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Carlisle County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Carlisle County District Court, sitting in probate under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Carlisle County |
| Courthouse address | Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62, Bardwell, KY 42023 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 337, Bardwell, KY 42023-0337 |
| Phone | (270) 628-5425 |
| Published fax | Carlisle County's court page does not list a fax number. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| 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. Carlisle 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, cashier's check, and money order. The court page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Form set | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. No separate Carlisle County probate form set is listed by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Electronic filing | Attorney e-filing has been required for eligible Kentucky probate papers since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register for electronic filing, but may still file on paper in Bardwell. |
| Online lookups | Kentucky has a free court-date lookup, but it is not an official docket and is not full case access. For estate status, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Phone or video attendance | The 1st Judicial District local rule allows a request for phone or video attendance at least one business day before the event, with good cause. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before relying on that option. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Carlisle.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Carlisle County, make a practical list of what the person owned, what was jointly owned, what had a beneficiary, and what debts or expenses still need to be handled. That first inventory of assets and liabilities drives the estate settlement plan, including whether a court appointment is needed or whether a narrower Kentucky petition may fit.
Sunset can help with the front-end search by checking more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you find into the Carlisle County filing path. That keeps the estate settlement work focused before you call or visit the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Bardwell.
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 Carlisle County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Carlisle County Courthouse in Bardwell.
Carlisle County's courthouse city is Bardwell. The county also includes Arlington, but probate filings are handled at the Bardwell courthouse. Carlisle County is in Kentucky's 1st Judicial District with Ballard, Fulton and Hickman counties (KRS 24A.030), and the local rules set Carlisle County District Court sessions for the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
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 Carlisle County, at the Carlisle County courthouse in Bardwell. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Carlisle Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the assets, debts, heirs, beneficiaries, and any will before choosing the filing path. For a will probate or appointment request, Carlisle County uses AOC-805 under KRS 394.145.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms. Carlisle County uses the statewide forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for a petition 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.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62, Bardwell, KY 42023, or mail papers to P.O. Box 337, Bardwell, KY 42023-0337. Use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, not the separate Carlisle County Clerk at the same street address.
- Use the right filing method. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must electronically file eligible Kentucky probate papers. A self-represented filer may register for electronic filing, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Bardwell.
- Pay the opening amount. $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. Carlisle 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. Carlisle County's payment line names cash, cashier's check, money order, and Pay online with ePay.
- Calendar the local docket. Carlisle County's Probate, Civil, and Small Claims session is on the second and fourth Monday of the month, immediately after the 9 a.m. criminal and traffic session finishes. Dates can move for holidays, weather, health, safety, or another emergency, so call (270) 628-5425 before travel.
- If you want to attend by phone or video, ask early. Under the 1st Judicial District's local rule, a person seeking phone or video attendance must ask at least one business day before the court event and show good cause, such as extraordinary travel, a medical emergency, or a scheduling conflict elsewhere. Lawyers are expected to appear in person unless they have a medical, bereavement, or direct scheduling conflict.
- If the court appoints you as executor or administrator, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, showing the appointment order is in effect. Kentucky law also uses letters of appointment language in KRS 395.105 and allows formal letters under seal under KRS 395.110.
- Administer the estate and close it. A personal representative files the inventory on AOC-841 within ninety days after qualifying, and the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Kentucky no longer requires bond by default under KRS 395.130. Creditor claims are governed by KRS 396.011. Closing usually uses AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605, depending on the settlement path.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Carlisle County
Carlisle County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Carlisle County probate form set. You file 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.
The forms are available from the Kentucky Court of Justice, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Bardwell can provide paper copies. The clerk can provide forms and court-date information, but cannot give legal advice or tell you which legal choice to make.
Timeline
- Carlisle County District Court sessions are set for the second and fourth Monday of the month for all dockets under the 1st Judicial District local rules (KRS 24A.120, KRS 24A.030).
- The Probate, Civil, and Small Claims docket begins immediately after the 9 a.m. criminal and traffic session finishes on those Mondays. The local rule does not give probate a separate fixed clock time.
- Court dates may be changed or cancelled for holidays, health, safety, weather, or another emergency. A cancelled proceeding moves to the next regular session or another approved date.
- Before you mail papers, drive to Bardwell, or ask for phone or video attendance, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 628-5425 to confirm the date, payment total, and attendance instructions.
