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Ottawa County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Ottawa County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Ottawa County District Court, in Kansas's 28th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-229. |
| Courthouse address | Ottawa County Courthouse, 307 N Concord, Minneapolis, KS 67467. |
| Mailing address | 307 N Concord, Minneapolis, KS 67467. Call the clerk before mailing time-sensitive papers. |
| Filing office | Clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343. |
| Phone | 785-392-2917. |
| Fax | 785-392-3626. A self-represented filer may file by fax under the Kansas self-represented filing rule, using the Rule 119 fax transmission sheet. |
| Hours | Weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, made up of the $109.50 statutory fee plus the $22 surcharge authorized by K.S.A. 59-104 from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030. Other court costs are taxed as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d). |
| County fee add-on | Ottawa County's own filing-fee page matches the statewide K.S.A. 59-104 probate amounts and lists no Ottawa County add-on for probate. |
| Local forms | No Ottawa County probate-specific local form was found. Use the free Kansas Judicial Council forms that apply statewide. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 122. A self-represented filer files in person, by mail, by fax or in the drop box. |
| Drop box | Ottawa County is not one of the Kansas counties named as lacking a drop box. A self-represented filing placed in the Ottawa County drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch provides statewide public case information. Ottawa and Saline counties joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so online documents for Ottawa County begin from that date when public online access is allowed. |
| Remote appearance | A remote appearance can be requested by motion under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. The judge decides whether to allow it. |
| Court website | Ottawa County District Court department page: https://ks1497.cichosting.com/main/departments/district-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before choosing a probate path in Ottawa County, list the accounts, debts, real estate, vehicles, beneficiary designations and any will. Kansas estate settlement can turn on whether a will must be protected within six months under K.S.A. 59-617, whether a bank will accept a small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, and whether real estate requires a court order.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions, which helps families build the account and liability list before they file in Minneapolis or decide that a court filing is not the right first step. That asset picture also helps keep estate settlement tasks organized when family members live outside Ottawa County.
Which court handles jurisdiction
File Ottawa County probate matters with the clerk of the district court at the Ottawa County Courthouse, 307 N Concord, Minneapolis, KS 67467. Ottawa County is in Kansas's 28th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-229, but the case is filed at Ottawa County's own courthouse, not in Saline County.
Kansas venue for probate of a will or administration depends on residence and real property. If a Kansas resident owned real property in the county of residence, venue is that county. If the resident did not own real property in the county of residence, venue may be the county of residence or any county where the decedent owned real property. For a nonresident, venue may be any county where estate property is to be administered. The first properly started case controls, and a case filed in the wrong Kansas county is transferred to the proper county rather than treated as a new filing (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Find the death certificate, the will if there is one, and a basic list of assets and debts. If the decedent was a Kansas resident with a will, decide quickly whether to petition for probate of the will or at least preserve the will by filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a, because K.S.A. 59-617 gives the will six months from death to be made effective to pass property.
- Choose the Kansas route that fits the assets. A small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b can be used for qualifying personal property and is given to the bank or other holder, not filed as the probate case. Court routes include refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250 after the required time has passed, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, and simplified or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition using the Kansas Probate Code requirements. If you want simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202, ask for it in the petition and state the reasons. Kansas does not publish a fill-in petition for opening a probate estate.
- Add the Kansas case-filing cover sheet. If you are filing without a lawyer, also add the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If you cannot pay the filing fee, include the Poverty Affidavit tied to probate fee waiver authority in K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the Ottawa County clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at 307 N Concord in Minneapolis, by mail, by fax to 785-392-3626, or in the drop box. As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. A drop-box filing placed by 4:00 p.m. local time counts that day.
- The court fixes the hearing under K.S.A. 59-2222. Ottawa County's local schedule lists Motion Day at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and other matters by appointment, but the clerk can tell you how that applies to a probate setting.
