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Daviess County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Daviess County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Daviess County District Court, which handles probate under KRS 24A.120(2). |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Daviess County. |
| Courthouse address | Holbrook Judicial Center, 100 E. 2nd St., Owensboro. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277. |
| Phone | Probate line: (270) 687-7207. Main desk: (270) 687-7333. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., central time. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Check the court holiday calendar before traveling. |
| 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. Daviess 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, money order, certified check, cashier's check, and credit or debit cards are listed by the court. A personal check is listed only for Daviess County residents. Card payments carry a fee, but the amount is not published. |
| Local forms | No separate Daviess County probate form set is published. Daviess County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. |
| Electronic filing | Required for attorneys since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register for the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system but may still file on paper in Owensboro. |
| Court-date lookup | The Kentucky Court of Justice publishes a free court-date lookup that includes Daviess County and states that it is not an official docket. For the status of an estate, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 687-7207. |
| Remote appearance | Daviess County links the statewide remote-court instructions and does not post local login information. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a hearing will be in person or remote. |
| Parking and access | Free two-hour garage parking at 112 Daviess St. All-day parking is listed at the 414 W. 2nd St. garage, four blocks from the building, with the first two hours free. The court lists an elevator on the east side of the building and equipped bathrooms. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Daviess.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Owensboro, make a working list of the accounts, debts, vehicles, real property, beneficiary designations, and bills. Kentucky routes depend on what must pass through court, so a clear asset picture keeps estate settlement from starting in the wrong lane.
Sunset can search across 2,300 institutions to help identify accounts and assets before you prepare the Daviess County filing packet. That makes the first conversation with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, or with a probate attorney, more concrete.
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 Daviess County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Holbrook Judicial Center in Owensboro.
Daviess County includes Owensboro, Whitesville, and communities such as Maceo, Masonville, Philpot, Sorgho, Utica, West Louisville, and Yelvington. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk publishes one court location for estate filings: the Holbrook Judicial Center at 100 E. 2nd St. in Owensboro.
Daviess County is the Sixth Judicial District by itself: KRS 24A.030 lists the Sixth Judicial District as Daviess. The county's District Court serves this county from Owensboro, but the court does not publish which division will hear a probate matter or when a probate matter will be called.
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts, likely heirs or beneficiaries, and any will before filing. Estate settlement in Daviess County starts with knowing what must be transferred and whether a court appointment is needed.
- Choose the Kentucky AOC form that matches the filing. AOC-805 is used to ask for probate of a will and/or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). AOC-830 is used when asking the District Court to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455).
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Holbrook Judicial Center, 100 E. 2nd St., Owensboro, or mail the papers to P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277. 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 Daviess County at the Holbrook Judicial Center in Owensboro. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Daviess Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
- Pay the opening cost or call first for the exact total. $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. Daviess 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 a payment method the Daviess County office lists. The office lists cash, money order, certified check, cashier's check, and credit or debit cards. A personal check is listed only for Daviess County residents, so an out-of-county filer should plan another method. The court page also lists Pay online with ePay, but you should ask the clerk what that link covers before relying on it for an estate filing.
- Ask the probate counter about scheduling. Daviess County does not publish a probate docket or motion-day schedule on its court page, so court dates come from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 687-7207.
- Ask before assuming remote access. 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 Daviess 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) 687-7207 and ask before you assume either way.
- If the District Court appoints you, get the authority document. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807, showing that the appointment order is in full force and effect. That certificate, together with a certified copy of the order appointing you, is what banks and title companies accept. Kentucky law also lets you ask the clerk for formal letters in due form under seal (KRS 395.110), and KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 as required by KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and use the correct closing form when ready: AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Daviess County
Daviess County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Daviess County form set. You file AOC-805 to open the estate or ask for appointment (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 for the inventory (KRS 395.250), and AOC-846 or AOC-850 to close under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
The forms are free through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms catalogue. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Owensboro can also provide paper copies, but the clerk cannot give legal advice or decide which option is best for the estate.
Local nuance
Daviess County-specific considerations
- Use the probate line. Daviess County publishes a direct probate number, (270) 687-7207, separate from the main desk at (270) 687-7333.
- Go to the Holbrook Judicial Center. Probate filings go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 100 E. 2nd St. The Daviess County Courthouse at 212 Saint Ann Street is the county government building, where the separate Daviess County Clerk handles deeds, land records, vehicles, and elections rather than estate filings.
- Plan payment if you are not local. A personal check is listed only for Daviess County residents. Out-of-county filers should plan on a money order, certified check, cashier's check, card, or a payment method the clerk says is available.
- Daviess is its own judicial district. KRS 24A.030 lists the Sixth Judicial District as Daviess, so the District Court handling the estate sits in Owensboro and serves this county.
