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Sedgwick County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Sedgwick County District Court, in Kansas's 18th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-219) |
| Probate filing address | 1900 E Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211 |
| Main courthouse | Sedgwick County Courthouse, 525 N Main St, Wichita, KS 67203 |
| Mailing | The court publishes a street address for the probate counter but no separate probate mailing address. Call (316) 660-5900 before mailing a petition. |
| Phone | (316) 660-5900 for the court's main number and probate questions. The Kansas Judicial Branch also publishes 316-660-5801 for the district court. |
| Fax | (316) 941-5357 for probate. The Kansas Judicial Branch publishes 316-941-5361 for the district court, and records uses 316-941-5358. |
| Hours | The clerk's counters, including the probate counter, are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both courthouse buildings are open until 5:00 p.m. Court is in regular session from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. unless the court orders otherwise. |
| Filing fee | Opening a probate estate is $133.50 as of August 2026: $109.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, plus Sedgwick County's $2.00 law library fee under K.S.A. 20-3129(b), plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Local forms | No fill-in Sedgwick County form opens a decedent's estate. Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council case-filing cover sheet, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form if filing without a lawyer, and any route-specific statewide forms. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must file electronically under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer files in person, by mail, by fax, or through a drop box where available under the statewide filing rule. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the free statewide search. Sedgwick County began operating on Kansas eCourt on August 7, 2023, so documents in Sedgwick County cases can appear online from that date forward. |
| Remote appearance | A judge may allow a phone or video appearance under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103. Ask by motion, notify the other parties, and call (316) 660-5900 about that judge's procedure. |
| Website | https://www.dc18.org/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing anything, identify the assets, debts, real estate, beneficiaries and accounts. Sedgwick County's filing fee is flat, but the estate settlement path depends on what the estate owns, whether real estate is involved, whether a will exists and what the inventory and valuation must show within 30 days after letters are granted (K.S.A. 59-1201). Sunset can search across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help build that starting list.
Then check Sedgwick County's practical details before you go. Probate is filed at 1900 E Morris St in Wichita, not at the main courthouse on North Main Street, and the counter closes at 4:00 p.m. even though the buildings stay open until 5:00 p.m. That timing matters when the will deadline is close: a Kansas resident's will cannot pass property unless a petition for its probate is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617).
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Sedgwick County is filed with the clerk of the district court in the Sedgwick County District Court (K.S.A. 20-343). Sedgwick County is the entire 18th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-219), so there is no other county courthouse in the district and no reason to file in another county within the same district. The court runs two buildings in Wichita: the main courthouse at 525 N Main St and the probate filing location at 1900 E Morris St.
The court serves Sedgwick County communities including Wichita, Derby, Haysville, Park City, Bel Aire, Maize, Valley Center, Goddard, Mulvane, Andale, Clearwater, Kechi and Colwich. Venue under K.S.A. 59-2203 depends on where the decedent lived and where the decedent owned real property: if a Kansas resident owned real property in the county of residence, file there; if the resident owned no real property in that county, file in that county or any county where the resident owned real property; and for a nonresident, file in any Kansas county where estate property is to be administered. The first legally commenced Kansas proceeding extends to all Kansas property, and a case filed in the wrong county is transmitted to the proper county rather than dismissed.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if it can be produced, and a working list of assets, debts and real estate before choosing an estate settlement path.
- Watch the will clock first. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for its probate is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready to open an estate, filing a will and affidavit, or filing a copy of the will with the affidavit, can preserve the will for later probate (K.S.A. 59-618a). In Sedgwick County that filing is listed at $72.50 as of August 2026, based on K.S.A. 59-104 and K.S.A. 20-3129(b), while the statewide chart also carries a no-fee line for filing a will after death, so ask the clerk which line applies.
