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Fulton County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Fulton County District Court, with probate matters filed through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. KRS 24A.120 gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate. |
| Courthouse address | Fulton County Courthouse, 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 198, Hickman, KY 42050-0198 |
| Phone | (270) 236-3944 |
| Fax | (270) 236-3729 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| Fee 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. Fulton 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 | The Fulton County court page lists cash, check and money order, plus Pay online with ePay. It does not list a counter card option. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. Fulton County does not publish a separate local probate form set. |
| Electronic filing | An attorney handling eligible Kentucky probate papers has to file electronically through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register, but may also file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman. |
| Court-date lookup | The county page links to the statewide no-login court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, with a not-an-official-docket caveat. For estate status, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | The 1st Judicial District local rule allows phone or video attendance only if the person asks the court at least one business day ahead and shows good cause. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before relying on remote attendance. |
| Accessibility | Elevator, ramps and equipped bathrooms. Parking is available at the building and across the street, with designated parking for those with disability parking permits. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Fulton.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path, make a practical list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, funeral bills and co-owned property. Fulton County uses the statewide Kentucky probate forms, but the right packet depends on what must actually pass through court.
Sunset's estate settlement tools help families search across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organize what belongs in the Fulton County filing. That asset picture can also tell you whether to ask about dispensing with administration under KRS 395.455 or opening a full 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 Fulton County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Fulton County Courthouse in Hickman.
Fulton County is in Kentucky's 1st Judicial District with Ballard, Carlisle and Hickman counties (KRS 24A.030). One published Fulton County filing location serves the county: 114 E. Wellington St. in Hickman, with mail directed to P.O. Box 198.
Do not confuse the courthouse city with the county name. Fulton County has two incorporated cities, Fulton and Hickman, and the courthouse is in Hickman, which is a city in Fulton County, not Hickman County.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the assets and debts first. The value and type of property determine whether the family files AOC-805 to open an estate or AOC-830 to ask the District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms. Fulton County uses the statewide forms, including AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment under KRS 394.145, AOC-808 financial disclosure under KRS 395.015, and any waiver, oath or bond form the court requires under KRS 395.130.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050, or mail the packet to P.O. Box 198, Hickman, KY 42050-0198. An attorney has to file eligible probate papers electronically since January 1, 2024; a self-represented filer may file on paper in Hickman.
- Pay the opening charge. $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. Fulton 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 Fulton's published probate docket as a planning point, not a guarantee. Fulton District Court lists Probate, Civil and Small Claims on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m.; court dates can move for holidays, weather, health, safety or other emergencies.
- If you want to attend by phone or video, ask the court at least one business day ahead and be ready to show 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.
- If the District Court appoints you, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form 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 through KRS 395.110.
- Administer the estate and close it. File the AOC-841 inventory within 90 days after qualifying under KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, distribute only when Kentucky law permits under KRS 395.190, and close with AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Fulton County
Fulton County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Fulton County form set. You file AOC-805 to open the estate or probate a will 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 or AOC-850 to close under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
The forms are available through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms catalogue, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman can provide paper forms. The clerk can provide forms, state the required payment amount and give court-date information, but the clerk cannot give legal advice.
Timeline
- Fulton District Court's Probate, Civil and Small Claims docket is the first and third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. This schedule appears in the 1st Judicial District local rules and on the Fulton County court page.
- If a probate matter becomes contested, KRS 24A.120 sends the dispute to Fulton Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, and KRS 394.240 governs the will contest path. Fulton County's page lists Circuit Civil and Circuit Criminal on the second and fourth Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
- The 1st Judicial District local rules say court dates may be changed or cancelled for extraordinary circumstances, including holidays, health, safety, weather or other emergencies. A cancelled proceeding is rescheduled to the next regular session for that division or to another date approved by the court and the parties.
- Before traveling to Hickman, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 236-3944 to confirm the date, time, payment total and whether any remote-attendance request has been addressed.
