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Caldwell County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Caldwell County District Court, probate division under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Caldwell County |
| Courthouse address | Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445 |
| Mailing | No separate mailing address is published by the county court page. Use the courthouse address and call (270) 365-6884 before mailing original probate papers. |
| Phone | (270) 365-6884 |
| Fax | The Caldwell County Court of Justice page does not publish a fax number. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| 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. Caldwell 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. |
| Payment | Cash, check, and money order are listed for in-person payment. Cash is required for any bond ordered under KRS 395.130. The page also links to ePay online. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. The Caldwell County court page does not publish a separate Caldwell County probate packet. |
| Electronic filing | Attorney filings in eligible Kentucky probate case types use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system under the statewide rule effective January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Princeton clerk's office. |
| Court dates and records | The Court of Justice has a Find a Court Date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ for court dates only. It is not full case records. CourtNet access for case information goes through an account portal, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk is the local contact for Caldwell County trial-court records. |
| Remote court | No Caldwell County Zoom login or probate-specific remote instruction is posted on the county page. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming how the hearing will be held. |
| Accessibility and parking | Elevator. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is accessible. Two-hour parking is listed around the building. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Caldwell.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Princeton, make a working list of the estate's accounts, real estate, debts, funeral expenses, and likely heirs or beneficiaries. That list drives the local estate settlement choices: whether you are asking to open a full estate, whether AOC-830 and KRS 395.455 may fit, whether a court-ordered bond under KRS 395.130 could come up, and what payment method to bring to the Caldwell County clerk's counter.
Sunset can help with this first pass by searching across more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and benefits that families often miss. Better asset information usually means fewer corrections after the first Caldwell County filing and a smoother estate settlement.
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 Caldwell County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Caldwell County courthouse in Princeton.
The Caldwell County filing location is the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. The court serves all of Caldwell County, including Princeton, Fredonia, and unincorporated areas of the county.
Caldwell County is part of Kentucky's 56th Judicial District with Livingston, Lyon, and Trigg counties (KRS 24A.030). The estate filing remains a Caldwell County District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Princeton.
The jurisdiction process
- Start by listing assets, debts, funeral expenses, and who is asking to serve. This keeps the Caldwell County estate settlement focused before you choose the opening papers.
- Choose the filing path. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator under KRS 394.145, and include the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 when appointment is requested. Use AOC-830 if you are asking the judge to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Get the forms from the Kentucky Court of Justice forms catalog or from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Princeton. Caldwell County uses the statewide AOC probate forms rather than a separate local packet.
- File at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. If you plan to mail papers, call (270) 365-6884 first because no separate mailing address is published for the clerk's office.
- 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. Caldwell 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. The county page lists cash, check, and money order, and cash is required for any court-ordered bond under KRS 395.130.
- Ask the clerk's office for the court date and whether anything else is needed for notice or scheduling. The county page does not publish probate motion days, but the Court of Justice Find a Court Date lookup can be used for court-date information.
- Ask about remote appearance before the hearing. Kentucky courts have remote-court instructions, but Caldwell County does not post a probate Zoom link, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the judge's instructions.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, get the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807. Kentucky law also refers to letters of appointment under KRS 395.105, and the clerk can issue formal letters under KRS 395.110 when requested.
- After qualification, administer the estate. File the AOC-841 inventory within 90 days under KRS 395.250, and remember that the inventory is filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Track creditor claims under KRS 396.011 and keep receipts for payments and distributions.
- Close the estate when it is ready. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when the statutory requirements fit, or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Caldwell County
Caldwell County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Caldwell 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 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 to close. All of them are free at kycourts.gov and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Princeton will also hand you paper copies.