- Use the court's parking and access notes. The court lists two-hour garage parking at 112 Daviess St., all-day parking at 414 W. 2nd St. with the first two hours free, an elevator on the east side of the building, and equipped bathrooms.
- Remember the time zone. Owensboro is on central time, while Kentucky statewide eFiling instructions state filing deadlines in eastern time.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Daviess County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Holbrook Judicial Center in Owensboro. If court action is needed for assets outside the co-owned home, the Kentucky form choice depends on what must pass through the estate and whether dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 is available. A Daviess County resident may use a personal check if the clerk accepts it for that filing. | Sunset helps identify accounts and assets before the spouse decides whether the estate needs an appointment, a dispense-with-administration petition, or attorney review. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a modest estate | Mailing may be available through P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277, but call (270) 687-7207 before sending original papers or payment. A personal check is listed only for Daviess County residents, so plan another payment method. A self-represented filer may still file on paper; an attorney must use eFiling beginning January 1, 2024. | Sunset can organize the asset list, generate a filing packet, and help the child decide whether a local attorney should handle the Owensboro filing. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | A sale of real property usually means the family needs an appointed personal representative and the AOC-805 path in District Court under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.145. After appointment, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and a certified order, which title companies use to see authority. | Sunset helps gather the account and property picture, prepare the probate packet, and connect the parent with a Daviess County probate attorney when a sale or dispute makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Daviess County | Filing office for Daviess County estates. The clerk can provide probate forms, tell you the current filing total, and give court-date information, but cannot give legal advice. | Holbrook Judicial Center, 100 E. 2nd St., Owensboro. Mail: P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277. Probate line: (270) 687-7207. Main desk: (270) 687-7333. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide AOC probate forms, 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 users, including Dispense with Administration and Probate Estate interviews through A2J.org. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx |
| Kentucky Legal Aid, Owensboro office | Civil legal aid program serving Daviess County. Ask the program directly whether your estate issue is within its services. | 117 West Second Street, Owensboro, KY 42303. Owensboro office: (270) 683-4585. Program line: 270-782-1924 or 800-782-1924. Intake: (270) 782-5740. https://www.klaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal questions answered by volunteer Kentucky attorneys for eligible users. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Referral information for finding a Kentucky attorney who takes estate work. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | Plain-language Administrative Office of the Courts introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for deadlines and bond rules under KRS 395.130. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the estate includes real property to sell, disagreement among heirs or beneficiaries, creditor problems, a possible will contest, or uncertainty about whether the Daviess County filing should seek appointment or dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. If the matter becomes contested, KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240 send the dispute to Daviess Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, which is a strong reason to get counsel. Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families build a clearer inventory of bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, real property, debts, and other items before filing in Daviess County. A better asset picture makes estate settlement faster and reduces the chance of missing something important.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset can help assemble the information needed for the Kentucky AOC forms used in Daviess County, including the opening petition, appointment materials, inventory information, and closing documents.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Daviess County estate involves real property, a dispute, creditor issues, or a court hearing, Sunset can help connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney who can take the next step.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand the next filing step, and decide whether they need legal help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Daviess County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Holbrook Judicial Center, 100 E. 2nd St., Owensboro. Mail goes to P.O. Box 277, Owensboro, KY 42302-0277. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What phone number should I call for a Daviess County estate?
Call the probate line at (270) 687-7207. The main desk number is (270) 687-7333, but the court publishes a separate probate number for estate questions.
How much does it cost to open probate in Daviess 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. Daviess 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 Daviess County probate filing cost?
The court lists cash, money order, certified check, cashier's check, and credit or debit cards. A personal check is listed only for Daviess County residents. Card payments carry a fee, but the amount is not published, so ask before paying.
Are there Daviess County probate forms?
Daviess County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms, not a separate county packet. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening an estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for 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.
Can I e-file a Daviess County probate case?
An attorney handling a Kentucky probate filing must use eFiling for eligible documents beginning January 1, 2024. If you are self-represented, you may register for the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system, but you may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Owensboro.
When will my Daviess County probate case be heard?
The Daviess County court page does not publish probate hearing days or a motion schedule. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 687-7207 when your matter will be called.
Can I appear by phone or video in Daviess County probate?
Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings since March 2020, and the statewide instructions say to contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for event-specific login information. Daviess County does not post local login information, so call (270) 687-7207 before assuming the hearing format.
Can I look up a Daviess County estate online?
Kentucky does not provide a free public case-search page for District Court probate cases. The Kentucky Court of Justice does publish a free court-date lookup that includes Daviess County and says it is not an official docket. For where an estate stands, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 687-7207.
Which building do I go to in Owensboro?
Go to the Holbrook Judicial Center at 100 E. 2nd St. for the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. The Daviess County Courthouse at 212 Saint Ann Street is a separate county government building and is not where probate papers are filed.
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.