- Give hearing notice as ordered. When K.S.A. 59-2209 applies, notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, and copies are mailed as the statute requires. Notice to creditors is handled under K.S.A. 59-709, and creditor claims are governed by the later-of timing rule in K.S.A. 59-2239.
- Ask for a remote appearance if travel to Minneapolis is difficult. A request for remote appearance is made under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103, notice must be given to the other parties, and the judge decides whether to allow it.
- At or after the hearing, the court admits the will if appropriate and grants letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705. Banks, buyers and title companies usually ask for the letters before dealing with the personal representative.
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days under K.S.A. 59-1201 unless the court allows more time. Pay valid debts and taxes, handle any sale or transfer that needs court approval, and keep estate settlement records current.
- To close, file the petition for final settlement and accounting. The court enters the final decree assigning the estate under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249, and real-estate decrees are handled for the county transfer record as the statute provides.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Ottawa County
Ottawa County does not list a probate-specific local packet for opening an estate. Kansas statewide forms are still important: the Kansas Judicial Council provides the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, case-filing cover sheets, the Poverty Affidavit tied to K.S.A. 59-104, the Rule 119 fax transmission sheet, and the Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103.
Kansas Judicial Council forms are free. The state does not provide a fill-in petition for probate of a will, administration, 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 final settlement, so those papers usually must be drafted from the statute or with legal help.
Timeline
- Ottawa County District Court's local schedule lists Motion Day at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
- The same local schedule lists Ottawa County court days as Mondays, Tuesdays and by appointment, while Saline County days are Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Do not assume a probate petition will be heard on Motion Day. Kansas probate hearings are set by the court under K.S.A. 59-2222 and must also fit the notice timing in K.S.A. 59-2209.
- Because the clerk's office closes from noon to 1:00 p.m., build that lunch closure into any same-day filing plan in Minneapolis.
Local nuance
Ottawa County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis, Kansas courthouse | Ottawa County probate is filed in Minneapolis, Kansas. The city of Ottawa, Kansas is in Franklin County, and Ottawa County is a different county. |
| Shared district, separate filing counter | Ottawa County shares Kansas's 28th Judicial District with Saline County under K.S.A. 4-229, but Ottawa County has its own clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 and its own courthouse at 307 N Concord. |
| Local court schedule | The court schedule lists Motion Day at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and lists Ottawa County days as Mondays, Tuesdays and by appointment. Call the clerk before relying on any date for a probate hearing. |
| Kansas eCourt date | Ottawa and Saline counties joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. Kansas Courts CaseSearch may show Ottawa County online documents from that date forward when public online access is allowed. |
| No local self-help center listing | The Kansas Judicial Branch District Court Self-Help Center directory does not list an Ottawa County center. Use the clerk's office for filing logistics, the Kansas Judicial Council forms, and statewide legal-help resources. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 docket-fee surcharge | As of August 2026, the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104 is authorized from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, so Ottawa County lists a probate estate filing at $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's Kansas agent may reside anywhere in Kansas, with the appointment filed in the district court, under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2025 case search change | Kansas Courts CaseSearch became the statewide public case-information search tool in November 2025. |
| 2024 creditor notice timing | The time to publish notice to creditors after a petition was filed changed to 30 days under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small estates affidavit amount | The current $75,000 amount for the small estates affidavit took effect July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking how the Ottawa County home is titled. A joint-tenancy filing may be separate from a full estate, while a probate case may still be needed for other property. The surviving spouse should also watch for the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233 and any homestead allowance issue under K.S.A. 59-6a215. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see whether the estate settlement needs a court filing in Minneapolis. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the probate assets are $75,000 or less under K.S.A. 59-1507b and there is no real estate to transfer, the Kansas Small Estates Affidavit may work for personal property. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas agent in writing under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706, and can ask for a remote appearance under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. | Sunset organizes the asset list, prepares the probate packet when a petition is needed, and helps the child decide when an Ottawa County lawyer should be involved. |