- Choose the route. The statewide paths include the small estates affidavit for personal property under K.S.A. 59-1507b, which is given to the bank or other holder and is not filed with the clerk; refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287; determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250 after the K.S.A. 59-617 will period has run; informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301 and following; and simplified administration or supervised administration, decided by the court under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition from the statutory requirements. Use K.S.A. 59-2219 for administration and K.S.A. 59-2220 for probate of a will. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give reasons (K.S.A. 59-3202).
- Follow the Sedgwick County local filing-format rule unless an exception applies. The local rule calls for one and a half inch top margin, one inch side and bottom margins, twelve point type, one side of the page, double spacing, the court name centered at the top of the first page, the caption and any case number beneath it, and the filer's name, signature, address and telephone number. The type size, margin and spacing requirements do not apply to a document submitted by a self-represented filer or to a form approved by the Supreme Court or the Kansas Judicial Council.
- Add the statewide case-filing cover sheet. If you are filing without a lawyer, add the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. Both are free from the Kansas Judicial Council.
- File with the clerk of the district court at 1900 E Morris St in Wichita (K.S.A. 20-343). The counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Opening a probate estate is $133.50 as of August 2026: $109.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, plus Sedgwick County's $2.00 law library fee under K.S.A. 20-3129(b), plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. If you cannot pay, file a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104. A self-represented filer may also fax a filing to (316) 941-5357 with the Judicial Council fax transmission sheet and card payment. Call (316) 660-5900 before mailing anything.
- The court fixes the time and place of the hearing (K.S.A. 59-2222). Sedgwick County publishes a seven-day probate calendar and a daily docket that is refreshed every fifteen minutes, but the court does not publish an average wait or a standing probate day.
- Give notice. Hearing notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks, the first publication occurs within 30 days after the order, and mailing to known heirs, devisees and legatees follows within seven days of first publication with the petition, attachments and will included (K.S.A. 59-2209). Notice to creditors is published within 30 days after filing the petition (K.S.A. 59-709).
- If there is a surviving spouse, mail the spouse the will and the statutory elective-share notice within 10 days (K.S.A. 59-2233).
- Attend the hearing. The hearing is set not earlier than 10 days and not later than 30 days after the last publication (K.S.A. 59-2209). If you need an accommodation, the court asks for the request at least five working days before the proceeding.
- The judge admits the will when appropriate and grants letters testamentary to an executor named in the will, or letters of administration to an administrator when there is no will or no executor can serve (K.S.A. 59-701; K.S.A. 59-705).
- File the inventory and valuation within 30 days after the letters are granted, unless the court allows more time (K.S.A. 59-1201).
- Handle claims, debts and taxes. A demand is barred unless presented within the later of four months from first publication or, for a known or reasonably ascertainable creditor given actual notice, 30 days after that notice (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- Close the case with a 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 real estate is assigned, a certified copy is used for the county clerk's transfer record.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sedgwick County
Kansas publishes free statewide forms through the Kansas Judicial Council, but Sedgwick County does not publish a fill-in petition for probate of a will, a petition for administration, an inventory and valuation, a petition for refusal to grant letters, a petition to determine descent, a petition for informal administration, or a petition for final settlement. The petition that opens an estate is drafted from K.S.A. 59-2219 or K.S.A. 59-2220, or with a lawyer's help.
| Form or resource | How it is used in Sedgwick County |
|---|---|
| Case-filing cover sheet | Required with a new case. Use the Kansas Judicial Council version, not the court's civil cover sheet. |
| Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form | Required if you file without a lawyer. |
| Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b | The court's forms index links to the Kansas Judicial Council form. It is given to the bank or other holder of personal property, not filed at the courthouse, and it carries no court filing fee. |
| Rule 119 fax transmission sheet | Use the statewide Judicial Council fax sheet when filing by fax to the probate fax number, (316) 941-5357. |
| Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 | Use this if you need the court to waive all or part of the $133.50 filing fee as of August 2026 (K.S.A. 59-104; K.S.A. 20-3129(b)). |
| Sedgwick County guardianship and conservatorship forms | The court publishes annual accounting and guardianship report forms, but those are for guardianship and conservatorship cases, not for settling a decedent's estate. |
Fees
Sedgwick County is one of the Kansas counties with a local law library fee added to every case. The probate estate total is $133.50 as of August 2026: $109.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, plus Sedgwick County's $2.00 law library fee under K.S.A. 20-3129(b), plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. The court's own probate fee chart reconciles to those statutes, and the same local statute treats the added amount as a docket fee for waiver purposes.
