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Sheridan County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Local information |
|---|---|
| Court | Sheridan County District Court, in Kansas's 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216 |
| Courthouse address | Sheridan County Courthouse, 925 9th St., Hoxie, KS 67740 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 753, Hoxie, KS 67740 |
| Clerk | Clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 |
| Phone | 785-675-3451 |
| Fax | 785-675-2256 |
| Hours | Call 785-675-3451 before travelling, because the county site does not post separate district court counter hours. The Sheridan County Self-Help Center 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., not staffed. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, the docket fee to open a probate estate is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, made up of the $109.50 statutory fee plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs may be taxed as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Local forms | Use the statewide Kansas Judicial Council forms. No Sheridan County-specific probate packet is listed for the clerk. |
| Electronic filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys use e-filing under Rule 122. A person filing without a lawyer uses the local filing options for self-represented litigants: in person, mail, fax or the courthouse drop box. |
| Drop box | Available at the Sheridan County court location. A self-represented filing placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. Central Time counts as filed that day under the Kansas filing rule for self-represented litigants. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch. Sheridan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so documents filed from that date forward may be available online, while public courthouse terminals remain available for public records. |
| Remote appearance | Ask by motion. The judge decides requests for phone or video participation under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103. |
| Website | Kansas Judicial Branch 15th Judicial District page and the Sheridan County government department directory. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Hoxie, list the accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, taxes and beneficiary designations. Kansas venue and the right estate settlement path depend on what property is actually part of the probate estate, and a missed account can change whether a court petition is needed.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find accounts and insurance leads before choosing a Sheridan County estate settlement path. That inventory also helps you decide whether the Kansas small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, a court petition or attorney help is the better next step.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Sheridan County probate filings go to the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Sheridan County Courthouse in Hoxie. Although Sheridan County shares Kansas's 15th Judicial District with Cheyenne, Logan, Rawlins, Sherman, Thomas and Wallace counties under K.S.A. 4-216, a Sheridan County case is filed at the Sheridan County courthouse, not in another county.
Kansas venue is governed by K.S.A. 59-2203. If the decedent lived in Kansas and owned real property in the county of residence, file in that county. If the decedent lived in Kansas but owned no real property in the county of residence, filing may be in the county of residence or any county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, filing may be in any Kansas county where estate property is to be administered. If more than one proceeding is started, the first-filed case controls unless venue is transferred under K.S.A. 59-2203.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the will if there is one, account statements, real estate information and debt information. If there is a will, calendar the Kansas deadline right away: a will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death under K.S.A. 59-617, unless a statutory savings provision applies.
- If the family is not ready to open a full estate but needs to preserve a will, ask whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a fits. Kansas allows the will or a copy to be filed with the district court of the decedent's last residence for preservation.
- Choose the correct Kansas path. Common options include 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 after the timing requirement in that statute is met, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, and simplified administration or supervised administration as the court determines under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition if a court case is needed. A petition for administration or probate of a will is drafted from Kansas statutory requirements. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give the reasons, because the court decides under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Add the required filing papers. A new case needs a Kansas case-filing cover sheet. A self-represented filer also files the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. If a fee waiver is needed, use the Poverty Affidavit tied to K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Sheridan County Courthouse, 925 9th St., Hoxie, or mail filings to PO Box 753, Hoxie, KS 67740. Self-represented filings may also be sent by fax to 785-675-2256 or placed in the courthouse drop box by 4:00 p.m. Central Time for same-day filing treatment under the Kansas filing rule for self-represented litigants.
- Pay the opening docket fee. As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, which includes the $109.50 statutory amount and the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104.
- After the petition is filed, the court fixes the hearing under K.S.A. 59-2222. Notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks under K.S.A. 59-2209, and required mailed notice is sent with the petition and attachments. Notice to creditors is handled under K.S.A. 59-709.
- If there is a surviving spouse, make sure the required elective-share notice is handled within the Kansas deadline in K.S.A. 59-2233. The hearing may be in person unless the court grants a phone or video request under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103.
- At or after the hearing, the court decides whether to admit the will, appoint the personal representative and grant letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705. The clerk receives filings and payments, but the court grants the authority.
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days under K.S.A. 59-1201 unless the court allows more time. Publish and mail required notices, handle claims under K.S.A. 59-2239, pay allowed debts and taxes, manage estate property and keep records.
- When the estate is ready to close, 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, and real estate decrees are handled with the county transfer record as required by K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Sheridan County
Kansas publishes free statewide forms through the Kansas Judicial Council, and those are the forms most Sheridan County families start with. The most used estate settlement forms include 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 for Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103 requests.
Kansas does not provide a fill-in statewide petition to open a probate estate. A petition for probate of a will, administration, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287 or determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250 is drafted from the Kansas Probate Code or prepared with legal help. No Sheridan County-specific probate checklist or packet is listed for the clerk.
