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Magoffin County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Magoffin County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Magoffin County District Court, sitting in probate under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Magoffin County |
| Courthouse address | Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 E. Maple St., Salyersville, KY 41465 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 147, Salyersville, KY 41465-0147 |
| Phone | 606-349-2215 and 606-349-4050. The court page lists both as office lines and does not label either one as probate-specific. |
| Fax | 606-349-2209 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is listed. |
| 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. Magoffin 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 card and debit card, with a card fee. Cash is required for bond if a bond is ordered under KRS 395.130. Pay online with ePay is linked from the county court page. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms apply. Magoffin County's court page does not list a separate county probate form set. |
| Electronic filing | Since January 1, 2024, attorneys must e-file eligible Kentucky probate papers. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville. |
| Court-date lookup | A free no-login court-date lookup is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/. It is not a full case-record search. |
| Case status | CourtNet runs behind the state account portal, and trial-court case records are requested through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case is handled. |
| Remote court | Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings since March 2020, but Magoffin County posts no local probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a matter can be heard remotely. |
| Parking and access | Parking is behind the building, with designated parking for those with a disability parking permit. Ramps are on both sides of the building entrance. Call ahead if you need assistance. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Magoffin.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Salyersville, make a working list of the person's accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, funeral expenses and any property that already passes outside probate. Estate settlement is much easier when you know whether the family needs a full appointment or a narrower court order.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help find accounts before you choose the Magoffin County filing path. That preparation also helps you call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk with concrete questions about forms, payment and the next court date.
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 Magoffin County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Magoffin County Justice Center in Salyersville.
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk lists one Magoffin County location: 100 E. Maple St., Salyersville, with mail to P.O. Box 147, Salyersville, KY 41465-0147. That one courthouse serves estates for people who lived anywhere in Magoffin County.
Magoffin County is in the 36th Judicial District with Knott County (KRS 24A.030). The shared district context matters for scheduling, but Magoffin County's court page does not list Magoffin probate session days.
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm the local forum. 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 Magoffin County, at the Magoffin County courthouse in Salyersville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Magoffin Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
- Choose the right statewide form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145), or use AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. If appointment is requested, the current form set also includes the financial disclosure form AOC-808 under KRS 395.015.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. File at the Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 E. Maple St., Salyersville, KY 41465, or mail to P.O. Box 147, Salyersville, KY 41465-0147. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must e-file eligible probate papers; a self-represented filer may register for e-filing but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville.
- 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. Magoffin 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.
- Use the local payment options. Magoffin County lists cash, check, money order, credit card and debit card, with a card fee. The court page also says cash is required for bond if a bond is ordered under KRS 395.130, and it links to ePay.
- Watch for the court date and notice. Magoffin County's court page does not list a probate docket or local hearing days. Use the court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ for court dates, and call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 606-349-2215 if you need the status of a Magoffin County estate.
- Ask before assuming a remote appearance. Kentucky courts have held some proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but Magoffin County posts no probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you assume that a Magoffin County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 can be handled remotely.
- Get proof of authority if appointed. 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. Kentucky law also lets you ask for formal letters in due form under seal (KRS 395.110), and KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment.
