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Wallace County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Wallace County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Wallace County District Court, in Kansas's 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216 |
| Courthouse address | Wallace County Courthouse, 313 N Main Street, Sharon Springs, KS 67758 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 8, Sharon Springs, KS 67758 |
| Clerk phone | 785-995-4289 |
| Fax | 785-995-4051 |
| Hours | Call the clerk to confirm current counter hours before traveling. Wallace County observes Mountain time. |
| Filing fee | As of July 1, 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, made up of the $109.50 statutory amount and the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs may be taxed against the estate as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d). |
| Local forms | No Wallace County specific probate petition form is published. Use Kansas Judicial Council statewide forms, including the case-filing cover sheet and Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122. A self-represented filer files in person, by mail, by fax, or by courthouse drop box. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Wallace County documents are available online for filings from July 11, 2022 forward, while public case information is searchable statewide. |
| Remote appearance | A remote appearance may be requested under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 using the Kansas Judicial Council motion form. The judge decides whether to allow it. |
| Website | The 15th Judicial District's own site, https://www.15jdks.us/, covers Wallace County and publishes the Wallace County clerk address, PO Box, phone and fax, plus district pages for e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122, docket fees under K.S.A. 59-104, self-help resources and legal-aid information. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Sharon Springs, identify the assets, debts, beneficiaries and whether there is a will. Kansas's route depends on what property is subject to probate, whether real estate is involved, and whether a will must be preserved inside the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 window.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families look for accounts and assets across more than 2,300 institutions, organize what has been found, and decide whether the next step is a court filing, a K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit, or a lawyer review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Wallace County probate is filed with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Wallace County Courthouse in Sharon Springs. Wallace County shares Kansas's 15th Judicial District with Cheyenne, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas counties under K.S.A. 4-216, but a Wallace County estate is filed in Sharon Springs, not in another county.
Venue under K.S.A. 59-2203 depends on residence and real property. If the decedent lived in Wallace County and owned real property there, the case belongs in Wallace County. If the decedent lived in Kansas but did not own real property in the county of residence, the case may be filed in the county of residence or in any county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, the case may be filed in a Kansas county where the decedent left estate to be administered. If proceedings are started in more than one county, the first-filed case controls until venue is decided, and a case filed in the wrong county is transferred.
Sharon Springs is the county seat and courthouse city. Wallace is also an incorporated community in Wallace County.
The jurisdiction process
- Collect the death certificate, the will if one exists, asset information, debt information and contact information for heirs and beneficiaries. If there is a will, decide within the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 period 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.
- Choose the correct Kansas path. A K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit, with the $75,000 ceiling effective July 1, 2023, is furnished to the holder of personal property and is not filed as a new court case. Court paths include 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 administration or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the verified petition required by Kansas law. If you want simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202, ask for it in the petition and give reasons. Add the case-filing cover sheet and, if you are representing yourself, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
- File with the Wallace County clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at 313 N Main Street in Sharon Springs, by mail to PO Box 8, Sharon Springs, KS 67758, by fax to 785-995-4051, or by courthouse drop box. A self-represented drop-box filing deposited by 4:00 p.m. local Mountain time counts that day. As of July 1, 2026, the probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, or you may file a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 if you cannot afford the required fee.
- The court fixes the hearing under K.S.A. 59-2222. If travel to Sharon Springs is difficult, request a remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103 and use the Kansas Judicial Council motion form. The judge may grant or deny the request.
- Give required notice. Hearing notice is published once a week for three consecutive weeks under K.S.A. 59-2209, and mailed as required by that section. Notice to creditors under K.S.A. 59-709 is published within 30 days after filing the petition. If there is a surviving spouse, the required elective-share notice is mailed within 10 days under K.S.A. 59-2233.
- Attend the hearing. The court, not the clerk, 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.
- After letters are granted, the personal representative files the inventory and valuation within 30 days under K.S.A. 59-1201, gives actual notice to known or reasonably ascertainable creditors, gathers assets, pays approved debts and taxes, and administers the estate.
