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Jackson County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Jackson County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Jackson County District Court, sitting in probate under KRS 24A.120 |
| Courthouse | Jackson County Judicial Center, 100 First St., McKee, KY 40447 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 84, McKee, KY 40447 |
| Probate phone | District line: (606) 287-8651. Circuit line: (606) 287-7783. |
| Fax | (606) 287-3277 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| Filing fee | $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. Jackson 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 under KRS 453.060, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms apply. Jackson County's court page does not post a separate local probate packet. |
| E-filing | Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate case must file electronically. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Case lookup | CourtNet runs behind the Kentucky Court of Justice portal, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk is the practical contact for Jackson County case status. A free court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ includes Jackson County, but it is not a full case-file search. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky has statewide remote-court instructions, but Jackson County login details are not published centrally. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 287-8651 before assuming a hearing can be handled remotely. |
| Payments | Cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards, with a card fee, are accepted in person. The county page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Accessibility | Ramps to the building and elevators in the building. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Jackson.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in McKee, make a working list of the person's assets, debts, heirs, beneficiaries, and accounts. Estate settlement goes faster when you know whether the family needs a full appointment, a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, or only help collecting documents for the court.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions so families can find accounts before choosing a filing path. That local preparation matters in Jackson County because the clerk can provide forms and filing information, but cannot tell you what legal choice to make.
Which court handles jurisdiction
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 Jackson County, at the Jackson County Judicial Center in McKee. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Jackson Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
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 Jackson County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Jackson County Judicial Center in McKee.
Jackson County is in the 41st Judicial District with Clay and Leslie counties (KRS 24A.030). The McKee courthouse serves McKee and the rest of Jackson County.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the starting form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). Use AOC-830 if you are asking the judge to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455). If appointment is requested, include the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 on AOC-808.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Jackson County Judicial Center, 100 First St., McKee, KY 40447, or mail papers to P.O. Box 84, McKee, KY 40447. Probate is filed in District Court under KRS 24A.120, even though the filing office is the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- Pay the opening cost or confirm the current total before filing. $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. Jackson 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 under KRS 453.060, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file.
- Follow the clerk's instructions for any required notice, waivers, or hearing setting. Jackson County's court page does not publish a District Court probate schedule, so call the District line at (606) 287-8651 for court dates.
- Ask about remote access before the court date. 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 Jackson 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 (606) 287-8651 and ask before you assume either way.
- If the court appoints you, get the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. Kentucky law also refers to letters of appointment under KRS 395.105, and banks or title companies may ask for a certified appointment order together with the Certificate of Qualification.
- Administer the estate. File the inventory within 90 days after qualifying, and remember that the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011. Kentucky no longer requires bond by default, but the court can order one under KRS 395.130.
- Close the estate with the correct settlement form. AOC-850 is used for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when that route fits. AOC-846 is used for settlement of estate under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Jackson County
Jackson County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. Jackson County's court page does not post a separate local probate packet. You file AOC-805 to open an estate for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 if you are asking the District Court to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 for the inventory (KRS 395.250), and AOC-846 or AOC-850 to close, depending on the settlement route (KRS 395.610, KRS 395.605).
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for Probate of Will, and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator (KRS 394.145) |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure for appointment of a personal representative (KRS 395.015) |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification after appointment |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455) |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and Appraisement of Estate, due within 90 days and filed under seal (KRS 395.250) |
| AOC-850 | Application for informal final settlement (KRS 395.605) |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of Estate (KRS 395.610) |
Local nuance
Jackson County-specific considerations
Do not confuse Jackson County with the town of Jackson. The town of Jackson is the seat of Breathitt County. Jackson County probate filings go to the Jackson County Judicial Center in McKee.
