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Adair County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Adair County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Adair County District Court, probate division, under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Adair County |
| Courthouse address | Adair County Judicial Center, 201 Campbellsville St., Suite 101, Columbia, KY 42728 |
| Mailing | Use the courthouse address. A separate P.O. Box is not published for the Adair County office. |
| Phone | (270) 384-2626 |
| Fax | (270) 384-4299 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| Payment | Cash, check, money order, and ePay. The Adair County page does not list an in-person card option. |
| Filing fee | $80 to open a probate case: a $50 filing fee set by Supreme Court rule effective July 1, 2026 (CR 3.03(1)(c)), plus a $10 Access to Justice Fee (KRS 27A.630) and a $20 court technology fee. Adair County may add a $10 court facilities fee if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance (KRS 24A.185), and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. The Adair County court page does not publish a separate county probate packet. |
| E-filing | Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper in Columbia. |
| Case lookup | The Adair County page links the Kentucky court-date lookup. Full District Court probate case records are obtained through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, and CourtNet runs behind an account portal. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Adair County does not publish probate login details on its county page. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a hearing is remote. |
| Parking | Parking lots at and next to the building, with designated parking for those with a disability parking permit. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Adair.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Adair County, make a working list of the accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, funeral expenses, and any asset that already has a beneficiary or surviving co-owner. That first pass tells you whether estate settlement needs a full appointment or whether a narrower Kentucky court filing may fit.
Sunset can search across 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts and assets before they choose the filing path. Bring that asset picture to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia or to a Kentucky probate attorney so the papers match what actually needs to be transferred.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Kentucky sends the estate to the District Court of the county where the person lived at death (KRS 394.140), and where there is no will, to the same court (KRS 395.030). If the person lived in Adair County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Adair County courthouse in Columbia.
The filing location is the Adair County Judicial Center, 201 Campbellsville St., Suite 101, Columbia, KY 42728. The court serves all of Adair County, including Columbia and unincorporated communities such as Knifley and Gradyville.
Adair County is in Kentucky's 29th Judicial District with Casey County (KRS 24A.030). That shared district does not change where an Adair County probate filing is opened: it remains an Adair County District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia.
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts, likely heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a will exists. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter. KRS 24A.120(2) gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate, and the papers are filed with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Adair County, at the Adair County courthouse in Columbia. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Adair Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
- Choose the starting form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). Use AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Get the forms from the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms catalogue or from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 201 Campbellsville St., Suite 101, Columbia. A new financial disclosure, AOC-808, is part of an appointment request under KRS 395.015.
- File in Columbia, or have an attorney e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. Attorneys must e-file eligible Kentucky probate filings since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- Pay the opening cost. $80 to open a probate case: a $50 filing fee set by Supreme Court rule effective July 1, 2026 (CR 3.03(1)(c)), plus a $10 Access to Justice Fee (KRS 27A.630) and a $20 court technology fee. Adair County may add a $10 court facilities fee if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance (KRS 24A.185), and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file. The Adair County page lists cash, check, money order, and ePay.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk how the court date will be set and what notice the judge expects for your filing. The Adair County page does not publish a probate motion day or separate probate schedule.
- Ask about remote appearance before the court date. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020 and the Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide remote-court instructions. Whether a particular Adair County District Court probate matter is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge, and the login details are not published centrally: the Court of Justice's own instruction is to contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county where you are scheduled to appear. Call (270) 384-2626 and ask before you assume either way.
- If the court appoints you, get the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. Kentucky law also uses letters of appointment under KRS 395.105, and banks or title companies often ask for the appointment order together with the AOC-807 certificate.
- Administer the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 no later than 90 days after qualification; the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Track creditor claims under KRS 396.011, pay allowed expenses, and keep records for estate settlement.