- Administer and close the estate. After qualification, file the inventory and appraisement on AOC-841 within 90 days under KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and close through the appropriate settlement process, such as AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Magoffin County
Magoffin County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Magoffin County form set on the county court page. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville can provide the forms, and the same forms are available through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms page.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for probate of will and/or appointment of executor or administrator (KRS 394.145) |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure for an appointment request (KRS 395.015) |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification issued after appointment |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455) |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and appraisement of estate, 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
Magoffin County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two clerk offices are on Maple Street | Probate filings go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 E. Maple St. The separate Magoffin County Clerk office on East Maple Street handles county clerk business such as land records and vehicle titles, not District Court probate under KRS 24A.120. |
| Two office phone lines are listed | The Magoffin County court page lists 606-349-2215 and 606-349-4050 under the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, but it does not label them by division. Use either office line and ask for the probate filing desk. |
| Access notes are practical | The court page lists parking behind the building, designated parking for those with a disability parking permit, ramps on both sides of the entrance and a call-ahead instruction if you need assistance. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Magoffin County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating the home, accounts and debts before filing. If a District Court filing under KRS 24A.120 is needed, use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville and ask whether the estate needs appointment on AOC-805 (KRS 394.145) or a petition to dispense with administration on AOC-830 (KRS 395.455). | Sunset helps organize the asset list, identify accounts, prepare the estate settlement packet and connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney if title or debt questions need legal advice. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Kentucky does not have a small-estate affidavit. For a qualifying family request, AOC-830 asks Magoffin County District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. A self-represented filer may still file on paper, including by mail to the Salyersville P.O. box, and should call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about hearing or remote-court expectations. | Sunset helps the out-of-state child collect account information before filing, generate the forms, track the estate settlement checklist and decide whether local counsel should appear. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Plan for a full administration if a personal representative must sign estate documents. File through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville, and if appointed, obtain the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, plus the appointment order that banks and title companies ask to see. | Sunset helps find accounts, assemble the probate packet, organize title-company requests and connect the parent with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney for sale-related questions. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | Contact | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Magoffin County | Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 E. Maple St., Salyersville, KY 41465; mail to P.O. Box 147, Salyersville, KY 41465-0147; 606-349-2215; fax 606-349-2209 | The filing office for Magoffin County estates. The office can provide legal forms, tell you the current cost to file under CR 3.03 effective July 1, 2026, and tell you how to check court dates. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx | Statewide probate forms, including AOC-805, AOC-807, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846 and AOC-850. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky | Free guided interviews, including Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455 and Probate Estate. |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | 866-277-5733; https://ardfky.org/ | The civil legal aid program listed for Magoffin County. Ask the program what types of help it can provide. |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ | Online civil legal questions answered by volunteer Kentucky attorneys. |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv | Statewide lawyer referral information for people who need a Kentucky attorney. |
When to hire an attorney
A lawyer is especially useful if the estate includes a home that must be sold, unclear debts, beneficiaries who disagree, a contested District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120, a will contest under KRS 394.240, or an out-of-state family member who cannot easily travel to Salyersville. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk can provide forms but cannot give legal advice. Sunset connects you to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families look for bank, brokerage, retirement and insurance accounts before they file. That makes estate settlement in Magoffin County more organized from the first call to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into a Kentucky probate packet using the statewide AOC forms that fit the filing path, such as AOC-805 for appointment or AOC-830 for dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court probate under KRS 24A.120 and local filing practice in Salyersville.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, prepare documents and decide what help they need without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Magoffin County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Magoffin County Justice Center, 100 E. Maple St., Salyersville, KY 41465. Mail goes to P.O. Box 147, Salyersville, KY 41465-0147. Kentucky probate is heard in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
Which clerk do I use on Maple Street in Salyersville?
Use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Magoffin County Justice Center for District Court probate under KRS 24A.120. The separate Magoffin County Clerk office on East Maple Street is a different office and does not handle probate filings.
How much does it cost to open a probate case in Magoffin 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. Magoffin 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.
Can I pay by card at the Magoffin County Justice Center?
Yes. The Magoffin County court page lists cash, check, money order, credit card and debit card, with a card fee. It also says cash is required for bond if a bond is ordered under KRS 395.130, and it links to ePay.
Does Magoffin County have its own probate forms?
Magoffin County's court page does not list a separate local probate form set. Use Kentucky's statewide AOC forms, including AOC-805 for appointment (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 for the inventory (KRS 395.250), and AOC-846 or AOC-850 for settlement under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
Do attorneys have to e-file probate papers in Magoffin County?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate, intestate or dispense-with-administration filing must e-file. A self-represented filer may register for e-filing but is not required to do so and may still file paper documents with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Salyersville.
Can I appear remotely for a Magoffin County probate hearing?
Maybe, but do not assume it. Kentucky courts have used Zoom for some proceedings since March 2020, but Magoffin County posts no probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you assume a Magoffin County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 can be handled remotely.
How do I look up a Magoffin County probate case or court date?
Kentucky does not publish a free public docket search for District Court probate cases. A free no-login court-date lookup is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, but it is only a court-date lookup. CourtNet runs behind the state account portal, and trial-court case records are requested through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the case is handled.
Is there a small-estate affidavit in Magoffin 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 Magoffin County District Court, which asks the judge to order the assets transferred without appointing an executor or administrator at all (KRS 395.455). The surviving spouse or children exemption is governed by KRS 391.030.
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.