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Johnson County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Johnson County detail |
|---|---|
| Court and filing office | Johnson County District Court, with papers filed through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Johnson County. KRS 24A.120 gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over Kentucky probate matters. |
| Courthouse address | Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240 |
| Mailing | Use the courthouse street address with the suite number. No separate mailing box appears on the Johnson County court page. |
| Phone | (606) 297-9567 |
| Fax | (606) 297-9573 |
| 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. Johnson 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, check, money order, and credit or debit card in person, with a card fee. A personal check must show a current address, two phone numbers, and the driver's license number of the person writing it. The county page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms only. No separate Johnson County probate form set appears on the Johnson County court page. |
| E-filing | Since January 1, 2024, attorney e-filing is required for eligible Kentucky probate filings. Self-represented filers may register, but may also file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville. |
| Case information | No free public District Court probate case search is published. A free court date lookup, not a full case file search, is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/. |
| Remote appearance | Johnson County posts Zoom details for Circuit Court civil motion hour only, not for District Court probate. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a probate matter will be in person or remote. |
| Accessibility | Designated disability parking on the sides of the building, ramp on the right side, and elevators inside. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Johnson.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Johnson County, make a practical list of accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, beneficiary designations, and assets that pass outside probate. That work drives whether you need an appointment in Johnson County District Court under KRS 24A.120 or whether a narrower court request may fit.
Sunset can help with that first estate settlement step by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you find into a cleaner probate packet for the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
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 Johnson County, at the Johnson County Judicial Center in Paintsville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Johnson 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 Johnson County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Johnson County Judicial Center in Paintsville. Johnson County is in the 24th Judicial District, shared with Lawrence and Martin counties (KRS 24A.030).
The jurisdiction process
- List the estate assets and debts, then decide what you are asking Johnson County District Court to do under KRS 24A.120. If you are asking for probate of a will or appointment of a personal representative, use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. If you are asking the court to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455.
- Prepare the statewide AOC forms that match the request. AOC-805 is the opening petition under KRS 394.145, AOC-808 is the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015, and AOC-830 is used for a dispense with administration request under KRS 395.455.
- File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Johnson County, Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240. Attorney filings that are eligible for e-filing must be submitted electronically since January 1, 2024; self-represented filers may file on paper at the clerk's office.
- 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. Johnson 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.
- Plan how to pay. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville takes cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card in person, with a card fee. A personal check must show a current address, two phone numbers, and the driver's license number of the person writing it. The county page also links Pay online with ePay.
- Ask the clerk how your hearing will be set. Johnson County's District Court schedule lists Probate at 9 a.m. Thursday, but you should confirm the date for your own case with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before traveling.
- Ask about appearance instructions. Johnson County posts Zoom information for Circuit Court civil motion hour, but not for District Court probate. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk to ask whether your probate hearing is in person or remote.
- After appointment, get your proof of authority. When the District Court appoints you, 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 the estate. A personal representative files the inventory on AOC-841 no later than 90 days after qualifying, and the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Creditor claims are handled under KRS 396.011, and distribution timing is governed by KRS 395.190.
- Close the estate settlement. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when that path fits, or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610 when a fuller accounting is needed.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Johnson County
Johnson County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. A separate Johnson County probate form set does not appear on the Johnson County court page.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for Probate of Will and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator, used to open many estates under KRS 394.145. |
| AOC-808 | Financial Disclosure for an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification, the clerk-issued proof of authority after appointment. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and Appraisement of Estate, due within 90 days after qualification and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-850 | Application for Informal Final Settlement under KRS 395.605. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of Estate for a settlement under KRS 395.610. |
Timeline
- Before filing, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 297-9567 to confirm the current Johnson County probate schedule and the amount due at filing under CR 3.03, effective July 1, 2026.
- Johnson County's District Court schedule lists Probate at 9 a.m. Thursday. Treat that as the local scheduling anchor, but confirm the exact date for your own case with the clerk.
- If an attorney files eligible probate papers, attorney e-filing has been required since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may still file paper papers at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
- If the court appoints a personal representative, ask for the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and certified appointment order before contacting banks, insurers, or a title company.
- After qualification, file the AOC-841 inventory within 90 days. The inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250.