- Close the estate when it is ready. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 if the Kentucky requirements fit, or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Adair County
Adair County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Adair County form set. You file form AOC-805 to open the estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 to close under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605. All of them are free at kycourts.gov and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia will also hand you paper copies.
| Form | Use in Adair County |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Open a probate estate, probate a will, or ask for appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure filed with an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification used after appointment. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and appraisement filed under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of estate under KRS 395.610. |
| AOC-850 | Application for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605. |
Local nuance
Adair County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Payment methods | The Adair County page lists cash, check, money order, and ePay. It does not list an in-person card option, so call before relying on a card. |
| Single filing phone line | The Office of Circuit Court Clerk publishes one filing number, (270) 384-2626. The separate jury service line is not the probate filing line. |
| Parking | The court page lists parking lots at and next to the building, plus designated parking for those with a disability parking permit. |
| Shared district | Adair County shares the 29th Judicial District with Casey County under KRS 24A.030, but Adair probate filings still go to the Adair County office in Columbia. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Adair County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by separating the home from probate assets if title passes by survivorship. If other assets need court authority, file in Columbia. A personal-property-only estate may fit a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, while a home that must be sold often requires AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, and title issues so the estate settlement plan matches what actually needs transfer. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Call (270) 384-2626 before mailing papers because the Adair page does not publish a separate mailing P.O. Box. If the Kentucky small estate path fits, AOC-830 asks the judge to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. Plan for cash, check, money order, or ePay, since the page does not list an in-person card option. | Sunset helps gather the asset list, generate the starting packet, and identify when a local attorney should handle the Columbia filing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually means opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. After appointment, use the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, with banks and title companies. If a dispute becomes contested, it moves to Adair Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps locate assets, organize sale-related documents, and connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney for title and court issues. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Adair County | Filing office for Adair County estates. The office can provide forms, accept filings, give court-date information, and tell you the current amount due. The circuit court clerk cannot give legal advice. | Adair County Judicial Center, 201 Campbellsville St., Suite 101, Columbia, KY 42728; (270) 384-2626; fax (270) 384-4299 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805, AOC-807, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846, AOC-850, and AOC-860. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews for self-represented people, including Probate Estate and Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed for Adair County. Ask the program directly what help may be available for your situation. | 866-277-5733; https://www.ardfky.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Income-eligible Kentuckians can post a civil legal question online for a volunteer attorney to answer. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide place to look for a Kentucky attorney. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | The AOC's plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and forms for 2026 rules, including KRS 395.130 on bond and KRS 395.250 on inventory. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate includes real estate to sell, a business, missing heirs, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, tax questions, or any contested matter that could become an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. Counsel also helps when an out-of-state family member needs a Columbia filing handled without repeated travel. Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property so families can begin estate settlement with a clearer inventory.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the asset picture into an organized Kentucky probate packet, including the Adair County filing location and the statewide AOC forms that match the situation.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court probate under KRS 24A.120 and filings in Columbia.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, find assets, and understand next steps without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Adair County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Adair County Judicial Center, 201 Campbellsville St., Suite 101, Columbia, KY 42728. Probate is handled in Adair County District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What phone number should I call for an Adair County probate filing?
Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 384-2626. The Adair County page also lists a separate jury service line, but that is not the probate filing line.
How much does it cost to open probate in Adair County?
$80 to open a probate case: a $50 filing fee set by Supreme Court rule effective July 1, 2026 (CR 3.03(1)(c)), plus a $10 Access to Justice Fee (KRS 27A.630) and a $20 court technology fee. Adair County may add a $10 court facilities fee if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance (KRS 24A.185), and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file.
What payment methods does the Adair County court page list?
The Adair County page lists cash, check, money order, and ePay. It does not list an in-person card option, so call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before relying on a card.
Does Adair County have its own probate forms?
Adair County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. The county page does not publish a separate local probate packet. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening an estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for inventory under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610, and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
How does e-filing work for Adair County probate?
Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register for eFiling, but they may also file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia.
Can I look up an Adair County probate case online?
The Adair County page links the Kentucky court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets. Treat that as a court-date tool, not full case records. CourtNet runs behind an account portal, and for District Court probate records you should contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia.
Can I attend an Adair County probate hearing remotely?
Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but the Adair County page does not publish probate Zoom login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 384-2626 before assuming the hearing will be remote or in person.
Does Adair County publish probate hearing days?
The Adair County court page does not publish a probate motion day or separate probate hearing schedule. Use the Kentucky court-date lookup for scheduled court dates, and call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for case-specific information.
Do I have to travel to Columbia to open an estate?
If you are self-represented, paper filings go through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Columbia, and the Adair County page does not publish a separate mailing P.O. Box. Call (270) 384-2626 before mailing papers. If an attorney handles the matter, eligible probate filings are e-filed through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024.
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.