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Jessamine County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Jessamine County District Court. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Jessamine County |
| Courthouse address | Jessamine County Court Complex, 107 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356 |
| Mailing | The court page does not publish a separate probate mailing address. Use the courthouse address or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before mailing papers. |
| Probate phone | (859) 887-1005, listed for District Court business. Probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. |
| Other office line | (859) 885-4531, listed for Circuit Court |
| Fax | (859) 887-0425 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 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. Jessamine 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. |
| County form set | Jessamine County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms and does not publish a separate county probate form set. |
| E-filing | Attorney filings in Kentucky probate case types use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate, intestate, or dispense-with-administration case must file electronically. Self-represented filers may register but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Court-date lookup | The county page links to the statewide no-login court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets. It is a court-date lookup, not a full probate case records search. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky courts have remote-court instructions, but Jessamine County does not publish probate Zoom login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 887-1005 before assuming a matter will be remote. |
| Payment notes | Cash, certified check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee. Cards are not accepted for bonds under KRS 395.130. Pay online with ePay. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Jessamine.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Jessamine County, make a list of the accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, funeral expenses, and likely heirs or beneficiaries. Good estate settlement starts with knowing what must pass through court and what may already transfer by title, beneficiary designation, or survivorship.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families find accounts before they prepare the probate packet, which is especially useful when the person lived in Jessamine County but used banks, employers, or investment accounts outside Nicholasville.
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 Jessamine County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Jessamine County courthouse in Nicholasville.
The same Jessamine County Court Complex serves Nicholasville, Wilmore, Keene, and unincorporated communities in the county, including Little Hickman, Logana, and Spears. Jessamine County is in the 13th Judicial District with Garrard and Lincoln counties (KRS 24A.030).
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 Jessamine County, at the Jessamine County courthouse in Nicholasville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Jessamine Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the right Kentucky AOC starting form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will and/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.
- Prepare the estate settlement packet before you go to the Jessamine County Court Complex. Include the will if there is one, the death certificate, the petition, the proposed order, any required waivers, and the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 on AOC-808.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 107 N. Main St. in Nicholasville, or have an attorney file through Kentucky eFiling. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate, intestate, or dispense-with-administration case must file electronically. Self-represented filers may file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- 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. Jessamine 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 Jessamine County's published payment methods. The office accepts cash, certified check, money order, and credit or debit cards with a fee. Cards are not accepted for bonds under KRS 395.130. If you are mailing payment, call first because the county page specifies certified check rather than a personal check.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about any required notice and the court date. The county page links to the statewide court-date lookup, but it is not a full probate case records search, and court scheduling details for Jessamine County probate are not published on the county page.
- Ask before assuming the hearing format. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but whether a particular Jessamine County District Court probate matter is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk is the contact for login information.
- After appointment, get proof of authority. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification on AOC-807, and Kentucky law also refers to the fiduciary's authority as letters of appointment (KRS 395.105). You may ask for formal letters in due form under seal (KRS 395.110).
- Administer the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 within ninety days after qualification, and remember that the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and do not distribute before the timing allowed by KRS 395.190.