- Move toward closing only after the estate is ready for settlement. AOC-850 is used for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605, and AOC-846 is used for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Local nuance
Johnson County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Thursday probate setting | The Johnson County District Court schedule lists Probate at 9 a.m. Thursday. Families can plan around that published schedule line, while still confirming the exact date for their own case with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Zoom is limited on the county page | Johnson County posts Zoom details for Circuit Court civil motion hour, but not for District Court probate. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a probate hearing will be remote. |
| Personal checks need identifying details | The Johnson County page says a personal check must show a current address, two phone numbers, and the driver's license number of the person writing it. Bring another payment method if that will be difficult. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming what passed by deed or beneficiary designation and what, if anything, needs Johnson County District Court action under KRS 24A.120. If a court filing is needed, file through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville and ask whether the Thursday 9 a.m. probate schedule applies to your hearing. | Sunset helps organize the estate settlement asset list, separate probate and nonprobate property, and generate a packet for the Paintsville filing office. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the family is considering a small estate request, Kentucky uses a court petition to dispense with administration, not a bank affidavit, and AOC-830 must be tied to KRS 395.455. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before traveling because Johnson County lists Probate at 9 a.m. Thursday but does not post probate Zoom instructions. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare the right form set, and connect you with a Kentucky probate attorney if local filing or travel is difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale often requires clear authority from Johnson County District Court under KRS 24A.120. After appointment, the clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and a certified appointment order that title companies commonly request. | Sunset helps build the estate settlement checklist, gather asset information for the attorney or title company, and coordinate next steps with local counsel. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Johnson County | Filing office for Johnson County estates. The clerk's office can provide forms, take filings, give current cost information under CR 3.03, effective July 1, 2026, and give court date information. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240; (606) 297-9567; fax (606) 297-9573 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-807, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, AOC-850 under KRS 395.605, and AOC-860. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Free guided interviews for self-represented people, including Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455 and Probate Estate interviews. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed for Johnson County. Ask the program directly what help may be available. | 866-277-5733; https://ardfky.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Income-eligible Kentuckians can post a civil legal question online for a volunteer Kentucky attorney to answer. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide referral resource for finding a Kentucky attorney when an estate involves a home sale, family conflict, or tax and title questions. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | A plain-language AOC introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for present deadlines and filing requirements. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider working with a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate includes real estate, a business, disagreement among heirs, a possible will dispute, creditor issues under KRS 396.011, tax questions, or a sale that needs clean title. Counsel can also help decide whether a Johnson County filing should seek appointment, a dispense with administration order under KRS 395.455, or another court order. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate financial accounts, insurance, investments, and other property so the Johnson County estate settlement starts with a clearer asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet using Kentucky's statewide AOC forms, ready for review before filing with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
Find a local probate attorney. When a home sale, creditor issue, family dispute, or court hearing needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court practice under KRS 24A.120.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement process, understand the next filing step, and get connected with help without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Johnson County?
File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Johnson County, Johnson County Judicial Center, 908 3rd St., Suite 109, Paintsville, KY 41240. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
Is probate filed with the Johnson County Clerk or the Office of Circuit Court Clerk?
Use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, even though the filing office is called the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
How much does it cost to open a Johnson County probate case?
$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. Johnson 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.
What payment methods does the Johnson County clerk take?
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville takes cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card in person, with a card fee. A personal check must show a current address, two phone numbers, and the driver's license number of the person writing it. The county page also links Pay online with ePay.
Does Johnson County have its own probate forms?
Johnson County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. AOC-805 is used for many opening petitions under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 is used for a dispense with administration request under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 is the inventory form under KRS 395.250, and AOC-850 or AOC-846 is used for settlement under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610.
Can I e-file a probate case in Johnson County?
Attorney e-filing for eligible Kentucky probate filings has been required since January 1, 2024. If you are self-represented, you may register for the Kentucky e-filing system, but you are not required to do so and may file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
When are probate hearings in Johnson County?
The Johnson County District Court schedule lists Probate at 9 a.m. Thursday. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 297-9567 to confirm the date and instructions for your own case.
Can I appear remotely for a Johnson County probate hearing?
Johnson County posts Zoom details for Circuit Court civil motion hour, but not for District Court probate. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming your probate hearing will be remote or in person.
Can I look up a Johnson County probate case online?
Kentucky does not publish a free public District Court probate case search. The guest portal is not a free case search, and the free no-login docket page is a court date lookup only. For case status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Paintsville.
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.