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Wilson County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Wilson County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Wilson County District Court |
| Courthouse address | Wilson County Courthouse, 615 Madison Street, Room 214, Fredonia, KS 66736 |
| Mailing address | Wilson County Courthouse, 615 Madison Street, Room 214, Fredonia, KS 66736. Call the clerk before mailing if timing is critical. |
| Clerk of the district court | File with the clerk of the district court in Wilson County (K.S.A. 20-343). |
| Phone | 620-378-4533 |
| Fax | 620-378-4531 |
| [email protected] | |
| Hours | Each weekday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That is the $109.50 probate estate docket fee plus the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs can be taxed against the estate as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104(d). |
| Local forms | No Wilson County local probate forms are posted by the Wilson County District Court. Use the Kansas Judicial Council forms and any petition drafted from Kansas Probate Code requirements. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer uses the clerk's office, mail, fax or the courthouse drop box. |
| Drop box | Available in Wilson County. A self-represented filing placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts that day. |
| Case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the statewide free case-information tool. Wilson County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents for Wilson County cases begin from that date, while older or nonpublic-online documents must be checked at the courthouse terminal. |
| Remote appearance | A remote appearance is discretionary under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). Use the Kansas Judicial Council motion form and ask the clerk how the judge wants the request handled. |
| Court website | 31jd.org, Wilson County page |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Wilson County filing path, list the estate's assets, debts, real estate, account ownership and beneficiary designations. Kansas probate turns on what is actually subject to probate, whether a will must be preserved within six months under K.S.A. 59-617, and whether the family needs letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705.
Sunset can make the estate settlement process less blind by helping families search across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts, policies and other assets before a petition is drafted. That asset picture helps you decide whether to use a noncourt transfer, a court petition, or an attorney-supported administration in Wilson County.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Wilson County is filed with the clerk of the district court at the Wilson County Courthouse in Fredonia (K.S.A. 20-343). Wilson County is part of Kansas's 31st Judicial District, which includes Allen, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson counties (K.S.A. 4-232), but that district grouping does not move Wilson County filings to another county.
Venue is governed by K.S.A. 59-2203. If the decedent lived in Kansas and owned real property in the county of residence, the proceeding belongs in that county. If the decedent lived in Kansas but owned no real property in the county of residence, the proceeding may be filed in the county of residence or in any Kansas county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, the proceeding may be filed in any Kansas county where estate property is 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 can be transferred.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the will if there is one, asset details, debt information and real-estate information before choosing a Wilson County filing path.
- Watch the Kansas will deadline first. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition to probate it is filed within six months after death, unless a statutory savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready to open a full estate, ask promptly whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a is needed to preserve the will.
- Choose the route. The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b can be presented to a bank or other holder for personal property when the probate assets fit that statute. Court routes may include refusal to grant letters under K.S.A. 59-2287, determination of descent under K.S.A. 59-2250 once the statutory timing fits, informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301, or simplified or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition. A petition for administration or probate of a will is drafted from the Kansas Probate Code requirements, including K.S.A. 59-2219 and K.S.A. 59-2220. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and give reasons because the court decides under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Add the required filing papers. A new case needs a case-filing cover sheet, and a self-represented filer must include the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form.
- File with the clerk of the district court in Wilson County at 615 Madison Street, Room 214, Fredonia (K.S.A. 20-343). A self-represented filer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 620-378-4531, or by drop box. The Wilson County office is open each weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A drop-box filing made by 4:00 p.m. local time counts that day.
- Pay the filing fee or request a waiver. As of August 2026, a probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, made up of the $109.50 probate estate docket fee and the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. If you cannot afford the fee, file a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- After the petition is filed, the court fixes the hearing (K.S.A. 59-2222). The petitioner gives the hearing notice required by K.S.A. 59-2209, including publication once a week for three consecutive weeks and mailing to required people with the petition, attachments and will when applicable. The petitioner also gives notice to creditors under K.S.A. 59-709.
- If there is a surviving spouse, provide the elective-share notice required by K.S.A. 59-2233 within the required time after the triggering filing or qualification.
- Attend the hearing unless the court allows a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). The court, not the clerk, admits the will and grants letters testamentary under K.S.A. 59-701 or letters of administration under K.S.A. 59-705.
- Administer the estate. File the inventory and valuation within 30 days after letters are granted unless the court gives more time (K.S.A. 59-1201). Claims are handled under the Kansas nonclaim statute, including the later of four months from first publication or 30 days after actual notice for known or reasonably ascertainable creditors (K.S.A. 59-2239).
- Pay allowed debts, expenses and taxes, then seek final settlement. The closing request is made 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.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Wilson County
No Wilson County local probate form packet, local probate cover sheet or local probate checklist is posted by the Wilson County District Court. Kansas does publish free Kansas Judicial Council forms that matter for Wilson County filings, 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 Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video for a Rule 103 request (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
Kansas does not publish a fill-in petition for a standard probate estate. A petition to probate a will or start administration is drafted from statutory requirements, especially K.S.A. 59-2219 and K.S.A. 59-2220, or with a lawyer's help.
