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Clark County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Clark County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Clark County District Court, probate division, under KRS 24A.120. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Clark County. |
| Courthouse address | Governor James Clark Judicial Center, 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. |
| Phone | District Court: 859-737-7141. Circuit Court: 859-737-7264. |
| Fax | (859) 737-7005. |
| 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. Clark 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. |
| Payment | Cash, personal check from Clark County residents, money order. Other checks accepted with office approval. Pay online with ePay. |
| Forms | Clark County uses Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. No separate Clark County form set was found on the court page. |
| e-filing | Attorneys must e-file eligible Kentucky probate filings through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper in Winchester. |
| Court-date lookup | The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/. It is a court-date tool, not full trial-court case access. |
| Case records | CourtNet runs behind a Kentucky Court of Justice login portal, and the Administrative Office of the Courts states that trial-court case records come from the county Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020. No Clark-specific login was found, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming whether a Clark County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 is in person or remote. |
| Accessibility | Ramp at the side door, elevators, equipped bathrooms, and designated parking for those with a disability parking permit. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clark.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Winchester, list the assets, debts, account numbers, real estate, vehicle titles, funeral expenses, and possible creditor claims under KRS 396.011. That inventory of the family's financial picture helps you choose whether the estate needs a full opening or a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
Sunset can support estate settlement before the court paperwork starts by helping identify accounts across 2,300 institutions. That asset discovery can make the Clark County filing cleaner, especially when you are mailing papers to the P.O. Box or coordinating from outside Kentucky.
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 Clark County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Clark County courthouse in Winchester.
Clark County probate filings are handled at the Governor James Clark Judicial Center, 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392, with mail sent to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. The court serves all of Clark County, including Winchester and unincorporated communities such as Trapp, Ford, Kiddville, and Pine Grove.
Clark County is in Kentucky's 25th Judicial District with Madison County under KRS 24A.030. The filing is still a Clark County District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Winchester.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the assets, debts, possible creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and whether the person lived in Clark County at death under KRS 394.140.
- Choose the opening paper. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator under KRS 394.145. Use AOC-830 if you are asking the District Court under KRS 24A.120 to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Include the required Kentucky forms for the path you choose. A full estate may include the financial disclosure AOC-808 under KRS 395.015, the oath, and any bond form only if the court requires bond under KRS 395.130.
- Get the forms from the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms catalogue or from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Winchester. Clark County uses the statewide AOC forms and does not publish a separate local probate packet.
- File at the Governor James Clark Judicial Center, 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392, or mail papers to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. Attorneys must e-file eligible probate papers since January 1, 2024, while self-represented filers may still file on paper.
- 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. Clark 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.
- Use Clark County's published payment options: cash, personal check from Clark County residents, or money order. Other checks need office approval, and online payment is through ePay.
- Call the District Court line, 859-737-7141, for probate questions under KRS 24A.120. The separate 859-737-7264 number is published as the Circuit Court line.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk whether any scheduled appearance will be in person or remote. Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Clark County does not publish a probate Zoom login.
- After appointment, use the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and any letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 to work with banks, title companies, and other institutions.
- File the inventory and appraisement AOC-841 no later than 90 days after qualification. Under KRS 395.250, the inventory is confidential and filed under seal.
- Administer the estate, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and close with the proper Kentucky settlement forms: AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Clark County
Clark County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Clark 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 Winchester will also hand you paper copies.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Open a probate estate, probate a will, or request appointment of an executor or administrator under KRS 394.145. |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure required with an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification, the clerk-issued authority document for the personal representative. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and appraisement, due within 90 days and filed under seal 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
Clark County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use the District Court line | Clark County publishes 859-737-7141 as the District Court line. Probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, so use that number for probate questions instead of the separate Circuit Court line. |
| Governor James Clark Judicial Center | The filing location is 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392, with mail to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. |
| Payment limits | Clark County lists cash, personal check from Clark County residents, and money order. Other checks require office approval, and ePay is available online. |
| County clerk site is a different office | The Clark County Clerk handles county clerk functions. Probate filings go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Clark County at the judicial center. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Clark County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | File in Winchester if the person lived in Clark County at death under KRS 394.140. A petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may fit a personal-property-focused estate, but a home sale or title issue often means opening an estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. | Sunset helps organize accounts, debts, and property information so the spouse can see whether estate settlement needs a full opening or a narrower court request. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Mail papers to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392, or ask about attorney e-filing. For a small estate request under KRS 395.455, AOC-830 is the Kentucky petition. If paying by check, remember Clark County limits personal checks to Clark County residents unless the office approves another check. | Sunset helps locate assets, assemble the probate packet, and reduce back-and-forth with the Winchester clerk's office. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually calls for a full estate opening with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. After appointment, the Certificate of Qualification AOC-807 and letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 help the personal representative work with banks and title companies. If a dispute becomes contested under KRS 24A.120, it is filed in Clark Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare the forms, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale or dispute makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Clark County | Filing office for Clark County estates. Can provide forms, accept filings, tell you the current amount due under CR 3.03 as of July 1, 2026, and give court-date information. Cannot give legal advice. | Governor James Clark Judicial Center, 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392. Mail: P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. District Court: 859-737-7141. Fax: (859) 737-7005. |
| 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 for the line of duty fee exemption. | 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 Clark County. Ask directly what help is available for your situation. | 866-277-5733. https://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 | Plain-language AOC guide to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current forms for deadlines, the inventory under KRS 395.250, and bond under KRS 395.130 because the guide predates the July 15, 2026 statutory changes. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate accounts, insurance, benefits, and other assets before the Clark County filing. A clearer asset list makes estate settlement easier and helps you decide what to file in Winchester.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into organized Kentucky probate paperwork, including the forms most families need for a District Court filing under KRS 24A.120.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a home sale, a dispute, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, or questions about appointment, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement process, organize tasks, and move through Clark County probate without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Clark County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Clark County at the Governor James Clark Judicial Center, 17 Cleveland Ave., Winchester, KY 40392, or mail papers to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, and venue is based on where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140.
Which phone number should I call for a Clark County probate question?
Call the District Court line at 859-737-7141. Clark County also publishes 859-737-7264 as the Circuit Court line, but probate starts in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
How much does it cost to open a Clark 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. Clark 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.
How can I pay the Clark County probate filing amount?
Clark County lists cash, personal check from Clark County residents, and money order. Other checks require office approval. The county page also lists online payment through ePay. The opening filing fee amount is governed by CR 3.03, effective July 1, 2026.
Does Clark County have its own probate forms?
Clark County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. Use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 to open an estate, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 for a petition to dispense with administration, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250 for the inventory, and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 to close.
Can I e-file a Clark County probate case?
Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024. If you are representing yourself, you may register for e-filing, but you may also file paper documents with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Winchester.
Can I look up a Clark County probate case online?
The Kentucky Court of Justice provides a court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, but it is not full trial-court case access. CourtNet runs behind a Kentucky Court of Justice login portal, and the Administrative Office of the Courts states that trial-court case records come from the county Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Can I appear remotely for a Clark County probate hearing?
Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020 and publish statewide remote-court instructions. Whether a Clark County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 is in person or remote is handled through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, and Clark County does not publish probate login details on its page.
Do I need to travel to Winchester if I live outside Kentucky?
Not always for filing, because papers can be mailed to P.O. Box 687, Winchester, KY 40392, and an attorney must e-file eligible probate papers since January 1, 2024. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 859-737-7141 before mailing payment or assuming whether any appearance can be handled remotely.
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.