| Filing | Sedgwick County total | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Probate of an estate or will | $133.50 as of August 2026 | K.S.A. 59-104 plus K.S.A. 20-3129(b) |
| Determination of descent | $73.50 as of August 2026 | K.S.A. 59-2250, priced from K.S.A. 59-104 plus K.S.A. 20-3129(b) |
| Refusal to grant letters | $72.50 as of August 2026 | K.S.A. 59-2287, priced from K.S.A. 59-104 plus K.S.A. 20-3129(b) |
| Filing a will and affidavit | $72.50 as of August 2026 | K.S.A. 59-618a, priced from K.S.A. 59-104 plus K.S.A. 20-3129(b). The statewide chart also carries a no-fee line for filing a will after death, so confirm which applies with the clerk. |
Other expenses in a probate matter, including publication of the notice, appraiser fees, executor compensation and attorney fees, are additional court costs taxed and billed against the estate as the court directs (K.S.A. 59-104(d)). Kansas compensation is set by the court as just and reasonable, not by a percentage formula (K.S.A. 59-1717).
Timeline
- The probate counter takes filings Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., an hour before the courthouse buildings close at 5:00 p.m.
- A self-represented filing received by the clerk must be processed as quickly as possible and not more than eight business hours after receipt under the statewide filing rule.
- A document placed in a Kansas court drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day under the statewide filing rule. Sedgwick County is not one of the three counties the Judicial Branch lists as without a drop box, but because probate is filed at 1900 E Morris St and the court also publishes a box at the main courthouse on Main Street, call (316) 660-5900 before relying on a box for a probate filing.
- Under Sedgwick County's local rule, court is in regular session from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless the court orders otherwise.
- The court fixes the hearing on the petition (K.S.A. 59-2222). The hearing date is not earlier than 10 days and not later than 30 days after the last publication of notice (K.S.A. 59-2209).
- The court publishes a probate calendar for the next seven days and a daily docket refreshed every fifteen minutes, so check the calendar and call the Information Center before appearing.
- If you need an accommodation for a court proceeding, the court asks that you contact court administration as soon as possible, or at least five working days before the proceeding.
- The inventory and valuation is due within 30 days after letters are granted (K.S.A. 59-1201).
Local nuance
Sedgwick County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two court buildings in Wichita | The main courthouse is 525 N Main St, but the court publishes 1900 E Morris St as the probate filing address. Records and court administration are at the main courthouse. |
| Higher local filing total | A probate estate is $133.50 as of August 2026 because Sedgwick County adds a $2.00 law library fee under K.S.A. 20-3129(b) to the K.S.A. 59-104 amount and the $22 K.S.A. 59-104 surcharge. |
| Single-county district | Sedgwick County is the whole of Kansas's 18th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-219). File in Wichita for Sedgwick County, not in another county. |
| Counter closes before the building | The probate counter closes at 4:00 p.m., while the buildings close at 5:00 p.m. That matters near the will deadline under K.S.A. 59-617. |
| Local court rules | The district has local rules, including probate rules and formatting rules, published in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The type size, margin and spacing rules do not apply to a self-represented filing or to an approved Judicial Council form. |
| Online document date | Sedgwick County joined Kansas eCourt on August 7, 2023. Documents in cases filed after that date can appear through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, while older files may require courthouse access. |
| Calendars | The court publishes a seven-day probate calendar and a daily docket that refreshes every fifteen minutes. Do not treat that as a standing hearing day. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| August 7, 2023 | Sedgwick County began operating on the Kansas eCourt case management system, which affects when documents in Sedgwick County cases can appear online. |
| November 2025 | Kansas Courts CaseSearch replaced the prior statewide district court search tool. |
| April 3, 2026 | The $22 surcharge authority was extended through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104, so the Sedgwick County probate estate total remains $133.50 as of August 2026 when the county's K.S.A. 20-3129(b) fee is included. |