Local nuance
Carlisle County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bardwell is the courthouse city | Carlisle County probate is filed in Bardwell. The town of Carlisle, Kentucky, is in Nicholas County, not Carlisle County. |
| Two clerk offices share the same street address | Probate papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, phone (270) 628-5425, at 985 U.S. Highway 62. The separate Carlisle County Clerk at the same street address handles deeds, land records, motor vehicles, and elections, not probate filings. |
| Phone or video attendance has a local rule | The 1st Judicial District rule requires a request at least one business day before the court event and good cause such as extraordinary travel, a medical emergency, or a scheduling conflict. Lawyers are expected to appear in person unless a medical, bereavement, or direct scheduling conflict applies. |
| Payment choices are narrow | Carlisle County's court page names cash, cashier's check, money order, and Pay online with ePay. It does not list personal checks or card payments at the counter. |
| Accessibility and parking details are not listed | The Carlisle County court page does not list courthouse accessibility or parking details. If mobility or entry logistics matter, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you go. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Carlisle County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating jointly owned property from assets that need court authority. If the Kentucky survivorship exemption under KRS 391.030 and paid preferred claims under KRS 396.095 cover what would otherwise pass through the estate, the spouse may ask to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. A co-owned home may still need deed and title review outside that petition. | Sunset organizes accounts, property information, and beneficiary details so the spouse can see whether Carlisle County filing is needed and what to bring to Bardwell. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate question under KRS 395.455 | Use the Bardwell mailing address, P.O. Box 337, Bardwell, KY 42023-0337, and call (270) 628-5425 before mailing originals or planning travel. Carlisle probate is heard only on the second and fourth Monday after the morning criminal and traffic session, and phone or video attendance requires a timely request and good cause. | Sunset helps identify accounts and prepare an estate settlement packet so the child can decide whether to file AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 or ask for appointment. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires full administration. File AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 in Bardwell, then use the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and certified appointment order to work with banks, buyers, and title companies. If a dispute becomes contested, it is filed as an original adversary proceeding in Carlisle Circuit Court under KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps gather asset information, generate the probate packet, and connect the family with a local probate attorney for sale authority and title questions. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Carlisle County | Filing office for Carlisle County estates. Provides forms, gives the current filing total under CR 3.03, and gives court-date information. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62, Bardwell, KY 42023. Mail: P.O. Box 337, Bardwell, KY 42023-0337. Phone: (270) 628-5425. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide AOC probate forms, including opening, inventory under KRS 395.250, dispense-with-administration under KRS 395.455, and closing forms. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews include Dispense with Administration and Probate Estate. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Kentucky Legal Aid | The civil legal aid program listed for Carlisle County in the Kentucky Court of Justice Region 1 list. Ask the program what help is available for your situation. | 270-782-1924. https://klaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal question service. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Referral resource for finding Kentucky lawyers. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property so families can begin estate settlement with a clearer picture of what exists.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you collect into an organized Carlisle County probate packet, including the local filing office, mailing address, payment notes, and the Kentucky AOC form path.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal help, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney who can advise on court filings, real estate, disputes, and closing.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find assets, and prepare for the next step without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Carlisle County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Carlisle County Courthouse, 985 U.S. Highway 62, Bardwell, KY 42023, or mail papers to P.O. Box 337, Bardwell, KY 42023-0337. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120, and venue is tied to the county where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140.
Is the Carlisle County courthouse in a town called Carlisle?
No. Carlisle County's courthouse city is Bardwell. The town of Carlisle, Kentucky, is in Nicholas County, not Carlisle County.
Which Carlisle County clerk handles probate?
Use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, phone (270) 628-5425. The separate Carlisle County Clerk is also at 985 U.S. Highway 62, but handles deeds, land records, motor vehicles, and elections, not probate filings.
How much does it cost to open a probate case in Carlisle 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. Carlisle 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.
Can I pay by card in Carlisle County?
Carlisle County's court page lists cash, cashier's check, and money order, and also links Pay online with ePay. It does not list personal checks or card payments at the counter, so call (270) 628-5425 before relying on another payment method.
Does Carlisle County have local probate forms?
Carlisle County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms; there is no separate Carlisle County probate form set. 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 e-file a Carlisle County probate case?
Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must electronically file eligible Kentucky probate papers. A self-represented filer may register for electronic filing, but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Bardwell.
When is probate heard in Carlisle County?
The 1st Judicial District local rules set Carlisle County's Probate, Civil, and Small Claims docket on the second and fourth Monday of the month, immediately after the 9 a.m. criminal and traffic session finishes. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk because dates can move for holidays, weather, health, safety, or another emergency.
Can I attend a Carlisle County probate hearing by phone or video?
The 1st Judicial District local rule allows a person to ask for phone or video attendance at least one business day before the court event and show good cause, such as extraordinary travel, a medical emergency, or a scheduling conflict elsewhere. Lawyers are expected to appear in person unless they have a medical, bereavement, or direct scheduling conflict. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 628-5425 about your specific hearing.
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.