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LaRue County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | LaRue County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | LaRue County District Court. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for LaRue County |
| Courthouse address | LaRue County Courthouse Annex, 209 W. High St., Hodgenville, KY 42748 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 191, Hodgenville, KY 42748-0191 |
| Phone | (270) 358-3421 |
| Fax | (270) 358-3731 |
| Hours | Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| Cost to open | $80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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. LaRue 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. |
| Payment | Cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards. A card fee applies. Cash is required for bonds under KRS 395.130, probation fees and parole fees. |
| Local form set | LaRue County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. The county court page does not list a separate LaRue County probate packet. |
| E-filing status | Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate, intestate administration under KRS 395.030, or dispense-with-administration matter under KRS 395.455 must file electronically. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Court-date lookup | Kentucky's public docket generator at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date lookup with a not-official-docket caveat. For the status of a LaRue County estate, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote option | LaRue County's court page posts a District Court Zoom meeting for remote proceedings. Because Zoom details and hearing format can change, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before the hearing date. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/LaRue.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Hodgenville, make a working list of the person's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, funeral expenses and likely beneficiaries. Kentucky probate forms ask for more than the will: the opening packet can include a financial disclosure under KRS 395.015, and later administration requires an inventory under KRS 395.250.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across 2,300 institutions, so families can understand what may need court authority, what may pass outside probate, and whether a lawyer should be involved before papers are filed at the LaRue County Courthouse Annex.
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 LaRue County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the LaRue County Courthouse Annex in Hodgenville.
The LaRue County court page publishes one filing location: 209 W. High St., Hodgenville, with mail to P.O. Box 191. The same courthouse serves estates for people who lived in Hodgenville, White City, Tanner, Mount Sherman, Buffalo and other LaRue County communities.
LaRue County is in the 10th Judicial District with Hart County, KRS 24A.030. Probate remains a LaRue County District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 when the decedent's residence at death was in LaRue County.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the right opening path. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will and appointment of an executor or administrator, KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015. Use AOC-830 if you are asking the District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Prepare the Kentucky AOC forms before you go to the LaRue County Courthouse Annex. The opening packet may include the petition, the will if there is one, the death certificate, waivers if applicable, the AOC-808 financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015, and any proposed order.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for LaRue County at 209 W. High St., Hodgenville, or by mail to P.O. Box 191, Hodgenville, KY 42748-0191. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must use Kentucky eFiling for eligible probate filings, while a self-represented filer may still file on paper.
- Pay the opening cost. $80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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. LaRue 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.
- Ask the clerk's office how the hearing or order will be handled. The LaRue County court page posts a District Court Zoom meeting, but the Office of Circuit Court Clerk should confirm whether your probate matter under KRS 24A.120 will be heard remotely, heard in person, or handled by order.
- After appointment, get proof of authority. When the District Court appoints you, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807, and KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment.
- Administer the estate. A personal representative files the AOC-841 inventory under KRS 395.250, handles creditor claims under KRS 396.011, follows any bond order under KRS 395.130, and keeps enough documentation to support closing.
- Close the estate. 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. Estate settlement is not complete until the court accepts the closing paperwork and discharges the fiduciary if discharge is requested.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in LaRue County
LaRue County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate LaRue County form set. AOC-805 opens the estate under 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 or AOC-850 closes the estate under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for probate of will and appointment of executor or administrator, KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure statement filed with 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 filed under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-850 | Application for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of estate under KRS 395.610. |
You can get the statewide forms from the Kentucky Court of Justice forms page or from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hodgenville.