| April 9, 2026 | A nonresident personal representative's resident agent may now reside anywhere in Kansas rather than in the county of appointment (K.S.A. 59-1706). |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Sedgwick County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the Wichita-area deed. If the spouses held title as joint tenants, termination of joint tenancy is a separate Sedgwick County filing listed at $72.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104 and K.S.A. 20-3129(b). If an estate is opened, the spouse should know about the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, the spouse and minor children allowance under K.S.A. 59-403, and the required elective-share notice within 10 days (K.S.A. 59-2233). File at 1900 E Morris St before the 4:00 p.m. counter close. | Sunset finds accounts and debts across the institutions the couple used, so the inventory and valuation due under K.S.A. 59-1201 starts from a real list. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If probate assets are $75,000 or less under K.S.A. 59-1507b and there is no real estate to transfer through court, the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b may be given to the bank or other holder without opening a court case. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing and filing the accepted appointment with the court (K.S.A. 59-706; K.S.A. 59-1706). Ask about a Rule 103 phone or video appearance if travel to Wichita is burdensome (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset locates the accounts from out of state and assembles the packet, so a single trip, or no trip if the court allows, is more realistic. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b cannot transfer a house. Discuss with counsel whether refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, listed at $72.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104 and K.S.A. 20-3129(b), 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 fits. The will deadline still matters: a Kansas resident's will cannot pass property unless a petition is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617). A notice of a petition to sell real property is still required in a simplified estate (K.S.A. 59-3203(d)). | Sunset builds the asset and debt picture the petition and inventory need, and connects the family with a probate attorney in the Wichita area when title or a sale must be cleared through court. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Sedgwick County District Court Information Center | Located at 1900 E Morris St, the same building as the probate counter. Call (316) 660-5900. The court says the Information Center answers probate questions about hearing dates and times, costs, whether forms are available and where to get more information. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sedgwick County Self-Help Center | Located in the county law library at 225 N Market St, Suite 210, Wichita. The Judicial Branch directory lists it as staffed by the county law librarian, with paper court forms, computers, a printer and community resource guides. Because the court and directory publish different hours, call (316) 263-2251 before going. Its published forms focus on family law, so probate questions should start with the Information Center. |
| Kansas Legal Services clinic at the courthouse | On Wednesdays, Kansas Legal Services staffs a clinic for civil legal issues on the 5th floor of the main courthouse at 525 N Main St, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Same-day appointments are first come first served, and you apply in person that morning. Ask whether your estate issue is within the clinic's scope. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate and elder law self-help | Statewide probate information and links to forms, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free 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 motion to attend court by phone or video under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103. |
| Kansas Legal Services | Statewide civil legal help for low and moderate income Kansans, subject to eligibility and case priorities. Intake is 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online application is available from 8:00 a.m. Monday through 4:30 p.m. Thursday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansas residents age 60 and over may be eligible for free legal advice through Kansas Legal Services at 316-267-3975. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | A lawyer referral route for finding Kansas counsel. The referral page is https://www.ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals. |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch and hearing reminders | Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch for free statewide case information. The Judicial Branch hearing reminders portal offers text message reminders for probate case types, but reminders supplement the court's orders and notices. |
Court staff, self-help staff and Judicial Council staff can give procedural information, but they cannot give legal advice or choose a legal strategy for you.
