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Woodson County, KS Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Woodson County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Woodson County District Court, in Kansas's 31st Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-232 |
| Filing office | Clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343, Woodson County Courthouse, 105 W Rutledge Street, Yates Center, KS 66783 |
| Mailing address | 105 W Rutledge Street, Yates Center, KS 66783 |
| Phone | 620-625-8610 |
| Fax | 620-625-8674 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Probate estate filing fee | As of August 2026, $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104, made up of the $109.50 probate estate charge and the $22 surcharge authorized by K.S.A. 59-104 through June 30, 2030. Other court costs may be taxed against the estate as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104. |
| Local forms | No Woodson County local probate form, local cover sheet or local checklist is posted. Use the Kansas Judicial Council forms and any petition your lawyer prepares. |
| E-filing | Kansas-licensed attorneys e-file under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). People filing for themselves use the in-person, mail, fax or drop-box filing channels. |
| Drop box | 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 at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov. Woodson County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents may begin with filings from that date forward. |
| Remote appearance | Ask by motion under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). The judge decides whether to allow a phone or video appearance. |
| Website | 31st Judicial District Woodson County page: https://31jd.org/index.php/woodson-county |
| Self-help center | Woodson County has a courthouse Self-Help Center, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., not staffed, with a computer. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing, make a practical list of the person's assets, debts, beneficiaries, real estate and any will. Kansas uses different probate routes for a bank-only estate, a house that must be sold, a will that only needs to be preserved, and a full administration, so the first estate settlement task is knowing what exists.
Sunset can help with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organize the information into the Woodson County probate path that fits the estate settlement. If a will exists, do not wait to address the six-month rule under K.S.A. 59-617.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Woodson County probate filings go to the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center. Woodson County shares Kansas's 31st Judicial District with Allen, Neosho and Wilson counties under K.S.A. 4-232, but a Woodson County estate is filed in Yates Center, not in Iola, Fredonia, Chanute or Erie.
Venue for a Kansas probate case 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 did not own real property in the county of residence, the filing may be in the county of residence or a county where the decedent owned real property. If the decedent was not a Kansas resident, the filing may be in a county where the decedent left property to be administered. If cases are started in more than one county, the first-filed case controls until venue is decided, and a misfiled case is transferred.
The jurisdiction process
- Gather the death certificate, the will if one exists, asset information, debt information, real estate information and contact information for heirs, devisees and legatees.
- Address the Kansas will deadline first. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death, unless a savings provision applies under K.S.A. 59-617. If the family is not ready to open a full estate, ask about filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a.
- Choose the Kansas route before drafting. Depending on the property and timing, the path may be a small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, 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, or simplified or supervised administration under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Prepare the petition using the Kansas Probate Code requirements. If you want simplified administration, ask for it in the petition and state the reasons under K.S.A. 59-3202.
- Add the required new-case paperwork. A self-represented filer should include the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form, a case-filing cover sheet and any fee-waiver request such as a Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
- File with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at 105 W Rutledge Street in Yates Center. A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, by fax to 620-625-8674 or by using the courthouse drop box. As of August 2026, the probate estate filing fee is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104 unless the court grants fee relief.
- After the petition is filed, the court fixes the hearing. Notice is published once per week for three consecutive weeks under K.S.A. 59-2209, and notice to creditors is handled under K.S.A. 59-709. The hearing date must fit the statutory timing rules.
- If there is a surviving spouse, send the spouse the required elective-share notice within 10 days when K.S.A. 59-2233 applies.
- Attend the hearing in Yates Center or ask ahead of time for permission to appear by phone or video 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.
- After letters are granted, file the inventory and valuation within 30 days under K.S.A. 59-1201 unless the court allows more time. Give actual notice to known or reasonably ascertainable creditors, pay allowed claims and taxes, and track the claim period under K.S.A. 59-2239.
- When administration is ready to close, file the petition for final settlement and accounting. The court enters the final decree assigning the estate under K.S.A. 59-2247 and K.S.A. 59-2249.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Woodson County
Kansas publishes free statewide forms through the Kansas Judicial Council, but Woodson County does not post a local probate packet, local probate cover sheet or local probate checklist. Use the statewide forms that apply, and expect the petition that opens an estate to be drafted from the Kansas Probate Code or by a lawyer.