Local nuance
Sheridan County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Sheridan County filing |
|---|---|
| Mailing address | Use PO Box 753, Hoxie, KS 67740 for mailed district court filings. The street address and mailing address are not the same. |
| Self-help room | The Sheridan County Self-Help Center is listed as not staffed, with a mobile resource center laptop available on request, appointment required to use the computer, and private meeting space. |
| Kansas eCourt date | Sheridan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. Case information is searchable through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, and documents from that date forward may be available online. |
| Local judge | The 15th Judicial District listing names a district magistrate judge for Sheridan County. Kansas district magistrate judges may hear probate matters under K.S.A. 20-302b. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court-fee act | As of August 2026, the $22 surcharge that makes a probate estate filing $131.50 is authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident personal representative's resident agent may reside anywhere in Kansas, with the written appointment and acceptance filed in the district court under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2025 CaseSearch transition | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide search tool for district court case information. Sheridan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. |
| 2024 creditor-notice change | The notice to creditors publication window changed to 30 days after filing under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small estates affidavit change | The small estates affidavit amount under K.S.A. 59-1507b is $75,000, effective July 1, 2023. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by checking how the Hoxie or Sheridan County real estate is titled. A transfer-on-death deed under K.S.A. 59-3501 would have been recorded with the register of deeds under K.S.A. 59-3502 during life, and joint tenancy may call for a separate court filing. If a probate case is opened, the spouse should receive the required elective-share notice under K.S.A. 59-2233. | Sunset helps identify accounts, deeds and beneficiary designations so the spouse can see what is probate property and what may pass outside the estate settlement case. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate has no real estate and the Kansas probate assets fit the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the child may be able to collect personal property from the holder without opening a court case. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve by appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, and may ask for phone or video participation under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103. | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare the right estate settlement packet and connect the child with Sheridan County filing guidance so travel is planned only when the court requires it. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b does not move real estate. 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, especially if a sale order or marketable title is needed. If there is a will, protect the six months deadline under K.S.A. 59-617. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, identify debts and prepare questions for a local probate attorney before the parent files in Hoxie. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Sheridan County Self-Help Center | Listed as not staffed. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Resources include a mobile resource center laptop on request, appointment required for computer use, and private meeting space. | Sheridan County Courthouse, 925 9th St., Hoxie. Call the clerk at 785-675-3451 before visiting. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch self-help probate page | General Kansas probate and elder law information, including links to statewide forms and public resources. | self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free forms for the 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 Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103. | kjc.ks.gov/legal-forms |
| Kansas Legal Services | Nonprofit civil legal help for low- and moderate-income Kansans, subject to eligibility and case priorities. Intake is available by phone. | 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, subject to program eligibility. | 316-267-3975 |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Referral route for finding a Kansas attorney when the estate needs legal advice or representation. | ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
When to hire an attorney
Consider counsel if the will may miss the six months deadline under K.S.A. 59-617, heirs disagree, the estate owns real estate, a sale is needed, creditor issues are unclear, taxes are unresolved or an out-of-state personal representative must appoint a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706. Kansas allows personal representative and attorney compensation that is just and reasonable under K.S.A. 59-1717, but the court controls allowances and costs. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families locate bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance leads and other assets that may matter in a Sheridan County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list and family information into an organized probate packet, including the Sheridan County court address, mailing address, filing options and the statewide Kansas forms that apply.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves real estate, a will deadline, creditor issues or disagreement, Sunset can help connect the family with a Kansas probate attorney who understands filings in Sheridan County.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, track filings and understand next steps without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Sheridan County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Sheridan County Courthouse, 925 9th St., Hoxie, KS 67740. Mail filings to PO Box 753, Hoxie, KS 67740.
What is the Sheridan County probate filing fee?
As of August 2026, the docket fee to open a probate estate is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That amount includes the $109.50 statutory fee plus the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs may also be taxed under K.S.A. 59-104.
Can I file Sheridan County probate papers electronically?
Kansas-licensed attorneys use e-filing under Rule 122. If you are filing without a lawyer, use the self-represented filing options: in person, mail, fax or the Sheridan County drop box.
What fax number do I use for the Sheridan County clerk?
The Sheridan County District Court fax number is 785-675-2256. Use the Kansas Judicial Council Rule 119 fax transmission sheet when fax filing.
Does Sheridan County have a courthouse drop box?
Yes. Sheridan County is not one of the Kansas counties excluded from the statewide drop-box listing. A self-represented filing placed in the Sheridan County drop box by 4:00 p.m. Central Time counts as filed that day under the Kansas filing rule for self-represented litigants.
Can I appear by phone or video in a Sheridan County probate hearing?
You may ask by motion. A Kansas district court has discretion to allow phone or video participation under Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103, and the Kansas Judicial Council publishes a Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video. Ask the clerk which procedure the 15th Judicial District uses under K.S.A. 4-216.
How do I look up a Sheridan County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch. Sheridan County joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so documents filed from that date forward may be available online. Public courthouse terminals remain available for public records.
Does Sheridan County have local probate forms?
No Sheridan County-specific probate packet is listed for the clerk. Use the Kansas Judicial Council statewide forms, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, case-filing cover sheet, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form and Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
What if the will has not been filed yet?
Act quickly. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death under K.S.A. 59-617, unless a statutory savings provision applies. Filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a may preserve the will if a full estate is not ready to open.
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.