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Reno County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Reno County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Reno County District Court, in Kansas's 27th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-228). |
| Courthouse address | Reno County Courthouse, 206 W First St., Hutchinson, KS 67501. |
| Mailing address | Use the courthouse address. No separate mailing box is posted for the Reno County clerk of the district court (K.S.A. 20-343). |
| Phone | 620-694-2956. |
| Fax | 620-694-2958. |
| Hours | The 27th district local rules state that court is in session on required court days from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the clerk before traveling to confirm current counter hours. |
| Filing fee | $131.50 effective July 1, 2026, for probate of an estate or will, made up of the $109.50 statutory charge and the $22 surcharge (K.S.A. 59-104). Additional court costs are taxed as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104(d)). |
| Local forms | No Reno County probate packet is posted in the Kansas Judicial Branch materials listed for Reno County or in the 27th district local rules. Use the Kansas Judicial Council forms where they fit. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Rule 122. A self-represented filer in Reno County files in person, by mail, by fax, or in the courthouse drop box. |
| Drop box | A Reno County courthouse drop box is available. A self-represented filing placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch, https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Reno County joined Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022, so online documents may begin from that date, while public case information can be searched through CaseSearch. |
| Remote appearance | A judge may allow a phone or video appearance by motion under Rule 103. Ask the clerk how the Reno County judge handles the request. |
| Website | Kansas Judicial Branch 27th judicial district page: https://www.kscourts.gov/About-the-Courts/District-Courts/Districts/27th-Judicial-District. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Reno County probate path, make a practical list of the accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, taxes, and whether there is a will. The six months deadline for a Kansas resident's will matters even when the estate settlement seems simple (K.S.A. 59-617).
Sunset's estate settlement process can help identify accounts and assets across more than 2,300 institutions, then organize what you need before you call the Reno County clerk or a Kansas probate attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Reno County is filed with the clerk of the district court at the Reno County Courthouse in Hutchinson (K.S.A. 20-343). Reno County alone makes up Kansas's 27th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-228), so a Reno County case is filed in Hutchinson.
Kansas venue depends on residence and real property. If the decedent lived in Kansas and owned real property in the county of residence, probate belongs in that county. If the decedent lived in Kansas but 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. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, venue may be any Kansas county where estate property is to be administered. The first properly filed case controls, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred to the proper county (K.S.A. 59-2203).
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the will if one exists, the asset list, creditor information, and any real estate information. If the decedent was a Kansas resident and left a will, decide quickly whether to petition for probate of the will because Kansas gives six months from death for the will to pass property (K.S.A. 59-617).
- If you are not ready to open a full estate, ask whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a will preserve the will. Kansas also has other statewide paths, including the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b for qualifying personal property, 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 under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition required for the path you choose. If you seek simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give the reasons because the court decides under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Add the case filing cover sheet. If you are representing yourself, add the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If you cannot afford the filing charge, add a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court at the Reno County Courthouse in Hutchinson. A self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 620-694-2958, or in the courthouse drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time. Pay $131.50 effective July 1, 2026, for probate of an estate or will unless the court grants fee relief (K.S.A. 59-104).
- The court fixes the hearing after the petition is filed (K.S.A. 59-2222). The petitioner handles notice, including publication once a week for three consecutive weeks and mailing the notice, petition, attachments, and will when required (K.S.A. 59-2209). Notice to creditors is handled within the Kansas creditor notice rules (K.S.A. 59-709).
- If there is a surviving spouse, send the required elective share notice within the statutory time after the triggering filing or qualification event (K.S.A. 59-2233).
- Attend the hearing unless the court allows a phone or video appearance under Rule 103. The court, not the clerk, admits the will, appoints the executor or administrator, and grants letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration under 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 required creditor notices, then handle claims under the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice where that rule applies (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- Pay debts, expenses, and taxes, then seek final settlement. The court's final decree assigns the estate, and real estate decrees are handled through the transfer record as Kansas law requires (K.S.A. 59-2247, 59-2249).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Reno County
Reno County does not post a county-specific probate packet in the Kansas Judicial Branch materials listed for Reno County or in the 27th district local rules. The free statewide forms to know are the Kansas Judicial Council 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 under Rule 103.
The Judicial Council also provides a probate notice of hearing form and a petition for allowance of demand. A petition to probate a will or open administration usually has to be drafted from the Kansas statutory requirements or prepared with a lawyer's help.