| Form or resource | Use in Woodson County |
|---|---|
| Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b | Used outside court to collect qualifying personal property from the holder. It does not transfer real estate and it does not stop the K.S.A. 59-617 will deadline. |
| Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form | Required when you file for yourself. |
| Case-filing cover sheet | Required with a new case. |
| Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104 | Used to ask the court to waive or defer the filing fee if allowed. |
| Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video | Used to ask for a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). |
| Rule 119 Fax Transmission Sheet | Use this if filing by fax to the Woodson County clerk's office. |
| Probate notice of hearing form | A statewide Judicial Council probate notice form may be useful when notice is required. |
| Petition for allowance of demand | A statewide Judicial Council form for a creditor's demand. |
Local nuance
Woodson County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| File in Yates Center | Woodson County is part of Kansas's 31st Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-232, but Woodson County filings stay at the Woodson County Courthouse in Yates Center. |
| Lunch closure | The local counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Plan same-day filings around the noon closure and the 4:30 p.m. counter close. |
| Drop box | Woodson County has a drop box. A self-represented filing placed in the box by 4:00 p.m. local time counts as filed that day. |
| eCourt start date | Woodson County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020. Case information is searchable through Kansas Courts CaseSearch, and online documents may begin with filings from that date forward. |
| District magistrate judge | A district magistrate judge sits in Woodson County. Kansas law allows a district magistrate judge to hear probate matters, including matters involving title to real estate, under K.S.A. 20-302b. |
| Self-Help Center | The courthouse Self-Help Center is not staffed and lists a computer as its resource. It is not a substitute for legal advice. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| 2026 court-fee surcharge | The $22 surcharge under K.S.A. 59-104 is authorized from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, so as of August 2026 a Woodson 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, with the written appointment and acceptance filed in the district court under K.S.A. 59-1706. |
| 2024 creditor publication timing | The notice to creditors publication timing changed to within 30 days after filing under K.S.A. 59-709. |
| 2025 case search | Kansas Courts CaseSearch is the live statewide search tool for public district court case information. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Woodson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying how the Yates Center or Woodson County real estate is titled. A joint tenancy filing may be enough for the co-owned home, while other assets may require probate. The spouse should also watch for the elective-share notice and spousal protections, including the homestead allowance under K.S.A. 59-6a215. | Sunset organizes deeds, accounts, debts and beneficiary information so the spouse can see whether an estate settlement filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate has no real estate and fits the $75,000 amount effective July 1, 2023 under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the child may be able to use the small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b with the bank or other holder. If letters are needed, an out-of-state personal representative can serve after appointing a resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, and can ask about a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). | Sunset searches for accounts, builds the asset list and can connect the child with a Kansas lawyer if a petition is needed in Yates Center. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | The small estates affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b will not transfer the home. 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. If a will exists, address the six-month will rule under K.S.A. 59-617 before the sale plan controls the timeline. | Sunset helps identify liens, accounts and property details, then prepares the family to speak with a Woodson County probate attorney about the sale path. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Woodson County Self-Help Center | Located at the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is not staffed and lists a computer as its resource. |
| Kansas Judicial Branch probate and elder law self-help | Offers general probate information and links to Kansas forms and education resources: https://self-help.kscourts.gov/ProbateAndElderLaw |
| Kansas Judicial Council forms | Free forms include 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 Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103). |
| Kansas Legal Services | Provides civil legal help for eligible Kansans. Call 316-267-3975, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Kansas Elder Hotline | Kansans age 60 and older may call 316-267-3975 for information about whether the hotline can help. |
| Kansas Bar Association lawyer referral | Referral route for finding a Kansas lawyer: https://ksbar.org/?pg=clientreferrals |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful when a will may be close to the six-month deadline under K.S.A. 59-617, real estate must be sold, heirs disagree, a creditor issue is likely, a nonresident fiduciary must appoint a resident agent under K.S.A. 59-1706, or the petition needs to request informal administration under K.S.A. 59-3301 or simplified administration under K.S.A. 59-3202. Kansas compensation for the personal representative and attorney must be just and reasonable under K.S.A. 59-1717. Sunset connects families with 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 for Woodson County estate settlement, including accounts, insurance, debts and real estate leads.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized probate packet so you can file in Yates Center, work with a Kansas attorney, or decide whether a non-court affidavit path fits.
Find a local probate attorney. When a court petition, real estate sale, creditor issue or remote appearance request is needed, Sunset can connect you with a Kansas probate attorney who understands Woodson County filing logistics.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools at no cost, including asset discovery, document organization and attorney matching.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Woodson County, Kansas?
File with the clerk of the district court under K.S.A. 20-343 at the Woodson County Courthouse, 105 W Rutledge Street, Yates Center, KS 66783. Woodson County is in Kansas's 31st Judicial District under K.S.A. 4-232, but the filing is made in Yates Center.
What are the Woodson County clerk's office hours?
The local counter is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Can I e-file a Woodson County probate case?
Kansas-licensed attorneys e-file under Rule 122 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 122). If you are filing for yourself, use the in-person, mail, fax or drop-box filing channels for the Woodson County clerk's office.
What does it cost to open a probate estate in Woodson County?
As of August 2026, the probate estate filing fee is $131.50 under K.S.A. 59-104. That amount includes the $109.50 probate estate charge and the $22 surcharge authorized by K.S.A. 59-104 through June 30, 2030. Other court costs can be assessed as the court directs under K.S.A. 59-104.
Is there a deadline to file a will in Woodson County?
Yes. A will of a Kansas resident cannot pass property unless a petition for probate is filed within six months after death, unless a savings provision applies under K.S.A. 59-617. Filing a will and affidavit under K.S.A. 59-618a can preserve the will if done inside that period.
Can I appear remotely for a Woodson County probate hearing?
You can ask. A Kansas district court has discretion to allow a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103), and the Kansas Judicial Council provides a Motion to Appear in Court by Phone or Video. The judge decides whether to grant the request.
How do I look up a Woodson County probate case?
Use Kansas Courts CaseSearch at https://casesearch.kscourts.gov. Woodson County joined Kansas eCourt on November 2, 2020, so online documents may begin with filings from that date forward. More complete public records may be available at the courthouse terminal.
Does Woodson County have local probate forms?
No Woodson County local probate form, local cover sheet or local checklist is posted. Use Kansas Judicial Council forms where available, including the Small Estates Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-1507b, the case-filing cover sheet, the Self-Represented Litigant Certification Form and the Poverty Affidavit under K.S.A. 59-104.
Do I have to travel to Yates Center if I live out of state?
You may need to file with the Woodson County clerk's office, but you can ask for a remote appearance under Rule 103 (Kan. Sup. Ct. R. 103) if a hearing is set. A nonresident fiduciary can serve in Kansas after appointing a resident agent in writing under K.S.A. 59-1706.
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.