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Martin County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Martin County District Court. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter: KRS 24A.120(2) gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Martin County |
| Courthouse address | Martin County Courthouse, 14 Court St., Inez, KY 41224 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 430, Inez, KY 41224-0430 |
| Phone | (606) 298-3508 |
| Fax | (606) 298-4202 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is posted on the Martin County court page. |
| Cost to open | $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. Martin 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 card and debit card are listed. A card fee applies. Cash is required for bond, if the court orders one under KRS 395.130, and supervision fees. The county page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. The Martin County court page does not publish a separate Martin County probate form set. |
| Attorney eFiling | Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate, intestate, or petition to dispense with administration case must file electronically. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Case access | CourtNet is behind a Kentucky Court of Justice account login, and the Administrative Office of the Courts does not provide trial-court case files. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for estate status. A separate no-login court-date lookup is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ and should be treated only as a court-date lookup. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings since March 2020, but Martin County does not post probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a matter is in person or remote. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Martin.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Martin County, make a practical list of what the person owned, what was owed, whether there is a will, and whether any asset passes outside probate. That first inventory of facts shapes whether you are asking for appointment of a personal representative or asking the District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
Sunset can support estate settlement by helping families search across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organize the information needed for the Kentucky probate packet. In Martin County, that preparation matters because the Probate Division has an informal docket for uncontested matters, but the petition still needs the right AOC forms and local details.
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 for an intestate estate (KRS 395.030). If the person lived in Martin County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Martin County courthouse in Inez.
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk publishes one Martin County courthouse location: 14 Court St., Inez. That courthouse serves estates for people who lived anywhere in Martin County, including Inez, Warfield and unincorporated communities.
Martin County is in the 24th Judicial District with Lawrence and Johnson counties (KRS 24A.030). The district local rules place Martin District Court's Probate Division on Monday mornings at 9 a.m. when court is in session.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide what you are asking the court to do. If a personal representative is needed, use AOC-805 for probate of a will and/or appointment, with KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015 in mind. If you are asking the court to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms from kycourts.gov or ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Inez for paper copies. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening, AOC-808 for the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015, AOC-841 for the inventory required by KRS 395.250, AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610 and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Martin County Courthouse, 14 Court St., Inez, KY 41224, or mail the papers to P.O. Box 430, Inez, KY 41224-0430. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney must use Kentucky's eFiling system for eligible probate filings; a self-represented filer may register but may file on paper.
- If the person seeking appointment as executor or administrator does not live in Kentucky, include the full name and address of a Kentucky resident process agent on the petition, as required by the 24th Judicial District local rules.
- 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. Martin 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 whether the matter will be placed on the Probate Division docket. Martin District Court's Probate Division convenes every Monday that court is in session at 9 a.m. Uncontested petitions, will probates and petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may be reviewed on the informal docket before court and not called on the regular docket unless counsel or the petitioner asks.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk whether your hearing or review is in person or remote. Martin County does not post local Zoom login information, and the Kentucky Court of Justice directs parties to contact the county clerk's office for specific remote access information.
- If the District Court appoints you, obtain the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, from the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Kentucky law also refers to letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 and allows formal letters under seal under KRS 395.110.
- Administer the estate under Kentucky deadlines. File the inventory under KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, distribute only when permitted under KRS 395.190, and close by settlement under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Martin County
Martin County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Martin County form set. You file AOC-805 to open the estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250 and AOC-846 or AOC-850 to close under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605. The forms are free at kycourts.gov, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Inez can provide paper copies.
Martin's local rules add practical filing instructions. Pleadings should be typewritten when possible, current AOC forms should be used, and where appropriate an order should be presented with a motion or petition.
Timeline
- At filing, ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk whether the matter is being placed on Martin District Court's Probate Division docket.
- The 24th Judicial District local rules state that the Probate Division of Martin District Court convenes every Monday that court is in session at 9 a.m.
- Uncontested petitions, will probates and petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 are placed on an informal docket reviewed by the judge before court, unless counsel or the petitioner asks for the matter to be called on the regular docket.
- If appointment is granted, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and the statewide administration deadlines begin, including the inventory under KRS 395.250.
