Back to Kansas
Logan County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Logan County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Logan County District Court, in Kansas's 15th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-216) |
| Courthouse address | Logan County Courthouse, 710 W 2nd St., Oakley, KS 67748 |
| Mailing address | Logan County District Court, 710 W 2nd St., Oakley, KS 67748. No separate mailing box is posted for the district court, so call before mailing time-sensitive filings. |
| Phone | 785-671-3654 for the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) |
| Fax | 785-671-3517 |
| Hours | Clerk counter hours are not posted on the Logan County or 15th Judicial District pages. Call 785-671-3654 before traveling. The Logan County Self-Help Center room is listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and not staffed. |
| Filing fee | As of July 1, 2026, a probate estate filing fee is $131.50, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). Other court costs can be taxed against the estate as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| Local forms | Kansas Judicial Council statewide forms are available. The 15th Judicial District site does not post a Logan County probate packet, local cover sheet, or probate motion-day calendar. |
| Electronic filing | Electronic filing is mandatory for Kansas-licensed attorneys (Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122). A self-represented filer files in person, by mail, by fax, or by the Logan County drop box. |
| Drop box | Available at the Logan County court location. A self-represented filing placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. Central time counts as filed that day. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide search tool. Logan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so online documents generally begin from that court start date, while case information is searchable statewide. |
| Remote appearance | Remote appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. Use the Kansas Judicial Council motion form and ask the Logan County clerk which instructions the judge uses. |
| Website | 15th Judicial District: https://www.15jdks.us/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Logan County, list the assets, debts, beneficiaries, real estate, and any will. The first choice in a Kansas estate settlement is often not the courthouse form, but whether the will must be protected within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617), whether real estate is involved, and whether the family needs letters from the court.
Sunset's estate settlement platform helps families identify accounts and property across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organize debts and beneficiaries, and decide what paperwork belongs in the Logan County packet before anyone pays the filing fee (K.S.A. 59-104).
Which court handles jurisdiction
File Logan County probate matters with the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) at the Logan County Courthouse in Oakley. Logan County is part of Kansas's 15th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-216), but the filing counter for Logan County cases is in Logan County, not in another county in the district.
Kansas venue turns on residence and real property. A probate or administration proceeding is filed in the county where the decedent lived if the decedent owned real property there. If the decedent lived in Kansas but did not own real property in that county, the filing may be in the county of residence or in any county where the decedent owned real property. For a nonresident decedent, Kansas allows filing in a county where the decedent left property to administer. If competing Kansas cases are started, the first-filed case controls until venue is determined, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred rather than dismissed (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Find the will, death certificate, asset list, debt list, real estate information, and names and addresses of heirs and beneficiaries. If there is a will, decide quickly whether to file a petition to probate it or at least preserve it by filing a will or copy with an affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a, because a Kansas will generally cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617).
- Choose the Kansas path before drafting. A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b may work for qualifying personal property when probate assets do not exceed $75,000, effective July 1, 2023, but it is furnished to the property holder, not filed as a court case. If real estate, letters, or a court order is needed, Logan County filings may involve 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 petition. A petition for administration or probate of a will is built from the Kansas Probate Code requirements, including K.S.A. 59-2219 or K.S.A. 59-2220. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give the reasons the court should use that track (K.S.A. 59-3202).
- Add the required filing papers. A new Logan County case needs a case-filing cover sheet, and a self-represented filer must include the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If asking to waive the filing fee, include the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the Logan County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) at 710 W 2nd St. in Oakley. A self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 785-671-3517, or by the courthouse drop box. A drop-box filing placed by 4:00 p.m. Central time counts that day. As of July 1, 2026, a probate estate filing fee is $131.50, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104).
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). Ask the Logan County clerk for the hearing date, whether the judge requires anything before the hearing, and how to request remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103.
- Give notice. When K.S.A. 59-2209 notice is required, it is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, the first publication must be within 30 days after the order setting the hearing, and mailed notice with the petition and attachments goes to the required people within 7 days after the first publication. The petitioner also gives notice to creditors within 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709).
- Attend the hearing. The judge, not the clerk, admits the will when appropriate and grants letters testamentary to an executor named in a will (K.S.A. 59-701) or letters of administration to an administrator when there is no will or no qualified executor (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). Publish and mail creditor notices as ordered. Claims are governed by 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, expenses, and taxes, then close the estate by petition for final settlement and accounting and the court's final decree assigning the estate (K.S.A. 59-2247; K.S.A. 59-2249). If the decree affects real estate, a certified copy is entered on the county clerk's transfer record under K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Logan County
Kansas uses statewide forms from the Kansas Judicial Council, plus petitions drafted from the statutes. The 15th Judicial District site does not post a Logan County probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or Logan County motion-day calendar.