- Track the creditor period. Claims are barred unless presented within the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice, as provided in K.S.A. 59-2239. Kansas also has a separate K.S.A. 59-2239 rule about claims and liens when no petition is filed within the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 period.
- Close the estate by petition for final settlement and accounting, followed by the court's final decree assigning the estate under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249. If real estate is assigned, follow the Kansas transfer-record step required by K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Wallace County
No Wallace County specific probate petition form is published. The 15th Judicial District's own website covers Wallace County, but the petition that opens a probate estate is still drafted from Kansas statutory requirements, not from a county fill-in packet.
| Form or resource | Use in Wallace County |
|---|---|
| Small Estates Affidavit | Use the Kansas Judicial Council form for the K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit. The $75,000 amount is effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b. |
| Case-filing cover sheet | Required with a new court case. |
| Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form | Required if you file without a lawyer. |
| Poverty Affidavit | Use if you cannot afford the K.S.A. 59-104 filing fee. |
| Motion to appear in court by phone or video | Use to ask for a remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103. |
| Rule 119 fax transmission sheet | Use when filing by fax to the clerk at 785-995-4051. |
Local nuance
Wallace County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Mountain time | Wallace County observes Mountain time under 49 CFR 71.7. Read local filing cutoffs, hearing times and self-help hours in Mountain time unless the court states otherwise. |
| 15th Judicial District website | The district's own site, https://www.15jdks.us/, covers Wallace County and publishes the Wallace County clerk's PO Box, street address, phone and fax. It also carries district pages for e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122, docket fees under K.S.A. 59-104, self-help resources and legal-aid information. |
| One Wallace County filing counter | Although Wallace County is in a multi-county 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216, filing stays with the Wallace County clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 in Sharon Springs. |
| Self-help center hours are not clerk hours | The Wallace County District Court Self-Help Center is listed as staffed, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. closure, but those are self-help center hours. Call the clerk to confirm counter hours before traveling. |
| Kansas eCourt date | Wallace County, as part of the 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216, joined Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022. CaseSearch documents are available online for Wallace County filings from that date forward. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 fee surcharge | As of July 1, 2026, the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104 is authorized through June 30, 2030, so a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary now appoints a Kansas resident agent who resides in Kansas, rather than requiring the agent to reside in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2024 creditor notice timing | The notice to creditors publication window under K.S.A. 59-709 changed from 10 days to 30 days after filing, effective July 1, 2024. |
| 2023 small estates affidavit amount | The K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit amount became $75,000 effective July 1, 2023. |
| Wallace County eCourt access | Wallace County, through the 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216, began using Kansas eCourt on July 11, 2022, so online document access through CaseSearch runs from that date for Wallace County cases. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Wallace County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with the deed and how the home is titled. If a court filing is needed, it is filed with the Wallace County clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 in Sharon Springs. A termination of joint tenancy filing is $70.50 as of July 1, 2026 under K.S.A. 59-104. Spousal protections, including the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, the spouse and minor children allowance under K.S.A. 59-403, and the notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233, may affect the estate settlement. | Sunset helps gather property, account and debt information before the family decides whether a Wallace County filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate has no real estate and fits the K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit, with the $75,000 amount effective July 1, 2023, the affidavit is furnished to the bank or other holder. If letters are needed, a nonresident personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706. A remote appearance may be requested under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103, and Wallace County deadlines should be tracked in Mountain time. | Sunset helps identify whether accounts exist, prepare an estate settlement checklist, and connect the family with Kansas counsel if letters are needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit cannot transfer real estate. The family should evaluate refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, or simplified administration or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. If there is a will, the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 deadline is central. | Sunset helps organize the home, debts and accounts so the attorney can choose the right Wallace County path and avoid a late or incomplete filing. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps in Wallace County |
