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Boone County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Detail | Boone County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Boone County District Court. Probate is heard on the District Civil docket. KRS 24A.120(2) gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate. |
| Courthouse | Boone County Justice Center, 6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141, Burlington, KY 41005 |
| Mailing | Use the same address: Boone County Justice Center, 6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141, Burlington, KY 41005 |
| Phone | District Civil, for probate questions: (859) 448-2902. Main line: (859) 448-2900. |
| Fax | (859) 448-2975. The office lists a fax number, but does not say that probate petitions may be filed by fax. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., eastern time. Closed Saturday and Sunday. The clerk's office lists a 2026 state holiday calendar. |
| Cost to open | $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. Boone 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 where one is in force (KRS 453.060), so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file. |
| Forms | Boone County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. No separate Boone County probate form set is listed. |
| E-filing | Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must e-file eligible Kentucky probate documents. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling but may still file on paper in Room 141. |
| Case lookup | Kentucky does not offer a free public case search for District Court probate files. The Court of Justice offers a free court-date lookup that includes Boone County and states that it is not an official docket. |
| Remote appearance | Boone County does not list probate login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 448-2902 before assuming a hearing will be in person or remote. |
| Parking and access | Free parking is listed in front of the Boone County Justice Center and in the church parking lot behind the building. The building is listed as fully accessible. |
| Websites | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Boone.aspx and https://boonecourtclerk.org/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Boone County filing path, make a practical list of the accounts, real property, vehicles, debts and known beneficiaries. Estate settlement moves faster when you know whether the matter needs an appointed personal representative, whether real estate must be sold, and which Boone County court date or counter step matters next.
Sunset can help locate accounts across 2,300 institutions before the paperwork is assembled. That gives you a cleaner starting point before you call the District Civil line in Burlington to ask about the current filing total, docket timing and payment options.
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 Boone County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Boone County Justice Center in Burlington.
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk lists one Boone County filing location: Room 141 at 6025 Rogers Lane. Florence, Union, Walton, Hebron, Richwood, Verona, Petersburg, Rabbit Hash and other Boone County communities use the same Burlington counter.
Boone County is in Kentucky's 54th Judicial District with Gallatin County (KRS 24A.030). The judicial district context helps explain scheduling, but the estate is still filed as a Boone County District Court matter with the Boone County Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
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 Boone County, at the Boone County Justice Center in Burlington. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Boone Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts and people involved. Bring that information into the Boone County estate settlement plan before you decide whether to ask for appointment, probate a will, or ask the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms. Boone County uses the statewide forms, including AOC-805 to open an estate or probate a will (KRS 394.145), AOC-808 for the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015, AOC-830 if you are asking to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), and AOC-841 for the inventory required by KRS 395.250.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Room 141 at the Boone County Justice Center, 6025 Rogers Lane, Burlington. File on the District Civil side. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must e-file eligible probate documents, while a self-represented filer may still file on paper.
- Pay the opening cost or ask the clerk for the exact total before you file. $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. Boone 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 where one is in force (KRS 453.060), so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file.
- Use Boone County's listed payment options carefully. The office lists in-person payment at windows A, B or C, cash, local or certified check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee, an online payment link, a bookkeeping phone line, mail to Room 141 and dropboxes on the front of the Justice Center. Ask the clerk which options apply to a probate filing.
- Ask how your court date will be handled. Boone County calls probate on the District Civil docket in courtroom 1A on Monday at 1 p.m., Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Wednesday morning, but the office does not give a filing-to-hearing interval. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you rely on a date or time.
- Ask about remote appearance before travel. Kentucky courts have used remote proceedings since March 2020, but Boone County does not list probate login details. The Court of Justice instruction is to contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county where you are scheduled to appear.
- If the District Court appoints you, get the authority documents. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, showing that the appointment order is in full force and effect. Kentucky law also uses the term letters of appointment for fiduciary authority (KRS 395.105), and KRS 395.110 lets you ask the clerk for formal letters under seal.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and use AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when the estate is ready to close.
