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Henderson County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Henderson County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Henderson County District Court, sitting in probate. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Henderson County |
| Courthouse address | Henderson County Judicial Center, 5 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 42420 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675 |
| Phone | 270-826-2405 or 270-826-1566. For probate remote-appearance questions, call the District Court Judicial Services Specialist at 270-826-4755. |
| Fax | No fax number appears on Henderson County's Kentucky Court of Justice page. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before sending anything by fax. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 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. Henderson 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 county page lists ePay, a drop box beside the front entrance for local personal checks or money orders with no cash, and the in-person payment window for cash, money order, certified check, local personal check, credit card or debit card. Card payments include a processing fee. Henderson's page says bonds are paid in cash only with I.D.; ask the clerk what applies if the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. The county page does not add a separate Henderson County probate packet. |
| Electronic filing | Since January 1, 2024, attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Henderson. |
| Court-date information | The county page links the Kentucky Court of Justice court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets. Treat it as a court-date tool, not full probate case information. For case status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | Henderson District Court Division II probate hearings are ordinarily held by Zoom unless the court instructs an in-person appearance. The notice you receive carries the meeting details. Call the District Court Judicial Services Specialist at 270-826-4755 or the Office of Circuit Court Clerk with questions. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Henderson.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Henderson County, make a working list of the person's assets, debts, beneficiaries, addresses and titled property. Probate paperwork is easier when you know whether the estate needs appointment of a personal representative or whether a narrower estate settlement path may fit.
Sunset can help identify accounts and assets across 2,300 institutions before you choose forms or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. That gives you a clearer estate settlement plan before you pay the Henderson County filing cost, schedule a hearing or ask about a Zoom appearance.
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 Henderson County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Henderson County courthouse in Henderson.
The Henderson County filing location is the Henderson County Judicial Center, 5 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 42420. Mail filings to P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675. The court serves all of Henderson County, including Henderson, Corydon, Robards, Smith Mills and Niagara.
Henderson County is its own 51st Judicial District and 51st Judicial Circuit under KRS 24A.030. If a probate dispute becomes contested, Kentucky treats that as an original adversary proceeding in Henderson Circuit Court, not as an appeal from District Court (KRS 24A.120, KRS 394.240).
The jurisdiction process
- List the estate's assets, debts, titled property and family contacts before filing. If you need help finding accounts, do that first so the Henderson filing matches the estate.
- Choose the filing path and form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145), or AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms online or from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Henderson. A new application for appointment also uses the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015, commonly form AOC-808.
- File at the Henderson County Judicial Center, 5 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 42420, or mail the filing to P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675. Attorneys must e-file eligible probate papers through Kentucky eFiling because the attorney mandate has applied since January 1, 2024; self-represented filers may 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. Henderson 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 the payment method that fits the filing. Henderson lists ePay, drop-box payment by local personal check or money order with no cash, and in-person payment by cash, money order, certified check, local personal check, credit card or debit card. Henderson's page says bonds are paid in cash only with I.D.; ask the clerk what applies if the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130.
- Ask the clerk for the court date and follow the hearing notice. Henderson District Court Division II probate hearings are ordinarily held by Zoom unless the court instructs an in-person appearance. The notice you receive carries the specific meeting details, and probate remote-appearance questions go to 270-826-4755 or the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- After appointment, get the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. Kentucky also refers to letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 and formal letters under KRS 395.110, and banks or title companies may ask for the certificate and appointment order.
- Administer the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 within 90 days after qualification; KRS 395.250 says the inventory is confidential and filed under seal. Handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011 before closing.