Local nuance
Caldwell County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Payment at the courthouse | The Caldwell County page lists cash, check, and money order for in-person payment. It does not list an in-person card option. Cash is required for any court-ordered bond under KRS 395.130. |
| Online payment link | The county page links to ePay online. That link is not the same thing as a public probate case-record search, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Caldwell County case questions. |
| Shared judicial district | Caldwell County is in the 56th Judicial District with Livingston, Lyon, and Trigg counties under KRS 24A.030. The probate filing still belongs in Caldwell County District Court under KRS 24A.120 when venue belongs in Caldwell County. |
| Building access | The county page lists an elevator, accessible clerk's office, and two-hour parking around the building. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Caldwell County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | File at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex in Princeton. If the estate has personal property only, AOC-830 may be considered for a request to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. A home sale or title issue often requires opening an estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 so an executor or administrator can receive authority. | Sunset helps identify accounts, benefits, debts, and real estate details before the spouse decides what to file. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Call (270) 365-6884 before mailing papers because no separate mailing address is published. If asking to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, use AOC-830. Plan payment carefully: the county page lists cash, check, or money order at the counter, links ePay online, and does not publish an in-person card option. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, generate a filing packet, and prepare questions for the clerk before the child travels or mails originals. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually points to a full estate opening with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. After appointment, the clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and Kentucky letters of appointment are recognized under KRS 395.105. If a dispute becomes contested, it is filed in Caldwell Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps find assets, prepare the estate settlement packet, and connect the parent with a Kentucky probate attorney when title work or a dispute is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Caldwell County | Filing office for Caldwell County estates. The office can provide forms, accept filings, tell you the current amount due under CR 3.03, and give court-date information. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. Phone: (270) 365-6884. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-807, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, AOC-850 under KRS 395.605, 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 Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455 and Probate Estate. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Kentucky Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed for Caldwell County. Ask directly what help is available for your situation. | 270-782-1924 or 800-782-1924. https://www.klaid.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 | Plain-language AOC introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for deadlines, bond under KRS 395.130, and financial disclosure under KRS 395.015 because the booklet predates the July 15, 2026 changes. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Kentucky probate attorney if the Caldwell County estate includes a house to sell, unclear heirs, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, a possible will contest under KRS 394.240, a disagreement over who should serve, tax questions, or any contested adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120. Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for bank, brokerage, retirement, insurance, and benefit accounts so the Caldwell County estate settlement starts from a clearer asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns your answers into an organized packet for the Kentucky AOC forms used in Caldwell County, including the opening petition, appointment paperwork, inventory planning under KRS 395.250, and closing forms when the estate is ready.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal advice, a home sale, or help with a contested matter under KRS 24A.120, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement process, gather documents, and prepare for the Caldwell County filing without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Caldwell County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex, 105 W. Court Square, Princeton, KY 42445. Kentucky sends the estate to the District Court for the county where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140, and Caldwell County probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120.
What number should I call for a Caldwell County estate?
Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 365-6884. The Caldwell County page publishes one clerk's office phone number and does not publish a separate District or probate line.
How much does it cost to open a Caldwell County probate case?
$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. Caldwell 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.
What payment methods are listed for the Caldwell County clerk's office?
The county page lists cash, check, and money order for in-person payment, and it links to ePay online. It also states that cash is required for any court-ordered bond under KRS 395.130. The page does not list an in-person card option.
Does Caldwell County use special local probate forms?
Caldwell County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. The county court page does not publish a separate Caldwell County probate packet. 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.
Can I submit Caldwell County probate papers electronically?
Attorney filings in eligible Kentucky probate case types use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system under the statewide rule effective January 1, 2024. If you are handling the estate yourself, you may register as a self-represented filer, but you may also file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Princeton.
How do I check a Caldwell County probate court date?
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a Find a Court Date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ for court dates, and Caldwell County is listed there. It is not full case records. CourtNet case access goes through an account portal, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Princeton for Caldwell County case questions.
Can my Caldwell County probate hearing be remote?
Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020 and the Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide remote-court instructions. Whether a Caldwell County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge, and login details are not published centrally. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 365-6884 before the hearing.
Do I have to travel to Princeton to handle a Caldwell County estate?
Not always, but you should call the clerk before relying on mail or remote participation. No separate mailing address or local Zoom information is posted for Caldwell County, and the county page lists specific payment methods. If the estate needs appointment papers, the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 are issued after the court appoints the personal representative.
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.