- If someone contests the matter, use the Circuit Civil path. KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240 send a will contest or other adversary proceeding to Boone Circuit Court as a new Circuit Court case, and Boone County's Circuit Civil page lists contested probate cases on that side of the same Justice Center.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Boone County
Boone County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Boone County form set. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk's District Civil page sends readers to the Kentucky Court of Justice forms page for current versions.
| Form | Use in Boone County |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for Probate of Will; and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator, used to open an estate or probate a will. KRS 394.145. |
| AOC-808 | Financial Disclosure, part of the appointment paperwork under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to Dispense with Administration, the Kentucky court petition for asking the judge to transfer assets without appointing an executor or administrator. KRS 395.455. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification, the clerk-issued proof of appointment used with the appointment order. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and Appraisement of Estate, filed under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of Estate, used for a formal settlement under KRS 395.610. |
| AOC-850 | Application for Informal Final Settlement, used when the estate qualifies for that closing route under KRS 395.605. |
Timeline
- Probate is listed on Boone County's District Civil docket, which is held in courtroom 1A at the Boone County Justice Center. The clerk's District Civil page lists probate on Monday at 1 p.m., Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Wednesday morning.
- No civil dockets are listed for Friday. Do not assume a Friday filing means a Friday court event.
- The Kentucky Court of Justice county page gives a slightly different Wednesday civil time than the clerk's District Civil page. Because the clerk's department page is the one that names probate, use it as the starting point, then call (859) 448-2902 before relying on the time.
- The office does not list how long appointment takes after filing. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the court date assigned to your Boone County filing.
- If the estate becomes contested, Boone County's clerk places contested probate cases on the Circuit Civil side. Circuit Civil motions are listed on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., alternating between divisions, in the same Justice Center. KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240 govern the Circuit Court adversary proceeding.
Local nuance
Boone County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Direct estate phone line | The main office number is (859) 448-2900, but the clerk's own department listing places probate on District Civil and gives District Civil at (859) 448-2902. Call District Civil first for estate settlement questions. |
| Room 141 | The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is listed in Room 141 at the Boone County Justice Center. Room 141 is the clerk counter, not a separate probate department. |
| Published probate docket | Probate is called on the District Civil docket in courtroom 1A on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and on Wednesday morning. The court does not list a wait time or appointment turnaround. |
| Payment channels | The office lists counter payment, mail, an online payment link, a bookkeeping phone line and dropboxes on the front of the Justice Center. Card payments carry a fee, but no probate-specific amount is listed. |
| Parking and access | The court lists free parking in front of the Justice Center and in the church parking lot behind it, and lists the building as fully accessible. |
| Contested cases stay in the same building | Uncontested probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. If the case becomes contested, Boone County's clerk lists contested probate cases on the Circuit Civil side, and both courts sit in the same Justice Center. |
| Two different clerk offices | The probate filing office is the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Justice Center on Rogers Lane. The Boone County Clerk is a different county office for land records, vehicles, marriage licenses and elections. |
| Burlington courthouse location | Burlington is the county seat and courthouse community, but many Boone County residents live in Florence, Union, Walton, Hebron or other communities. All Boone County estates use the Burlington Justice Center. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Room 141 at the Boone County Justice Center. If only personal property is involved, ask whether a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 fits. A co-owned home may require more analysis because Boone County uses the same District Civil counter, but the real-property result depends on title and Kentucky law. | Sunset helps gather the asset picture, identify which accounts may need court authority, and prepare the Boone County packet for review before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call the District Civil line at (859) 448-2902 before traveling to Burlington. Boone County lists mail, an online payment link, a bookkeeping line and dropboxes, but you should ask which options apply to your probate filing. Kentucky does not use a bank affidavit for this route; the court petition to dispense with administration is AOC-830 under KRS 395.455. | Sunset helps with estate settlement from a distance by locating accounts, organizing the form packet and helping you decide what to ask the clerk before booking travel. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually means opening a full administration with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and getting a Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, for the appointed personal representative. If a dispute develops, Boone County's clerk lists contested probate cases on Circuit Civil in the same Justice Center, with KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240 governing the Circuit Court path. | Sunset helps identify assets and debts, generate the starting paperwork and connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney when real estate or a dispute makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Boone County | The filing office for Boone County estates. The clerk can provide court forms, give the current fee total and tell you court dates, but cannot give legal advice. | Boone County Justice Center, 6025 Rogers Lane, Room 141, Burlington, KY 41005. District Civil: (859) 448-2902. Main line: (859) 448-2900. Fax: (859) 448-2975. https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Boone.aspx and https://boonecourtclerk.org/ |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide AOC probate forms used in Boone County, including AOC-805, AOC-807, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846 and AOC-850. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Free guided interviews for self-represented people, including Dispense with Administration and Probate Estate interviews. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Legal Aid of the Bluegrass | The civil legal aid program listed for Boone County. Ask the program directly whether it can help with your specific estate issue. | (859) 431-8200. https://lablaw.org/ |
| Northern Kentucky Bar Association | The local bar association for Northern Kentucky and a local lawyer-referral route for Boone County families. | (859) 781-1300. https://nkybar.com/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | An online service where eligible Kentuckians can post a civil legal question for a volunteer Kentucky attorney. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | A statewide referral page for finding a Kentucky attorney when the estate is contested, involves real property or needs legal advice. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Kentucky probate attorney if the will may be contested, real property must be sold, beneficiaries disagree, creditor claims are disputed under KRS 396.011, or you are unsure whether the Boone County filing should stay in District Court or become a Circuit Court adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120(2). Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for accounts, insurance, investments and other assets so the family starts estate settlement with a clearer picture of what exists.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Kentucky probate packet for Boone County, including the right starting forms for the path you choose.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves real property, a dispute or a contested Circuit Court path, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, prepare next steps and get connected to help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Boone County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Room 141 at the Boone County Justice Center, 6025 Rogers Lane, Burlington. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter, and KRS 24A.120(2) gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate.
What number should I call about a Boone County estate?
Call the District Civil line at (859) 448-2902. The office's main line is (859) 448-2900, but Boone County's own department listing places probate on the District Civil side.
What does it cost to open a probate case in Boone 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. Boone 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 where one is in force (KRS 453.060), so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file.
When is probate called in Boone County?
The clerk's District Civil page lists probate in courtroom 1A on Monday at 1 p.m., Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Wednesday morning, with no civil dockets on Friday. The office does not list a filing-to-hearing interval, so call (859) 448-2902 for the date and time assigned to your matter.
Are there local Boone County probate forms?
Boone County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. No separate Boone County probate form set is listed. Common forms include AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 and AOC-850 under KRS 395.605.
Does a lawyer have to e-file in Boone County probate?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate, intestate or dispense-with-administration case must e-file. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Burlington.
Can a Boone County probate hearing be handled remotely?
Kentucky courts have used remote proceedings since March 2020, and the Court of Justice gives statewide remote-court instructions. Boone County does not list probate login details, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 448-2902 before assuming how your hearing will be handled.
Can I look up a Boone County estate online?
Kentucky does not offer a free public case search for District Court probate files. The Court of Justice offers a free court-date lookup that includes Boone County and states that it is not an official docket, but the way to learn where an estate stands is to contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Burlington.
Do I have to travel to Burlington to handle a Boone County estate?
Not every step necessarily requires a trip, because Boone County lists mail, an online payment link, a bookkeeping phone line and dropboxes, and a self-represented filer may file on paper. Call the District Civil line before travel to ask what can be handled without appearing and whether any court event is in person or remote.
What happens if someone contests the will in Boone County?
A will contest is filed in Boone Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal from District Court (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240). Boone County's clerk lists contested probate cases on the Circuit Civil side, which is in the same Justice Center.
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.