- Close the estate settlement. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when that route fits, or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Jessamine County
Jessamine County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Jessamine County form set. AOC-805 opens the estate and cites KRS 394.145, AOC-830 asks the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 is the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 closes the estate. All are free at kycourts.gov, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholasville will also provide paper copies.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for probate of will and/or appointment of executor or administrator under KRS 394.145 |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure required with the application for appointment under KRS 395.015 |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification issued after appointment |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and appraisement filed 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
Jessamine County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use the District Court number for probate | The Jessamine County page lists (859) 885-4531 for Circuit Court and (859) 887-1005 for District Court. Because probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120, (859) 887-1005 is the probate-relevant number. |
| Checks must be certified | The county page lists cash, certified check, money order, and cards with a fee. If you plan to mail a filing fee, which is tied to CR 3.03 and effective July 1, 2026, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk first and do not assume a personal check will be accepted. |
| Cards are not accepted for bonds | The county page says cards are accepted with a fee but not for bonds. Kentucky bond rules changed effective July 15, 2026, and KRS 395.130 no longer requires a bond by default, but if the court orders one, plan payment accordingly. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Jessamine County path | Sunset support |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Confirm how title to the home passes, then file in Jessamine County only for assets that need District Court action under KRS 24A.120. If appointment is needed, use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. If the dispense-with-administration path fits, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize the estate settlement packet, and prepare questions for the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholasville. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Start by calling (859) 887-1005 before traveling. Kentucky does not use an out-of-court small estate affidavit. A family seeking a transfer without appointing an executor or administrator files AOC-830 in District Court under KRS 395.455. | Sunset helps gather asset information remotely, generate the probate packet, and connect the family with a Kentucky attorney when local appearance or title work is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | File in Jessamine County if the child lived there at death under KRS 394.140 and KRS 395.030. If a sale or title transfer requires authority, seek appointment through AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and obtain the Certificate of Qualification on AOC-807. | Sunset helps find accounts, organize debts and property information, and coordinate the estate settlement steps with a local probate attorney when real estate must be sold. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Jessamine County | Filing office for estates in Jessamine County. The office can provide forms, accept filings, and give current fee and court-date information. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Jessamine County Court Complex, 107 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356. District Court line: (859) 887-1005. Circuit Court line: (859) 885-4531. Fax: (859) 887-0425. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide AOC probate forms used in Jessamine County. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided A2J interviews, including Dispense with Administration and Probate Estate. AOC-830 still ties the dispense-with-administration process to KRS 395.455. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Legal Aid of the Bluegrass | Civil legal aid program listed for Jessamine County. Ask the program whether it can help with your type of probate issue. | 859-431-8200. https://lablaw.org |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide attorney referral resource for estate, title, and contested matters. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | AOC plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for deadlines and bond rules, including KRS 395.250 and KRS 395.130. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Kentucky probate attorney if there is a will contest under KRS 394.240, a dispute over who should serve, creditors under KRS 396.011, real estate to sell, missing heirs, tax questions, or a family disagreement that could move the matter from District Court to Circuit Court under KRS 24A.120. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank, investment, retirement, insurance, and other assets before they file in Jessamine County, so the estate settlement plan starts with a clear picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into a ready-to-review probate packet using the Kentucky AOC forms that apply in Jessamine County.
Find a local probate attorney. When real estate, disputes, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, or court appearances make the matter more complex, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement process, prepare documents, and get connected to help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Jessamine County?
File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Jessamine County, located in the Jessamine County Court Complex at 107 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, and venue usually follows where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140.
Which phone number should I use for Jessamine County probate?
Use (859) 887-1005. The county page lists that number for District Court, and probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120. The court also lists (859) 885-4531 for Circuit Court.
Can I e-file a Jessamine County probate case?
An attorney handling a Kentucky probate, intestate, or dispense-with-administration matter must use Kentucky eFiling for eligible filings since January 1, 2024. If you are self-represented, you may register for eFiling, but you may also file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholasville.
How much does it cost to open probate in Jessamine 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. Jessamine 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.
Does Jessamine County have its own probate forms?
Jessamine County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms and does not publish a separate 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 appear remotely for a Jessamine County probate hearing?
Do not assume either way. Kentucky courts have remote-court instructions, but Jessamine County does not publish probate login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 887-1005 to ask whether your District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 will be in person or remote.
Can I look up a Jessamine County probate case online?
The county page links to the statewide court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets. That tool is for court dates, not full probate case records. For a case-status question, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholasville.
Do I have to travel to Nicholasville to start probate?
If you are self-represented, paper filings go through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Nicholasville. Before traveling, call (859) 887-1005 to ask about forms, payment, court dates, and whether any hearing can be handled remotely through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
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.