- Close the estate using the Kentucky settlement form that fits the case. A formal settlement uses AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, and an informal final settlement uses AOC-850 under KRS 395.605.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Henderson County
Henderson County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Henderson County form set. You file form AOC-805 to open the estate (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 (KRS 395.610, KRS 395.605). All of them are free at kycourts.gov and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Henderson will also hand you paper copies.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Open an estate, probate a will or ask for appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure filed with an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification showing authority after appointment. |
| AOC-830 | Ask the District Court 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 | Formal settlement under KRS 395.610. |
| AOC-850 | Informal final settlement under KRS 395.605. |
Local nuance
Henderson County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do in Henderson County |
|---|---|
| Probate Zoom practice | Henderson District Court Division II probate hearings are ordinarily held by Zoom unless the court instructs an in-person appearance. Do not rely on an old meeting link. Use the hearing notice and call 270-826-4755 or the Office of Circuit Court Clerk with questions. |
| Dedicated remote contact | The county page directs probate remote-appearance questions to the District Court Judicial Services Specialist at 270-826-4755. |
| Drop-box payment | The drop box is to the left of the Henderson County Judicial Center's front entrance and is checked Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. The county page says to use a local personal check or money order, not cash, and include enough case information for the payment to be applied correctly. |
| In-person payment window | The payment window accepts cash, money order, certified check, local personal check, credit card and debit card. Card payments include a processing fee. |
| Bond payment note | Henderson's page says bonds are paid in cash only with I.D.; ask the clerk what applies if the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130. |
| Self-represented access | The Henderson office lists two Self-Representative Litigant portal stations for people handling paperwork without counsel. |
| Accessibility | The Judicial Center lists a ramp on the south side in front of the building, an elevator inside and designated Main Street parking for visitors with a disability parking permit. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with the deed, mortgage, account list and death certificate. If the estate has only personal property, a petition to dispense with administration may fit under KRS 395.455. If the home sale or title work requires appointment, file AOC-805 in Henderson County District Court under KRS 24A.120 and expect the probate hearing to follow the Zoom notice unless the court says otherwise. | Sunset helps organize the estate settlement, identify accounts, prepare the filing packet and connect the spouse with a Kentucky probate attorney if title work is complicated. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Use the Henderson mailing address, P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675, and call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about the court date. Kentucky does not use a bank affidavit for this path; AOC-830 asks the District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. Henderson's probate hearing practice may let you appear by Zoom unless the court instructs otherwise. | Sunset helps decide what assets exist before you choose AOC-830 or AOC-805, and helps reduce unnecessary travel by preparing questions for the clerk and the 270-826-4755 remote contact. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, then getting the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807, for banks and title companies. If the matter becomes contested, Kentucky sends the dispute to Henderson Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps gather assets and debts, generate the estate settlement packet, track the AOC-841 inventory duty under KRS 395.250 and connect the parent with a probate attorney for the sale. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Henderson County | Filing office for Henderson County estates. The office can provide forms, take filings, give the current amount due under CR 3.03 effective July 1, 2026, and give court-date information. It cannot give legal advice. | Henderson County Judicial Center, 5 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 42420; P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675; 270-826-2405 or 270-826-1566 |
| District Court Judicial Services Specialist | Published Henderson contact for probate remote-appearance questions. | 270-826-4755 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805, AOC-807, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846, AOC-850 and AOC-860. AOC-860 is the narrow probate fee exemption form for qualifying line-of-duty estates. | 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 |
| Kentucky Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed for Henderson County. Ask the program directly what help is available for your situation. | 270-782-1924 or 800-782-1924; https://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 | A plain-language AOC introduction to probate. Some deadline and bond statements predate the 2026 changes, including the current bond rule in KRS 395.130. | 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 bank, brokerage, insurance, retirement and other accounts so the Henderson County filing is based on a complete asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized estate settlement packet using the Kentucky AOC forms that fit the situation, including AOC-805, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846 and AOC-850 with the required KRS citations.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal advice, a home sale, help with creditor claims under KRS 396.011 or a contested matter under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, understand the Henderson County filing path and prepare for the clerk, court date and Zoom hearing without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Henderson County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Henderson County Judicial Center, 5 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 42420. Mail filings to P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What phone number should I call for a Henderson County probate case?
Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 270-826-2405 or 270-826-1566. For probate Zoom questions, call the District Court Judicial Services Specialist at 270-826-4755 or contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
How much does it cost to open probate in Henderson 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. Henderson 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 Henderson County probate costs online?
The Henderson County page lists ePay, a drop box for local personal checks or money orders with no cash, and in-person payment by cash, money order, certified check, local personal check, credit card or debit card. Card payments include a processing fee. Henderson's page says bonds are paid in cash only with I.D.; ask the clerk what applies if the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130.
Are Henderson County probate hearings remote?
Henderson District Court Division II probate hearings are ordinarily held by Zoom unless the court instructs an in-person appearance. The notice you receive carries the specific meeting details. Call 270-826-4755 or the Office of Circuit Court Clerk with questions.
Do attorneys have to e-file Henderson County probate cases?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. If you are self-represented, you may register for eFiling, but you may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Henderson.
Can I look up a Henderson County probate case online?
Kentucky does not provide a free public online search for full District Court probate case information. CourtNet requires an account through the state portal, and the Administrative Office of the Courts does not provide trial-court case information directly. The Henderson page links a court-date lookup, but for estate status you should contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Does Henderson County have its own probate forms?
Henderson County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. Use AOC-805 to open an estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 to request dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 for settlement under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
Do I have to travel to Henderson for probate if I live out of state?
You may be able to mail the filing to P.O. Box 675, Henderson, KY 42419-0675, and Henderson's probate hearing practice ordinarily uses Zoom unless the court instructs an in-person appearance. Confirm filing, payment and remote details with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before making travel plans.
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.