| Parent settling 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 sale, and do not miss the K.S.A. 59-617 will deadline if there is a will. | Sunset helps gather property, debt and heir information and can connect the parent with a local probate attorney for the real-estate sale path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County District Court | Call for filing logistics, current hours, hearing-setting questions and how the 4:00 p.m. drop-box cutoff is handled locally. | 307 N Concord, Minneapolis, KS 67467; 785-392-2917; fax 785-392-3626. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help probate page | Explains Kansas probate and elder-law topics and links to state forms and resources. | https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free 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 Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103. | https://www.kjc.ks.gov/legal-forms |
| District Court Self-Help Center directory | Ottawa County is not listed with a local District Court Self-Help Center. Use statewide self-help and call the clerk for Ottawa County filing logistics. | https://self-help.kscourts.gov/SelfHelpCenters |
| Kansas Legal Services | Nonprofit civil legal-help organization for low- and moderate-income Kansans. Ask about eligibility and case priorities. | 316-267-3975, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; online application available from 8:00 a.m. Monday through 4:30 p.m. Thursday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Free legal advice program through Kansas Legal Services for Kansas residents age 60 or older who qualify. | 316-267-3975. |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer. | https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
When to hire an attorney
Legal counsel is especially useful in Ottawa County when the will deadline under K.S.A. 59-617 is close, heirs disagree, a home must be sold, a nonresident fiduciary must appoint a Kansas agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, creditor claims are uncertain under K.S.A. 59-2239, or the petition should ask for informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301 or simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. 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 accounts, insurance, debts and other property before the family chooses an Ottawa County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized probate packet for the Ottawa County District Court, including reminders for the case-filing cover sheet, self-represented certification and local filing choices.
Find a local probate attorney. When the matter involves real estate, a will deadline, a contested issue or a nonresident fiduciary, Sunset can help the family connect with Kansas probate counsel.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement work, track tasks and understand what to ask the clerk or attorney before filing in Minneapolis.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Ottawa County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Ottawa County Courthouse, 307 N Concord, Minneapolis, KS 67467. Ottawa County is in Kansas's 28th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-229, but Ottawa County filings are made in Minneapolis.
Is Ottawa County probate filed in the city of Ottawa?
No. Ottawa County's courthouse is in Minneapolis, Kansas. The city of Ottawa, Kansas is in Franklin County, which is a different Kansas county.
Can I e-file an Ottawa County probate case myself?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 122. A self-represented Ottawa County filer uses the paper filing options allowed by the Kansas self-represented filing rule, including in person, mail, fax or the courthouse drop box.
What is the Ottawa County probate filing fee?
As of August 2026, Ottawa County lists a probate estate filing at $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That amount includes the $109.50 statutory fee and the $22 surcharge authorized by K.S.A. 59-104 from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.
Does Ottawa County have a local probate form packet?
Ottawa County does not list a probate-specific local packet. Use the Kansas Judicial Council's free statewide forms where they apply, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the self-represented certification, case-filing cover sheets, the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104, and the remote appearance motion under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103.
When are Ottawa County court matters scheduled?
The local court schedule lists Motion Day at 9:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and lists Ottawa County days as Mondays, Tuesdays and by appointment. Probate hearings are still set by the court under K.S.A. 59-2222, and notice timing may depend on K.S.A. 59-2209.
Can I appear by phone or video for an Ottawa County probate hearing?
You can ask. A Kansas district court has discretion to allow a remote appearance under Kan. Sup. Ct. Rule 103, and the Kansas Judicial Council provides a Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video. The judge can deny the request.
How do I look up an Ottawa County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch for public case information. Ottawa and Saline counties joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so online documents for Ottawa County begin from that date when public online access is allowed. For older documents or anything not available online, use the courthouse public terminal or call the clerk.
What if the will is close to the Kansas six-month deadline?
Act before the six months under K.S.A. 59-617 expire. If the family is not ready to open a full estate, Kansas allows filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a to preserve the will for later probate.
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.