Local nuance
Martin County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Monday probate docket | The 24th Judicial District local rules place Martin District Court's Probate Division on Monday at 9 a.m. when court is in session. |
| Informal docket | Uncontested petitions, will probates and petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may be reviewed by the judge before court and not called on the regular docket unless counsel or the petitioner asks. |
| Out-of-state fiduciary | If the proposed executor or administrator does not live in Kentucky, the petition must type the full name and address of a Kentucky resident process agent. |
| Bond language in local rules | The local rules refer to listing property so the court can fix bond, but current KRS 395.130 says no bond is required by default unless the court orders one. |
Recent updates
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Martin County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by confirming which assets pass outside probate and which assets are in the decedent's name alone. If court action is needed, file at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Inez and ask whether the matter can be handled on the Monday informal docket. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance and asset ownership before the family decides what to file for estate settlement. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the family is asking to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, use AOC-830 and remember the local rule requiring a Kentucky resident process agent for a nonresident fiduciary. The Probate Division's informal docket includes uncontested petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. | Sunset helps organize the asset list and generate a packet so the out-of-state child can reduce back-and-forth with the Inez clerk's office. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home was individually owned and a sale is needed, full administration may be required so an executor or administrator can obtain authority. If appointed, request the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and follow the inventory and settlement steps under KRS 395.250, KRS 395.605 and KRS 395.610. | Sunset helps locate assets, prepare estate settlement paperwork and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a real-estate sale needs court authority. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | Contact | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Martin County | Martin County Courthouse, 14 Court St., Inez, KY 41224; mail to P.O. Box 430, Inez, KY 41224-0430; (606) 298-3508; fax (606) 298-4202 | The filing office for Martin County estates. The clerk can provide forms, state the current amount due and give court-date information, but cannot give legal advice. |
| 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, AOC-850 and AOC-860. |
| 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 and Probate Estate. |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | 866-277-5733; https://ardfky.org/ | The civil legal aid program listed for Martin County. Ask the program directly what help may be available. |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ | Free online civil legal questions answered by a volunteer Kentucky attorney. |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv | Statewide lawyer referral information. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring a Kentucky probate attorney if a will is likely to be contested under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240, if real estate must be sold, if heirs disagree, if tax or creditor claims under KRS 396.011 are unclear, or if an out-of-state fiduciary needs help meeting Martin County's process-agent requirement. Sunset connects you to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank, investment, insurance, retirement and other accounts so the Martin County filing is based on a clearer asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for Kentucky AOC forms and helps prepare the estate settlement packet for the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Inez.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Martin County estate involves a home sale, disagreement, creditor issues under KRS 396.011 or a possible will contest under KRS 394.240, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to move from uncertainty to a practical estate settlement plan without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Martin County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Martin County Courthouse, 14 Court St., Inez, KY 41224. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 430, Inez, KY 41224-0430. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court because KRS 24A.120 gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate.
What does it cost to open a Martin 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. Martin 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.
What payment methods does the Martin County clerk list?
The Martin County court page lists cash, check, money order, credit card and debit card. A card fee applies. Cash is required for bond, if the court orders one under KRS 395.130, and supervision fees. The county page also links Pay online with ePay.
Does Martin County have its own probate forms?
Martin County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms and does not publish a separate county form set. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610 and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
When does probate court meet in Martin County?
The 24th Judicial District local rules say the Probate Division of Martin District Court convenes every Monday that court is in session at 9 a.m. Uncontested petitions, will probates and petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may be reviewed on the informal docket before court.
Can I appear remotely for a Martin County probate matter?
Do not assume either way. Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings since March 2020, but Martin County does not post local probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 298-3508 for instructions for your scheduled matter.
Is there an online lookup for Martin County probate cases?
CourtNet is behind a Kentucky Court of Justice account login, and the Administrative Office of the Courts directs people to the county Office of Circuit Court Clerk for trial-court case files. A no-login court-date lookup exists at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, but it is only a court-date lookup, not a full probate case file.
Do attorneys have to use eFiling in Martin County probate?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate, intestate or petition to dispense with administration case must file electronically. A self-represented filer may register for the system but may still file paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Inez.
What if the executor or administrator lives outside Kentucky?
The 24th Judicial District local rules require a proposed fiduciary who is not a Kentucky resident to type the full name and address of a Kentucky resident process agent on the petition. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk if you are unsure how that local requirement applies to your filing.
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.