Back to Kansas
Kingman County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Kingman County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Kingman County District Court, Kansas's 30th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-231) |
| Filing office | Clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343), Kingman County Courthouse |
| Courthouse address | 130 N Spruce, Kingman, KS 67068 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 495, Kingman, KS 67068 |
| Phone | 620-532-5151 |
| Fax | 620-532-2952 |
| Clerk counter hours | Call 620-532-5151 before a filing trip. The court contact page does not list clerk counter hours. |
| Self-help center hours | Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The room is not staffed. |
| Filing fee | $131.50 as of August 2026 for a probate estate, consisting of the $109.50 amount 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. |
| Local forms | No Kingman County probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or local probate checklist is posted. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms. |
| E-filing | Attorney e-filing is required under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A family filing without a lawyer uses the self-represented filing choices: in person, mail, fax, or the Kingman County drop box. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch, https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Kingman County documents are available online for public cases from the 30th Judicial District's Kansas eCourt start date, September 12, 2022. Older documents and materials not available online can be reviewed at the courthouse terminal. |
| Remote appearance | Ask by motion under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). The Kansas Judicial Council has a free Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video. |
| Court website | https://www.kscourts.gov/30th-Judicial-District/30th-Judicial-Dirstict/Kingman-County-District-Court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before choosing a Kingman County filing path, list the decedent's assets, debts, real estate, beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and any will. Kansas has routes that do not all do the same thing, so the asset list controls whether you need a court case, a will-preserving filing, a real-estate order, or only a bank-facing affidavit.
Sunset helps families start estate settlement by searching for accounts and assets across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizing what you find into the paperwork and attorney handoff Kingman County families usually need.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Kingman County is filed with the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) at the Kingman County Courthouse in Kingman. Kingman County is part of Kansas's 30th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-231), along with Barber, Harper, Pratt, and Sumner counties, but your Kingman County case is filed at the Kingman County courthouse, not at another county's counter.
Kansas venue depends on residence and real property. If the decedent was a Kansas resident and owned real property in the county of residence, the proceeding belongs in that county. If the decedent did not own real property in the county of residence, the filing may be in the county of residence or in a county where the decedent owned real property. For a nonresident decedent, the filing may be in a Kansas county where estate property is to be administered. A first-filed proceeding controls until venue is determined, 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 one exists, asset information, debts, real-estate information, and contact information for heirs and devisees. If there is a will, decide before six months from death whether to file a petition to probate it, or at least file a will or copy with an affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a to preserve it, because the will rule is tied to K.S.A. 59-617.
- Choose the local filing path. A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b is presented to the bank or other holder for qualifying personal property and is not a Kingman County court filing. A 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 under K.S.A. 59-3202 requires a district court filing.
- Prepare the petition. For administration, use the statutory requirements in K.S.A. 59-2219 or 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 required statewide filing papers. A new Kingman County case needs a case-filing cover sheet. A person filing without a lawyer also files the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If the filing fee cannot be paid, include a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) at 130 N Spruce in Kingman, by mail to PO Box 495, Kingman, KS 67068, by fax to 620-532-2952, or in the Kingman County drop box. A drop-box filing deposited by 4:00 p.m. local time counts that day. Pay the $131.50 probate estate filing fee as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104, unless the court grants fee relief under a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- After filing, the court fixes the hearing. A Kansas probate petition is not granted at the filing counter. The court sets the time and place for the hearing under K.S.A. 59-2222.
- Give notice. Hearing notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks under K.S.A. 59-2209, with mailing to heirs, devisees, and legatees as required. The petitioner also gives notice to creditors under K.S.A. 59-709. Known or reasonably ascertainable creditors receive actual notice, and claim timing is governed by K.S.A. 59-2239.
- Ask for a remote appearance if needed. A participant may request phone or video attendance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), using the Kansas Judicial Council motion form. The judge decides whether to allow it.
- Attend the hearing. If the legal requirements are met, the court admits the will and grants letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701, or appoints an administrator and grants letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705.
- Administer the estate. The personal representative files the inventory and valuation within 30 days after letters are granted under K.S.A. 59-1201, handles claims under K.S.A. 59-2239, pays debts and taxes, manages or sells assets as allowed by court order and Kansas law, and keeps estate settlement records.
- Close the case. When administration is ready to finish, file the petition for final settlement and accounting. The court enters a final decree assigning the estate under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249. If real estate is involved, the decree is used for the county clerk's transfer process under K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Kingman County
Kingman County does not post a local probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or local probate checklist. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms and draft the estate petition from the Kansas Probate Code requirements or with attorney help.