| Form or paperwork | How it applies in Logan County |
|---|---|
| Small Estates Affidavit | The Kansas Judicial Council form is the required statewide form for the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b. It applies only to qualifying personal property when probate assets do not exceed $75,000, effective July 1, 2023 (K.S.A. 59-1507b). |
| Case-filing cover sheet | Use this with a new Logan County court case. |
| Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form | Use this if you are filing without a lawyer. |
| Poverty Affidavit | Use this if asking the court to waive all or part of the filing fee (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video | Use this to ask for remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. |
| Probate Notice of Hearing and Petition for Allowance of Demand | These are the two general probate forms in the Kansas Judicial Council probate folder. Kansas does not provide a fill-in petition for opening a probate estate. |
Local nuance
Logan County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Central time | Logan County is on Central time. Two other counties in the 15th Judicial District use Mountain time, so use Logan County local time for the 4:00 p.m. drop-box cutoff and for any hearing instructions. |
| Kansas eCourt start date | Logan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. Case information is searchable through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, but online documents for Logan County generally begin with filings from that start date. |
| Self-help room | The Logan County Self-Help Center is listed as not staffed, with a laptop available upon request, appointment required for computer use, and private meeting space. It is a resource room, not a legal adviser. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 filing-fee surcharge | As of July 1, 2026, the $22 surcharge for probate filing fees runs through June 30, 2030. In Logan County, a probate estate filing fee is $131.50, made up of $109.50 plus $22 (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident personal representative can serve after appointing a resident agent in Kansas, and the agent may reside anywhere in Kansas under the 2026 amendment to K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2025 CaseSearch change | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide case-search tool. Logan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, which affects which case documents appear online. |
| 2024 creditor notice timing | The petitioner now gives notice to creditors within 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709). |
| 2023 small-estate affidavit amount | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b applies when probate assets do not exceed $75,000, effective July 1, 2023 (K.S.A. 59-1507b). |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Logan County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking title to the home and whether a termination of joint tenancy filing is needed. As of July 1, 2026, that filing is $70.50 (K.S.A. 59-104). Also watch for the spouse's probate notices, including the elective-share notice duty under K.S.A. 59-2233 and homestead allowance issues under K.S.A. 59-6a215. | Sunset helps gather deeds, account information, debts, and beneficiary information so the spouse can see whether a court filing is needed for the estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If there is no real estate and probate assets do not exceed $75,000, effective July 1, 2023, the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b may collect personal property from the holder. If letters are needed, a nonresident personal representative can serve after appointing a resident agent in Kansas and filing the writing with the court (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706). A remote appearance request is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare the right packet, and connect the child with local counsel if the estate needs letters or a hearing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not move a house. The parent should 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 facts. If there is a will, protect the six-month deadline (K.S.A. 59-617). | Sunset organizes the home, mortgage, liens, accounts, and family information so the attorney or filer can choose a Logan County path that supports a sale. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Logan County Self-Help Center | Listed hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The room is listed as not staffed. Resources include a mobile resource center laptop upon request, appointment required for computer use, and private meeting space. |
| Logan County Legal Aid Day | Virtual only. The listed schedule is the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the 4th Wednesday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Appointments are required, and applications are available from the court clerk. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help probate page | Use https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw for statewide probate and elder-law information. |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Use the free statewide Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, Self-Represented Litigant 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 Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. |
| Kansas Legal Services | Call 316-267-3975, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on business days, to ask about eligibility and available civil legal help. Online intake is available during the posted weekly window. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansas residents age 60 or older can call 316-267-3975 to ask whether the Elder Hotline can provide free legal advice. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | Use https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals to look for a private lawyer referral. |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful in Logan County if the estate includes real estate, a will close to the six-month deadline (K.S.A. 59-617), disagreement among heirs, creditor issues, a nonresident personal representative who must appoint a resident agent (K.S.A. 59-1706), or a request for informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301 or simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. Kansas compensation for fiduciaries and their attorneys is allowed as just and reasonable under K.S.A. 59-1717, and Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions and helps organize account, insurance, debt, and property information so the family can see what belongs in the Logan County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized packet for the Logan County filing path, including the documents a self-represented filer may need to assemble with statewide Kansas forms.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves real estate, a contested will, creditor problems, or a court hearing, Sunset can connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney familiar with district court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement tasks, track progress, and decide when professional help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Logan County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343) at the Logan County Courthouse, 710 W 2nd St., Oakley, KS 67748. Logan County is in Kansas's 15th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-216), but Logan County filings stay at the Logan County courthouse.
Can I use electronic filing for a Logan County probate case?
Electronic filing is mandatory for Kansas-licensed attorneys (Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122). A self-represented Logan County filer uses the Kansas self-represented filing channels: in person, by mail, by fax, or by the courthouse drop box.
What is the filing fee to open a probate estate in Logan County?
As of July 1, 2026, a probate estate filing fee is $131.50, made up of $109.50 plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 (K.S.A. 59-104). Other court costs can be added as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104).
Does Logan County have a drop box for self-represented filings?
Yes. Logan County is not one of the Kansas counties excepted from the drop-box rule. A self-represented filing placed in the Logan County drop box by 4:00 p.m. Central time counts as filed that day.
How do I look up a Logan County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch. Logan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so online documents generally begin from that date, while case information is searchable through the statewide system.
Are there Logan County probate forms?
The 15th Judicial District site does not post a Logan County probate packet or local cover sheet. Use the Kansas Judicial Council statewide 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 Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103.
When will the Logan County hearing be set?
The 15th Judicial District site does not post a Logan County probate motion-day calendar. After the petition is filed, the court fixes the hearing (K.S.A. 59-2222). Call 785-671-3654 for the current setting practice.
Can I appear by phone or video in a Logan County probate case?
Remote appearance is discretionary under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. File the Kansas Judicial Council motion, notify the other parties, and ask the Logan County clerk which instructions the judge uses.
Do I have to travel to Oakley if I live out of state?
Not always, but do not assume travel is unnecessary. A nonresident personal representative can serve after appointing a resident agent in Kansas (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706), and a remote appearance request can be made under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. The judge decides whether to allow it.
What happens if we wait more than six months to deal with a will?
A Kansas will generally cannot pass property unless a petition to probate it is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready to open a full estate, filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a can preserve the will inside that six-month period (K.S.A. 59-617).
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.