Local nuance
LaRue County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a LaRue County estate |
|---|---|
| District Court Zoom information is posted | LaRue County's court page posts a District Court Zoom meeting for remote proceedings. A probate matter under KRS 24A.120 that is allowed to proceed remotely would use District Court, not Circuit Court, but you should call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk to confirm the current access details and whether your hearing is remote. |
| The County Clerk is a different office | Probate papers are filed with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Courthouse Annex. The separate LaRue County Clerk has a wills page for the later county recording function after District Court acts, but that is not the office where a family starts a probate case. |
| District partner county | LaRue County shares the 10th Judicial District with Hart County, KRS 24A.030. That district context can affect court scheduling, so use the clerk's office in Hodgenville for current LaRue County dates. |
Recent updates
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely LaRue County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying what passed by deed or beneficiary designation and what still needs District Court authority under KRS 24A.120. If a court order is needed, file with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hodgenville. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, separate probate and non-probate property, and prepare an estate settlement plan before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the family is considering AOC-830, remember that Kentucky's small estate path is a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, not an affidavit to hand to a bank. Paper filings go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hodgenville unless an attorney is filing electronically. | Sunset helps gather account information, generate the Kentucky probate packet, and connect the family with local counsel if travel or signing logistics are difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires clear authority from the District Court under KRS 24A.120 and the correct personal representative paperwork. After appointment, the clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and authority is governed by KRS 395.105. | Sunset helps identify liens and accounts, coordinate the documents title companies ask for, and keep the estate settlement checklist moving. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, LaRue County | Filing office for LaRue County probate matters under KRS 24A.120. The clerk can provide forms and fee totals, but cannot give legal advice. | LaRue County Courthouse Annex, 209 W. High St., P.O. Box 191, Hodgenville, KY 42748; (270) 358-3421; fax (270) 358-3731 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide AOC probate forms, including AOC-805, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846 and AOC-850. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Free guided interviews, including Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455 and Probate Estate. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Legal Aid Society | Civil legal aid program listed for LaRue County. Ask the program whether it can help with your specific estate issue. | 502-584-1254; https://yourlegalaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Free online civil legal question service. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide attorney referral. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | AOC plain-language overview. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for deadlines, bond under KRS 395.130, inventory under KRS 395.250 and financial disclosure under KRS 395.015. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer makes sense when the will may be challenged, the estate owns real estate that must be sold, heirs disagree, creditor claims under KRS 396.011 are significant, tax questions are present, or an out-of-state family member needs help filing in Hodgenville. If the estate becomes contested, KRS 24A.120 sends the dispute to Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, and KRS 394.240 governs a will contest. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families build a clearer picture of bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, real estate and debts before the LaRue County filing starts.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset can help assemble the Kentucky forms and supporting information for estate settlement, including the opening petition, asset list and closing checklist.
Find a local probate attorney. When an estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court probate under KRS 24A.120.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement process, understand next steps, and decide what to file in LaRue County without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in LaRue County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for LaRue County at the LaRue County Courthouse Annex, 209 W. High St., Hodgenville, KY 42748. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 191, Hodgenville, KY 42748-0191. Probate is in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
How much does it cost to open a LaRue County probate case?
$80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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. LaRue 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.
Can I pay by card at the LaRue County clerk's office?
The LaRue County court page lists cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards, with a fee for cards. It also says cash is required for bonds under KRS 395.130, probation fees and parole fees.
Are there LaRue County probate forms?
LaRue County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms rather than a separate county packet. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
Do attorneys e-file probate in LaRue County?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling a Kentucky probate, intestate administration under KRS 395.030, or dispense-with-administration case under KRS 395.455 must file electronically. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hodgenville.
Can a LaRue County probate hearing be remote?
LaRue County's court page posts a District Court Zoom meeting for remote proceedings, and Zoom information can change. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before the hearing date to confirm the current details and whether your probate matter under KRS 24A.120 will be remote.
Can I look up a LaRue County probate case online?
Kentucky does not provide a free full public search for District Court probate case files. The public docket generator at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date lookup, not an official docket. To find out where a LaRue County estate stands, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Hodgenville.
Which clerk handles a will in LaRue County?
Start with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Courthouse Annex for probate under KRS 24A.120. The separate LaRue County Clerk has a later county recording role after District Court acts, but probate papers are not filed there.
Do I have to travel to Hodgenville to start probate?
If you are self-represented, you can file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk or use the mailing address, and you should call before mailing originals. If an attorney represents the estate, the attorney must use electronic filing for eligible probate filings since January 1, 2024.
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.