Local nuance
Wilson County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Room 214 and lunch closure | The Wilson County filing office is in Room 214 at the courthouse in Fredonia. The office closes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and closes for the day at 4:30 p.m., so do not plan a last-minute counter filing during lunch or after closing. |
| Drop-box timing | Wilson County has a courthouse drop box. For a self-represented filer, a document placed in the drop box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day, which can matter when a K.S.A. 59-617 six-month will deadline is approaching. |
| Kansas eCourt date | Wilson County began operating on Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020. Case information is searchable through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, and online documents for Wilson County cases begin from that date. |
| Self-help room | Wilson County is listed with a District Court Self-Help Center that has a computer and printer, but it is not staffed. Use it for access to equipment and forms, not for legal advice. |
| Older case-search links | If you see an older case-search link on a district page, use Kansas Courts CaseSearch instead. The current statewide search tool is CaseSearch. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 docket-fee surcharge | As of August 2026, the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104 is authorized through June 30, 2030. A Wilson County probate estate filing is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| 2026 nonresident fiduciary rule | A nonresident fiduciary's resident agent may reside anywhere in Kansas, not only in the county of appointment, under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2024 creditor publication timing | The time to publish notice to creditors after filing a petition changed to 30 days under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2023 small estates affidavit amount | As of July 1, 2023, the Small Estates Affidavit applies at $75,000 under K.S.A. 59-1507b, for the assets covered by that statute. |
| 2025 case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the current statewide case-information tool. Wilson County's Kansas eCourt date is November 2, 2020. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Wilson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by checking how the Fredonia or Wilson County home is titled. A co-owned home may need a title-clearing filing rather than a full estate, while a spouse may also need advice about the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215, family allowance under K.S.A. 59-403 and the elective-share notice under K.S.A. 59-2233. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance and debts so the spouse can see whether the home is the main asset or whether a Wilson County estate settlement is also needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the estate has no real estate and the probate assets fit the Small Estates Affidavit, as of July 1, 2023, $75,000 under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the affidavit may be presented to the asset holder instead of opening administration. If letters are needed, a nonresident personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent in writing under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706, and can ask for remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset helps check for financial accounts before the child decides whether an affidavit, a Wilson County petition or an attorney-supported filing is the better path. |
| 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 facts, and do not miss the six-month will rule in K.S.A. 59-617. | Sunset organizes the asset list, generates a starting probate packet and can connect the parent with a Kansas probate attorney for sale-related title and notice issues. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps in Wilson County |
|---|---|
| Wilson County District Court Self-Help Center | Located at the Wilson County Courthouse. Hours are each weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is not staffed and offers a computer and printer. No attorney day is listed. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help, probate and elder law | Statewide probate information, glossary and links to forms. It is informational and does not replace legal advice. |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free forms include the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, 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 for a Rule 103 request (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). |
| Kansas Legal Services | Statewide nonprofit civil legal help for eligible Kansans. Intake is 316-267-3975, each weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ask directly about eligibility and whether the issue fits current priorities. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansans age 60 or older can call 316-267-3975 to ask whether free legal advice is available through the elder hotline program. |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Use the Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral service if the estate needs Kansas probate counsel. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions so families can build a clearer inventory before deciding how to handle estate settlement in Wilson County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list and family information into an organized starting packet for the Wilson County District Court, including the details a lawyer or self-represented filer needs to review.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Kansas petition, real-estate issue or hearing requires professional help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted probate attorney familiar with Kansas procedure.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset does not charge families to start organizing an estate settlement, find assets, prepare next steps and decide whether local legal help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Wilson County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court at the Wilson County Courthouse, 615 Madison Street, Room 214, Fredonia, KS 66736 (K.S.A. 20-343). Wilson County is in Kansas's 31st Judicial District (K.S.A. 4-232), but Wilson County filings stay in Fredonia.
Can I e-file a Wilson County probate case if I do not have a lawyer?
Kansas-licensed attorneys must use e-filing under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). A self-represented filer in Wilson County files in person, by mail, by fax or by drop box, not through the attorney e-filing system.
What are the Wilson County clerk's hours?
The Wilson County District Court office is open each weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes over lunch. A self-represented drop-box filing placed by 4:00 p.m. local time counts that day.
How much does it cost to open a probate estate in Wilson County?
As of August 2026, the probate estate filing fee is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That total includes the $109.50 probate estate docket fee and the $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104. Other court costs may be taxed against the estate under K.S.A. 59-104(d).
Does Wilson County have its own probate forms?
No Wilson County local probate forms are posted by the Wilson County District Court. Use Kansas Judicial Council forms such as 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 Rule 103 motion form for a remote appearance request (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103).
Can I appear remotely for a Wilson County probate hearing?
You can ask. A remote appearance is discretionary under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), and the judge can deny the request. File the Kansas Judicial Council motion form, notify the other parties and ask the Wilson County clerk how the court wants the request submitted.
How do I look up a Wilson County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch for statewide case information. Wilson County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents for Wilson County cases begin from that date. For older documents or items not available online, use the courthouse public terminal or call the clerk.
Is there a deadline to file a will in Wilson County?
Yes. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition to probate the will is filed within six months after death, unless a statutory savings rule applies (K.S.A. 59-617). If the family is not ready to open a full estate, ask immediately whether filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a is needed.
Do I have to travel to Fredonia if I live out of state?
Not always, but do not assume travel is excused. An out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a Kansas resident agent under K.S.A. 59-706 and K.S.A. 59-1706, and can ask for a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). The judge decides whether to allow it.
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.