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Lee County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Lee County detail |
|---|---|
| Court and filing office | Lee County District Court, probate division, through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. |
| Courthouse address | Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311. |
| Phone | (606) 464-8400. |
| Fax | (606) 464-0144. |
| 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. Lee 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 | Cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards are listed as accepted payment methods. A card fee applies. The Lee County page also links to ePay through the state online payment portal, and questions about payment for a probate filing should go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Forms | Lee County uses Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts forms, including 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. The Lee County page does not list a separate local probate packet. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Beattyville. |
| Court-date lookup | The Kentucky Court of Justice court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets lists Lee County. It is a court-date tool, not a full public docket or case file search. For account portal questions, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | No Lee County Zoom login is posted on the county page. Kentucky courts have statewide remote-court instructions, but for any remote or in-person question, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Lee County before the hearing. |
| Parking | Free two-hour parking is listed around the building. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Lee.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Lee County, make a list of the estate's assets, debts, real estate, account holders, likely beneficiaries and any will. The right estate settlement path depends on what must pass through court, who has priority to serve and whether anyone is likely to object.
Sunset's asset discovery can search 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts before they choose forms, pay the opening cost or ask the Lee County Office of Circuit Court Clerk for a court date. That preparation makes the Beattyville filing more complete and helps avoid multiple trips or mailings.
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 Lee County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Lee County courthouse in Beattyville.
Lee County District Court sits in the 23rd Judicial District with Estill and Owsley counties (KRS 24A.030). The shared district does not move a Lee County probate filing out of Lee County: the filing location remains the Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311, with mail sent to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311.
Beattyville is the county seat and the only incorporated city in Lee County. The court also serves Lee County's unincorporated communities. This page is about Lee County, Kentucky, not Lee County, South Carolina.
The jurisdiction process
- Inventory the practical picture before filing: locate the will, accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts and family contacts. Estate settlement moves faster when you know what property actually needs court authority.
- Choose the opening paper. Use AOC-805 to probate a will or ask for appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). Use 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 Beattyville. Lee County uses the statewide form set, including AOC-808 Financial Disclosure under KRS 395.015 when appointment is requested.
- File in Lee County at the Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311, or mail papers to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311. 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 Lee County, at the Lee County courthouse in Beattyville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Lee Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
- 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. Lee 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. Lee County lists cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards, with a card fee.
- Ask the clerk how the court date will be handled. The Lee County page does not list a probate hearing day. The Kentucky court-date lookup lists Lee County, but it is not a full case file search. For CourtNet or state account portal questions, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- Ask about remote participation before assuming. 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 Lee 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) 464-8400 and ask before you assume either way.
- If the court appoints you, get 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.
- After qualification, file the inventory and appraisement on AOC-841 within 90 days. The inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250.
- Administer and close the estate. Track creditor claims under KRS 396.011, pay valid expenses, handle any required tax paperwork, and close with AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when the estate qualifies.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Lee County
Lee County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Lee 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 Beattyville will also hand you paper copies.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for Probate of Will and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator, used to open a full estate under KRS 394.145. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification, the clerk-issued proof of appointment after the court appoints a personal representative. |
| AOC-808 | Financial Disclosure, used with an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to Dispense with Administration, used when asking for a KRS 395.455 order instead of appointment of an executor or administrator. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and Appraisement of Estate, due within 90 days after qualification and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of Estate, used for a settlement under KRS 395.610. |
| AOC-850 | Application for Informal Final Settlement, used when the closing requirements of KRS 395.605 are met. |
| AOC-860 | Affidavit for Probate Fee Exemption, a narrow fee exemption form tied to a line of duty death. |
Local nuance
Lee County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Second Floor filing office | The Office of Circuit Court Clerk is listed at the Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311. |
| Mailing option | Probate papers can be directed to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311, when you are not filing at the counter. |
| 23rd Judicial District | Lee County shares the 23rd Judicial District with Estill and Owsley counties (KRS 24A.030), but Lee County estate papers remain Lee County filings. |
| Payment methods | Lee County lists cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards. A card fee applies. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the exact probate total before filing because the opening filing fee is governed by CR 3.03 effective July 1, 2026, with possible local add-ons. |