Local nuance
Fulton County-specific considerations
| Local issue | What it means |
|---|---|
| Courthouse city | The Fulton County Courthouse is in Hickman, Kentucky. Hickman is a city in Fulton County, not Hickman County, and the city of Fulton is a separate city in the same county. |
| Wednesday probate docket | Fulton District Court lists Probate, Civil and Small Claims on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. Confirm the date before travel because the local rules allow schedule changes for holidays or emergencies. |
| Remote attendance | Under the 1st Judicial District local rule, a person who wants to attend by phone or video has to ask at least one business day ahead and show good cause. Attorneys are expected to appear in person unless a medical, bereavement or direct scheduling conflict applies. |
| Payment options | The Fulton County court page lists cash, check, money order and Pay online with ePay. It does not list a counter card option. |
| Split geography | Fulton County is Kentucky's westernmost county and is split into two non-contiguous parts, with a detached river section reachable by road through Tennessee. That geography does not change the filing office: probate papers still go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman. |
| Two clerk offices | Probate papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. The separate Fulton County Clerk handles deeds and land records. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Fulton County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman. The spouse may need to discuss the KRS 391.030 exemption and the KRS 395.455 dispense with administration route, but a co-owned home may also require title review outside the transfer order. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and title issues before the family decides which estate settlement packet to file. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Mailing to P.O. Box 198, Hickman, KY 42050-0198 may be practical. Ask whether AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 fits, confirm the first or third Wednesday 9 a.m. docket, and ask about remote attendance before booking travel. | Sunset organizes the asset list, generates the form packet and helps the child decide what to ask the Fulton County clerk before filing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Plan for full administration with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, followed by the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807. If a dispute becomes contested, KRS 24A.120 sends it to Fulton Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, and KRS 394.240 governs a will contest. | Sunset helps locate assets, prepare the court packet and connect the parent with a local attorney if the sale or family dispute needs legal guidance. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Fulton County | Filing office for Fulton County estates. Provides forms, states payment amounts and gives court-date information, but cannot give legal advice. | Fulton County Courthouse, 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050; mail to P.O. Box 198, Hickman, KY 42050-0198; (270) 236-3944; fax (270) 236-3729 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide probate form catalogue used in Fulton County. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Free guided interviews for Dispense with Administration and Probate Estate topics. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Kentucky Legal Aid | The AOC Region 1 civil legal aid program listed for Fulton County. Ask directly whether your estate issue is within its services. | 270-782-1924; https://klaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Free online civil legal question service. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide lawyer referral list. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families build the asset picture before filing in Fulton County, including accounts, real estate, vehicles, insurance and debts that affect the estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Kentucky probate packet, with the statewide forms and local filing details for the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal judgment, a home sale, dispute support or court representation, Sunset helps connect you with a probate attorney who serves Fulton County families.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand the Fulton County filing steps and get connected with help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Fulton County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Fulton County Courthouse, 114 E. Wellington St., Hickman, KY 42050. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 198, Hickman, KY 42050-0198. Kentucky sends probate to District Court under KRS 24A.120, and venue usually follows where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140.
Is the Fulton County courthouse in the city of Fulton?
No. The Fulton County courthouse is in Hickman, Kentucky. The city of Fulton is a separate city in Fulton County, and Hickman the city is not Hickman County.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Fulton 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. Fulton 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 at the Fulton County clerk's counter?
The Fulton County court page lists cash, check and money order, plus Pay online with ePay. It does not list a counter card option, so call (270) 236-3944 before relying on a card payment.
When are probate matters heard in Fulton County?
Fulton District Court lists Probate, Civil and Small Claims on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 9 a.m. The 1st Judicial District local rules allow dates to change for holidays or emergencies, so confirm the date with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Can I attend a Fulton County probate hearing by phone or video?
Possibly, but not automatically. The 1st Judicial District local rule says a person seeking remote attendance must ask at least one business day before the court event and show good cause, such as extraordinary travel, a medical emergency or another court conflict. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the specific hearing.
Are there local Fulton County probate forms?
Fulton County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. There is no separate Fulton County 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 file electronically in Fulton County?
An attorney handling eligible Kentucky probate papers has to file electronically since January 1, 2024. A self-represented person may register for electronic filing, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman.
How do I look up a Fulton County probate date?
The Fulton County court page links to the statewide no-login court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, which carries a not-an-official-docket caveat. For the status of an estate or the next required filing, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hickman.
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.