Local nuance
Reno County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means in Reno County |
|---|---|
| Single-county district | Reno County is Kansas's 27th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-228). Probate is filed in Hutchinson at the Reno County Courthouse. |
| Court session hours | The 27th district local rules state that court is in session on required court days from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Fax filing | The clerk's fax number is 620-694-2958. Kansas allows a self-represented filer to file by fax, and Reno County publishes a fax number for that purpose. |
| Self-help center | Reno County's listed self-help resource is kiosk-based. It offers workstations and a printer during regular business hours, but it is not a staffed advice desk. |
| Current clerk hours | Call 620-694-2956 before traveling, because the clerk's current public counter hours were not posted in the materials available for this page. |
Recent updates
| Change | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 fee surcharge extension | The $22 surcharge authority for probate filings was extended through June 30, 2030, so the probate estate filing total is $131.50 effective July 1, 2026 (K.S.A. 59-104). |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident personal representative may appoint a resident agent anywhere in Kansas, not only in the county of appointment (K.S.A. 59-706, 59-1706). |
| 2024 creditor notice timing | The publication window for notice to creditors moved to 30 days after filing (K.S.A. 59-709). |
| 2023 Small Estates Affidavit amount | The Small Estates Affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2023 (K.S.A. 59-1507b). |
| 2025 case search change | Kansas Courts CaseSearch replaced the former statewide public case information tool in November 2025. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Reno County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking title to the Hutchinson or Reno County home. A joint tenancy termination is a separate $70.50 filing effective July 1, 2026 (K.S.A. 59-104). Also watch the spouse's elective share notice duty, the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, and any family allowance issues under K.S.A. 59-403. | Sunset helps gather title clues, account information, debts, and documents so the spouse can ask the right questions before filing. |
| out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the Kansas estate has qualifying personal property and no real estate issue, the Small Estates Affidavit may work for up to $75,000 effective July 1, 2023 (K.S.A. 59-1507b). If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing (K.S.A. 59-706, 59-1706), and may ask for a phone or video appearance under Rule 103. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare an organized asset list, and connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney if a court filing is needed. |
| 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. If there is a will, keep the six months deadline in view (K.S.A. 59-617). | Sunset helps assemble the asset picture, flag deadlines, and prepare the information a Reno County attorney will need for a home sale path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Reno County District Court | Filing office for Reno County probate. Call before traveling to confirm current clerk counter hours and filing instructions. | 206 W First St., Hutchinson, KS 67501. Phone 620-694-2956. Fax 620-694-2958. |
| Reno County self-help kiosks | Kiosk workstations and a printer can be used to access court forms, court information, and online resources during regular business hours. The Reno County listing says the center is not staffed. | At the Reno County courthouse self-help location. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help probate page | Statewide probate and elder law information, including links to forms and general court 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 Rule 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 case priorities. | 316-267-3975, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online applications are available from 8:00 a.m. on the first weekday through 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Free legal advice program for Kansas residents age 60 or older, operated through Kansas Legal Services. | 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
A Kansas probate attorney is especially useful when a will deadline is close, the family disagrees, a house must be sold, a creditor dispute appears, the personal representative lives outside Kansas, or the estate may need 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. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps build the asset picture needed for estate settlement in Reno County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information families need for Kansas forms, attorney review, and Reno County filing steps, including the courthouse, fax, and filing route.
Find a local probate attorney. When a court filing, home sale, creditor issue, or out-of-state personal representative makes the estate settlement more complex, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted Kansas probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset gives families a clear place to start, helps reduce administrative work, and supports the handoff to local counsel when legal help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Reno County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W First St., Hutchinson, KS 67501 (K.S.A. 20-343). Reno County is Kansas's 27th judicial district (K.S.A. 4-228).
What is the filing fee to open a Reno County probate estate?
The probate estate filing total is $131.50 effective July 1, 2026, made up of the $109.50 statutory charge and the $22 surcharge (K.S.A. 59-104). Other court costs can be taxed against the estate as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104(d)).
Can I e-file a Reno County probate case if I do not have a lawyer?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Rule 122. A self-represented filer in Reno County files in person, by mail, by fax to 620-694-2958, or in the courthouse drop box.
Does Reno County have a drop box for probate filings?
Yes. A self-represented filing placed in the Reno County courthouse drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. That timing can matter if a will must be preserved within six months after death (K.S.A. 59-617).
Can I appear by phone or video for a Reno County probate hearing?
You can ask. A Kansas district court may allow a phone or video appearance under Rule 103, but the judge decides. Use the Kansas Judicial Council Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video and ask the Reno County clerk what the judge requires.
How do I look up a Reno County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov/. Reno County joined Kansas eCourt on September 12, 2022, so online documents may begin from that date. Older documents and items not available online can be viewed through the courthouse public access terminal if they are public.
Are there Reno County probate forms?
No county-specific probate packet is posted for Reno County in the Kansas Judicial Branch materials listed for the county or in the 27th district local rules. Use the 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 Rule 103 phone or video appearance motion.
Do I have to travel to Hutchinson for every probate step?
Not always. You may be able to file by mail, fax, or drop box, and you may ask to appear by phone or video under Rule 103. The court decides whether a hearing appearance may be by phone or video, so call the clerk before making travel plans.
What happens if the family waits more than six months to deal with a will?
For a Kansas resident, a will generally cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death (K.S.A. 59-617). Kansas has limited saving steps, including filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a, so do not wait if a will exists.
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.