| Parking note | Free two-hour parking is listed around the courthouse. |
| No posted probate schedule | The Lee County page does not list District Court probate motion days. Use the court-date lookup for dates and call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for current scheduling details. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Lee County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | File at the Lee County Courthouse in Beattyville if the decedent lived in Lee County. A KRS 395.455 petition to dispense with administration may fit a personal-property-only estate, but a home sale or title issue often requires opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. | Sunset helps organize assets, identify accounts and prepare the estate settlement packet before the spouse contacts the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate under KRS 395.455 | Mailing can go to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311. If the facts support a request to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455; otherwise use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. Ask the clerk about payment and any court date before travel. | Sunset helps locate accounts, assemble forms and plan whether paper filing, mailing, ePay and a local attorney make sense. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually means opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, then using the Certificate of Qualification on AOC-807 and letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 for banks and title companies. A contested dispute is filed in Lee Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps turn a difficult estate settlement into a checklist, gathers account information and connects the family with a Kentucky probate attorney if the sale or family issues need counsel. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Lee County | Filing office for Lee County probate matters. The office can provide forms, accept filings, give current cost information and provide court-date information. The office cannot give legal advice. | Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311. Mail: P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311. Phone: (606) 464-8400. Fax: (606) 464-0144. |
| 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. | 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 |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | The civil legal aid program listed for Lee County. Ask the program directly what help is available for your situation. | 866-277-5733. https://www.ardfky.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 lawyer referral information for people looking for a Kentucky attorney. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | The AOC's plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and forms for deadlines and bond under KRS 395.130 because the booklet predates the July 15, 2026 changes. | 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 look for accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property before a Lee County filing. That makes the first estate settlement decision more grounded and helps the personal representative avoid missed assets.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Kentucky probate packet using the right statewide AOC forms for the Lee County path, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 or AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 when a dispense-with-administration request fits.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a home sale, a dispute, a creditor issue under KRS 396.011 or questions about appointment, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, find assets, prepare forms and decide when professional help is needed without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Lee County, Kentucky?
File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Lee County, located at the Lee County Courthouse, 256 Main St., Second Floor, Beattyville, KY 41311. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311. Kentucky sends the estate to the District Court where the person lived at death (KRS 394.140), and Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120.
What phone number should I call for a Lee County probate filing?
Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 464-8400. The Lee County page lists one clerk phone number and does not list separate Circuit and District lines. Fax filings or questions may use (606) 464-0144 if the clerk tells you fax is appropriate.
How much does it cost to open probate in Lee 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. Lee 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.
Does Lee County have its own probate forms?
Lee County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms. The Lee County page does not list a separate local probate packet. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening a full estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for a request to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 for closing under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
Can I use a small-estate affidavit in Lee County?
No. Kentucky does not have a small-estate affidavit. What Kentucky has is a court petition to dispense with administration, form AOC-830, filed in Lee County District Court, which asks the judge to order assets transferred without appointing an executor or administrator at all (KRS 395.455).
Is electronic filing required for Lee County probate?
Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must e-file through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024. If you are handling the estate yourself, you may register as a self-represented filer, but you may still file paper documents with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Beattyville.
Can I look up a Lee County probate case online?
Kentucky does not publish a free public docket search for District Court probate cases. The Kentucky Court of Justice CourtNet system runs behind the state account portal, which requires an account, and the Administrative Office of the Courts says it does not provide trial-court case files. The court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets lists Lee County, but it is a court-date tool, not full case records. For status questions, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Beattyville.
Are Lee County probate hearings remote?
The Lee County page does not post a probate Zoom link. Kentucky courts have statewide remote-court instructions, but whether a Lee County District Court probate matter is in person or remote is handled through the court. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 464-8400 before you assume either way.
Do I have to travel to Beattyville for a Lee County estate?
Not every step necessarily starts with a trip. Papers can be mailed to P.O. Box E, Beattyville, KY 41311, and the county lists ePay for online payment access through the state portal. But hearings, defects, signatures, payment questions and remote appearance details should be checked with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you plan travel.
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.