|---|---|
| Wallace County clerk of the district court | Wallace County Courthouse, 313 N Main Street, Sharon Springs, KS 67758. Mail to PO Box 8, Sharon Springs, KS 67758. Phone 785-995-4289. Fax 785-995-4051. The clerk files papers and collects the K.S.A. 59-104 fee, but does not give legal advice or draft petitions. |
| 15th Judicial District website | https://www.15jdks.us/ covers Wallace County and includes district pages for e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122, docket fees under K.S.A. 59-104, self-help resources, legal-aid information, records search and clerk contact information. |
| Wallace County District Court Self-Help Center | Listed as staffed. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Resources include a mobile resource center laptop by request, appointment-required computer use, and private meeting space. These are self-help center hours, not confirmed clerk counter hours. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate and elder law self-help | self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw links probate information, Kansas Judicial Council forms and Kansas Legal Services resources. |
| Kansas Judicial Council free forms | Includes the K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit, case-filing cover sheets, Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, 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 | Free and reduced-cost civil legal help to low and moderate income Kansans in all 105 counties. Intake is 316-267-3975, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansas residents age 60 or older may ask about free legal advice through Kansas Legal Services at 316-267-3975. |
| Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals can help locate a lawyer referral route. |
| Kansas Courts CaseSearch | casesearch.kscourts.gov provides statewide public case information. Wallace County online document access begins with the July 11, 2022 Kansas eCourt start date for the 15th Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-216. |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful in Wallace County when there is a will approaching the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 period, a house to sell, a dispute among heirs, a nonresident personal representative who must appoint a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, or uncertainty about 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 estate. Wallace County does not publish a fill-in petition to open an estate, and rejected paperwork can cost time in an estate settlement. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families search for accounts, benefits, insurance and other assets across more than 2,300 institutions so the Wallace County filing reflects what actually exists.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for estate settlement, including asset lists, debts, heirs, beneficiaries and documents a lawyer or court filing may require.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Kansas petition, hearing, real estate sale, nonresident fiduciary issue or six-month K.S.A. 59-617 will deadline makes legal help important, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement work ahead, prepare for conversations with the Wallace County clerk or an attorney, and avoid missing accounts or deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Wallace County?
File with the Wallace County clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Wallace County Courthouse, 313 N Main Street, Sharon Springs, KS 67758. Mail filings to PO Box 8, Sharon Springs, KS 67758.
Does Wallace County use e-filing for probate?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 122. If you are representing yourself, you file in person, by mail, by fax to 785-995-4051, or by drop box.
What is the filing fee to open a Wallace County probate estate?
As of July 1, 2026, the probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That includes the $109.50 statutory amount and the $22 surcharge authorized through June 30, 2030 under K.S.A. 59-104. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
Is Wallace County on Mountain time?
Yes. Wallace County observes Mountain time under 49 CFR 71.7. Treat local filing cutoffs, court times and self-help center hours as Mountain time unless the court says otherwise.
Is there a deadline to file a will in Wallace County?
Yes. If the decedent was a Kansas resident, a petition to probate the will must be filed within the six-month K.S.A. 59-617 period, unless a savings provision applies. One way to preserve a will is filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a within that period.
Can I appear by phone or video instead of traveling to Sharon Springs?
You can ask for a remote appearance under Kansas Supreme Court Rule 103, and the Kansas Judicial Council publishes a motion form for that request. The judge decides whether to allow it.
How do I look up a Wallace County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at casesearch.kscourts.gov. Wallace County case documents are available online for filings from July 11, 2022 forward, and public case information is searchable statewide.
Are there Wallace County probate forms?
No Wallace County specific probate petition form is published. Use Kansas Judicial Council statewide forms, including the K.S.A. 59-1507b small estates affidavit, the case-filing cover sheet, and the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
Does Wallace County have a self-help center?
Yes. The Wallace County District Court Self-Help Center is listed as staffed, with hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those are self-help center hours, not confirmed clerk counter hours.
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.