appointment (K.S.A. 59-1706). |
| 2025 CaseSearch change | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is now the statewide search site for district court case information. Finney County joined Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022. |
| 2024 creditor notice window | The window to publish notice to creditors changed from 10 days to 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709). |
| 2023 small estates affidavit amount | The Small Estates Affidavit amount under K.S.A. 59-1507b increased to $75,000 effective July 1, 2023. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Finney County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking how the Garden City area home is titled and whether a court filing is needed for the real estate. A termination of joint tenancy has its own $70.50 filing fee as of August 2026 (K.S.A. 59-104). Spousal notices and allowance questions may also matter under K.S.A. 59-2233, K.S.A. 59-6a215 and K.S.A. 59-403. | Sunset helps collect asset details, identify nonprobate transfers, and organize the questions to take to a Finney County probate attorney. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate has no real estate and the total probate assets fit the Small Estates Affidavit requirements, the Kansas Judicial Council affidavit may move personal property without letters (K.S.A. 59-1507b). If letters are needed, an out-of-state executor or administrator can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing and filing the acceptance with the court (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706). Ask about appearing by phone or video under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset helps locate accounts, generate an estate settlement task list, and connect the family with a Kansas attorney when letters or real estate issues make the case more complex. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The Small Estates Affidavit cannot transfer the home (K.S.A. 59-1507b). 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, keep the six month deadline in mind (K.S.A. 59-617). | Sunset helps assemble property, debt and beneficiary information so the petition filed in Garden City is based on a complete picture. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Finney County clerk of the district court | Receives probate filings, collects the filing fee under K.S.A. 59-104, provides case number information, and can tell you current counter hours and assigned judge information. Court staff cannot provide legal advice. | 425 N 8th St, Garden City, KS 67846. Phone 620-271-6120. Fax 620-271-6140. |
| 25th Judicial District website | Finney County court page and district forms page. The forms page points to Kansas Judicial Council forms. | https://ks25jd.org/157/Finney |
| Finney County Public Library self-help resource | Computer, printer, fax, scanner, copier, Wi-Fi, private meeting rooms and notary public. Library hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. | Use the Finney County Public Library self-help listing through the Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help Center directory. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help probate page | Plain language probate and elder law information, glossary and links to forms. It is informational only. | https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free statewide forms, including the Small Estates Affidavit (K.S.A. 59-1507b), case filing cover sheet, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, Poverty Affidavit (K.S.A. 59-104), and Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | https://www.kjc.ks.gov/legal-forms |
| Kansas Legal Services | Nonprofit civil legal help for low and moderate income Kansans, subject to eligibility and priorities. It also provides the Kansas Elder Hotline for Kansas residents age 60 or older. | 316-267-3975. Intake is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer, including a probate lawyer. | https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
When to hire an attorney
A Kansas probate attorney is especially useful in Finney County when a will deadline is close, real estate must be sold, family members disagree, a creditor issue is expected, a nonresident fiduciary needs a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, or you are deciding between refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, and simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. Kansas allows compensation for the fiduciary and attorney only as the court finds just and reasonable (K.S.A. 59-1717). Sunset connects to 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 and debts before the Finney County filing is prepared.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the family's information into an organized estate settlement packet, including asset lists, contact information, deadlines and the Kansas forms that apply.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Finney County case needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kansas probate attorney who understands Garden City filings and 25th Judicial District practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand next steps and decide when to bring in professional help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Finney County?
File with the Finney County clerk of the district court at the Finney County Courthouse, 425 N 8th St, Garden City, KS 67846 (K.S.A. 20-343). Probate is handled by the Finney County District Court, in Kansas's 25th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-226).
Can I e-file a Finney County probate case myself?
Kansas licensed attorneys must e-file under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer in Finney County files in person, by mail, by fax to 620-271-6140 or in the courthouse drop box.
What is the filing fee to open a probate estate in Finney County?
The filing fee for probate of an estate or will is $131.50 as of August 2026, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). Other costs, such as publication and service costs, can also be charged as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104).
Does Finney County have local probate forms?
The 25th Judicial District forms page points to Kansas Judicial Council forms and does not list a Finney specific probate form. Use the Judicial Council forms that apply, including the case filing cover sheet, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104, and Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b.
What is the six month will deadline in Finney County?
For a Kansas resident, a will generally cannot pass property unless a petition for probate of that will is filed within six months after death (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready for full administration, ask promptly whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a or another statutory step preserves the will.
Can I appear by phone or video for a Finney County probate hearing?
A remote appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). File the Kansas Judicial Council motion, notify the other parties, and ask the clerk which process the assigned Finney County judge uses.
How do I look up a Finney County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Finney County joined Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022, so documents from that date forward may be reachable online, while older documents and any records not shown online should be checked at the courthouse terminal.
Do I have to travel to Garden City if I live out of state?
You may still need a Kansas filing, but travel is not always the first step. A nonresident executor or administrator can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing and filing the agent's acceptance with the court (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706). You can also ask for a phone or video appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
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.