The public phone listing for Jackson County separates Circuit and District lines. Because probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, call the District line, (606) 287-8651, for probate filing questions. The Circuit line, (606) 287-7783, is also published for the courthouse.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Jackson County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by identifying which assets actually need District Court action in McKee under KRS 24A.120. If no appointment is needed, ask whether a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 fits the assets that remain. | Sunset helps organize accounts, ownership details, and a filing packet so the spouse can ask focused questions before going to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call the Jackson County District line before traveling. Kentucky does not use an affidavit handed to a bank. The court route is a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, or a full estate filing if appointment is needed. | Sunset helps the child gather balances, debts, death certificate information, and forms before mailing papers or planning a trip to McKee. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A real estate sale often requires appointment of an executor or administrator through Jackson County District Court under KRS 24A.120. After appointment, the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and appointment order are the authority documents third parties ask to see. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare the probate packet, and connect the parent with a local probate attorney when a house sale or title issue needs legal work. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County Office of Circuit Court Clerk | Provides filing counter information, court dates, fee totals under CR 3.03 effective July 1, 2026, and copies of court forms. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | District line: (606) 287-8651. Jackson County Judicial Center, 100 First St., McKee, KY 40447. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice self-help portal | Offers guided interviews for Probate Estate and Dispense with Administration filings. A petition to dispense with administration is the Kentucky court process under KRS 395.455. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | Explains general Kentucky probate terms and the role of the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Use current statutes and forms where rules changed in 2026. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program for Jackson County. Ask the program directly what help may be available for your situation. | (866) 277-5733, https://www.ardfky.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Helps families look for a Kentucky lawyer when the estate has a dispute, real estate sale, tax issue, or other legal question. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
When to hire an attorney
Consider talking with a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate may be contested under KRS 24A.120, if a will contest could be filed under KRS 394.240, if real estate must be sold, if beneficiaries disagree, or if you are unsure whether to request appointment or a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate accounts, balances, property details, and debts before filing. A clear asset picture makes estate settlement in Jackson County easier to plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for Kentucky AOC forms and helps you prepare for filing with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in McKee.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, a contested matter under KRS 24A.120, or help with a house sale, Sunset can connect you with a probate attorney who serves Kentucky families.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to move from uncertainty to a practical estate settlement plan without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Jackson County resident?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Jackson County Judicial Center, 100 First St., McKee, KY 40447. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120, and venue is based on where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140. If there is no will, the same court handles administration under KRS 395.030.
Is Jackson County probate filed in McKee or in Jackson, Kentucky?
File in McKee. Jackson County's courthouse is the Jackson County Judicial Center in McKee. The town of Jackson is in Breathitt County, so do not use the town name to choose the courthouse.
Can I e-file a Jackson County probate case?
Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate case must use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling, but may also file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in McKee.
What phone number should I call for a Jackson County probate filing?
Call the District line at (606) 287-8651 because probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. The courthouse also publishes a Circuit line at (606) 287-7783.
Does Jackson County publish probate hearing days?
Jackson County's court page does not publish a District Court probate schedule. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 287-8651 for court dates before you travel to McKee.
Can I appear remotely for a Jackson County probate hearing?
Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings since March 2020, and statewide remote-court instructions tell parties to contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the county where the hearing is scheduled. For Jackson County, call (606) 287-8651 before assuming the matter will be remote or in person.
Can I look up a Jackson County probate case online?
Kentucky does not publish a free full case-file search for District Court probate cases. CourtNet runs behind the Kentucky Court of Justice portal, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk is the practical contact for Jackson County case status. A no-login court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ includes Jackson County, but it is not a full case-file search.
What probate forms does Jackson County use?
Jackson County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening a probate estate (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 for a petition to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 for the inventory (KRS 395.250), AOC-850 for informal final settlement (KRS 395.605), and AOC-846 for settlement of estate (KRS 395.610).
How much does it cost to open probate in Jackson 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. Jackson 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 under KRS 453.060, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file.
Does Jackson County have a small estate affidavit?
No. Kentucky uses a court petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, not an affidavit handed to a bank. File AOC-830 in Jackson County District Court if you are asking for that route (KRS 395.455).
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.