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, policies and balances before the Sedgwick County filing is prepared. That gives the estate settlement process a clearer asset list and helps avoid missed property.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the family information, asset list, debts, court details and required statewide forms into a packet you can review before filing at 1900 E Morris St, faxing the court, or working with counsel.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Wichita home must be sold, a will deadline is close, or the family needs someone to appear in Sedgwick County District Court, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement steps, collect account information and get matched with help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sedgwick County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court in the Sedgwick County District Court (K.S.A. 20-343). The court publishes its probate filing address as 1900 E Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211, not the main courthouse at 525 N Main St. Sedgwick County is the whole of Kansas's 18th Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-219), so there is no other county courthouse in the district. Call (316) 660-5900 before making the trip.
How much does it cost to open a probate estate in Sedgwick County?
Opening a probate estate costs $133.50 as of August 2026: $109.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, plus Sedgwick County's $2.00 law library fee under K.S.A. 20-3129(b), plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. A Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 can ask the court to waive all or part of that amount. Other costs, including publication, appraiser fees, executor compensation and attorney fees, are additional court costs handled under K.S.A. 59-104(d).
Can I e-file a probate case in Sedgwick County if I do not have a lawyer?
No. Kansas-licensed attorneys must file electronically under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122), and Sedgwick County uses the statewide Kansas Courts electronic filing system. If you are filing without a lawyer, use the paper filing channels: the probate counter at 1900 E Morris St, fax to (316) 941-5357 with the Judicial Council fax transmission sheet, mail after calling (316) 660-5900 to confirm the address, or a court drop box where the court confirms it may be used for probate.
What are the clerk's hours in Sedgwick County?
The clerk's counters, including the probate counter, are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Both courthouse buildings are open until 5:00 p.m., so arriving after 4:00 p.m. may get you into the building but not to the counter. The court publishes a holiday schedule, and the probate counter is closed on federal holidays.
How do I find out when my Sedgwick County probate hearing is set?
The court fixes the hearing (K.S.A. 59-2222), and the hearing date is not earlier than 10 days and not later than 30 days after the last publication of notice (K.S.A. 59-2209). Sedgwick County publishes a seven-day probate calendar and a daily docket refreshed every fifteen minutes. The Information Center at (316) 660-5900 answers questions about hearing dates and times. You can also register for text message hearing reminders through the Judicial Branch portal, but reminders do not replace court orders or mailed notices.
Do I have to travel to Wichita for a probate hearing?
Not always, but a phone or video appearance is not automatic. Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103 gives the judge discretion to allow remote participation and tells judges to consider whether the time, expense or travel of appearing in person outweighs the benefit. You ask by motion, notify every other party and use the free Kansas Judicial Council motion. The judge may deny the request, so call (316) 660-5900 about the procedure for the judge handling the case.
Can I look up a Sedgwick County probate case online?
Yes. Kansas Courts CaseSearch provides free statewide case information. Sedgwick County began operating on Kansas eCourt on August 7, 2023, so documents in Sedgwick County cases can appear online from that date forward. Older files may show case information without documents. Public terminal access is available with records staff on the 6th floor of the main courthouse at 525 N Main St, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Are there Sedgwick County probate forms?
There is no fill-in Sedgwick County petition for probate of a will or administration. That petition is drafted from K.S.A. 59-2219 or K.S.A. 59-2220. The court's forms index links the Kansas Judicial Council Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, and every new case needs the statewide case-filing cover sheet. A self-represented filer also needs the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
Is there a deadline to probate a will in Kansas?
Yes. A will of someone who died a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for its probate is filed within six months of death (K.S.A. 59-617). Filing a will and affidavit, or filing a copy of the will with the affidavit, can preserve the will for later probate (K.S.A. 59-618a). In Sedgwick County that filing is listed at $72.50 as of August 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104 and K.S.A. 20-3129(b), while the statewide chart also carries a no-fee line for filing a will after death, so ask the clerk which applies.
How do I get a certified copy of a Sedgwick County probate order?
Request it from records staff on the 6th floor of the main courthouse at 525 N Main St. Requests must be in writing, one request per case number, and records staff gives an estimate before filling the request. As published in August 2026, printed copies are $0.25 per page, emailed copies with no research time are free, and certification is $10.00 per document.
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.