| Form or resource | Use in Kingman County |
|---|---|
| Small Estates Affidavit | Used for qualifying personal property under K.S.A. 59-1507b. It is presented to the holder of the property, not filed as a Kingman County case. |
| Case-filing cover sheet | Required for a new district court case. |
| Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form | Required when you file without a lawyer. |
| Poverty Affidavit | Used to ask for fee relief under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Rule 119 fax transmission sheet | Used if you file by fax to 620-532-2952. |
| Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video | Used to request a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). |
Local nuance
Kingman County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Kingman County filing |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | Use PO Box 495, Kingman, KS 67068 for mail filings. The courthouse street address is 130 N Spruce, Kingman, KS 67068. |
| Fax filing | The court fax number is 620-532-2952. A family filing without a lawyer may use fax as one of the self-represented filing choices, with the fax transmission sheet and payment method required for fax filing. |
| Drop box | Kingman County has a drop box for self-represented filings. A document deposited by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. |
| Self-help room | The District Court Self-Help Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and is not staffed. It offers a computer, printer, and paper court forms. |
| Kansas eCourt date | The 30th Judicial District, including Kingman County, began Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022. Case documents available online through CaseSearch generally begin from that date for public cases. |
| Local website | The 30th Judicial District does not have a separate court website. Kingman County court contact information is hosted on the Kansas Judicial Branch site. |
Recent updates
| Change | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court-fee legislation | The $22 surcharge authority for probate filing fees under K.S.A. 59-104 now runs through June 30, 2030. The Kingman County probate estate filing fee is $131.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent now may live anywhere in Kansas, rather than in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2024 creditor-notice timing | The petitioner now gives notice to creditors within 30 days after filing under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small-estates update | The small estates affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
| Kingman County online documents | The 30th Judicial District, including Kingman County, began Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022, which affects which public case documents appear online in CaseSearch. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Kingman County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled. A jointly held home may need a termination of joint tenancy filing rather than a full estate case. Also flag the spouse's homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, family allowance issues under K.S.A. 59-403, and the spouse notice under K.S.A. 59-2233. | Sunset helps gather deeds, account information, and the asset list so the spouse can see whether estate settlement needs a Kingman County filing or a narrower title step. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate has qualifying personal property and fits the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the affidavit may be presented to the holder without opening a Kingman County 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 a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare a probate packet, and connect the child with a Kingman County attorney if a court order or letters are 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. The parent should compare 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, and must keep the will timing under K.S.A. 59-617 in mind if a will exists. | Sunset organizes the asset search, debt picture, and real-estate documents so the attorney can choose the Kingman County filing path and prepare for sale approval if needed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Kingman County District Court Self-Help Center | Unstaffed room with a computer, printer, and paper court forms. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Kingman County Courthouse, 130 N Spruce, Kingman, KS 67068 |
| Clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) | Receives Kingman County filings, accepts the $131.50 probate estate filing fee under K.S.A. 59-104, and can answer filing-counter questions such as current hours and payment logistics. | 620-532-5151, fax 620-532-2952, mail to PO Box 495, Kingman, KS 67068 |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate self-help | Statewide probate information and links to Kansas forms. | https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free statewide forms, including the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, SRL Certification Form, case-filing cover sheet, Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104, and 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 | Statewide civil legal aid information and intake for eligible Kansans, subject to program priorities. | 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Free legal advice program for Kansas residents age 60 or older who qualify. | 316-267-3975 |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Referral route for finding a private Kansas lawyer. | https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch | Free statewide search for Kansas district court case information. Kingman County online documents generally begin from September 12, 2022 for public cases. | https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/ |
When to hire an 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 shape the Kingman County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family intake, asset list, heirs, debts, and will information into an organized packet that can support a Kingman County filing or an attorney review.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701, letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705, a real-estate order, or court strategy, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand next steps, and get matched with professional help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Kingman County?
File with the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) for the Kingman County District Court at the Kingman County Courthouse, 130 N Spruce, Kingman, KS 67068. Mail filings go to PO Box 495, Kingman, KS 67068.
What is the Kingman County probate filing fee?
The probate estate filing fee is $131.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104. That includes the $109.50 amount plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. If you cannot pay, ask about a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
Can I e-file a Kingman County probate case?
Attorney e-filing is required under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A family filing without a lawyer uses the self-represented filing choices: in person, mail, fax to 620-532-2952, or the Kingman County drop box.
Does Kingman County have local probate forms?
Kingman County does not post a local probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or local probate checklist. 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 remote appearance motion under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
What if I do not know the clerk's hours?
Call 620-532-5151 before traveling to file. The Kingman County court contact page gives the address, mailing address, phone, and fax, but it does not list clerk counter hours. The posted District Court Self-Help Center hours are for an unstaffed room and should not be treated as the clerk's counter schedule.
Can I appear by phone or video in a Kingman County probate hearing?
You may ask for a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103) by motion, and the Kansas Judicial Council provides a free form. The judge decides whether to allow phone or video attendance.
How do I look up a Kingman County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Kingman County case information is searchable statewide. Online case documents for public cases generally begin with the 30th Judicial District's Kansas eCourt start date, September 12, 2022. Older documents and documents not available online can be reviewed at the courthouse terminal.
Is there a deadline to file a will in Kingman County?
Yes. For a Kansas resident, a will must be petitioned for probate within six months after death under K.S.A. 59-617, unless a statutory savings rule applies. Filing a will or copy with an affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a inside that window can preserve it for later probate.
Do I have to travel to Kingman County if I live out of state?
Not always. You can ask for a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), but the judge decides. An out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706.
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.