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Owsley County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Owsley County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Owsley County District Court, probate division, under KRS 24A.120 |
| Courthouse address | Owsley County Courthouse, 20 Main St., Booneville, KY 41314 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130 |
| Phone | District line for probate questions: (606) 593-6529. Circuit line: (606) 593-6226. |
| Fax | (606) 593-6343. Call before sending time-sensitive papers. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| 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. Owsley 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, and money order are published payment methods. If the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130, cash is required for the bond. The county page also links ePay. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. No separate Owsley County probate form set is published on the county court page. |
| Filing method | Attorneys must use Kentucky eFiling for eligible probate papers beginning January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Booneville. |
| Court dates | Owsley District Court civil and probate matters are set on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. under 23rd Judicial District local Rule 2.01C. |
| Remote hearings | No Owsley County probate Zoom login is posted. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a matter will be remote. |
| Court-date lookup | The Kentucky Court of Justice court-date tool lists Owsley County at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/. Treat it as a court-date lookup, not a full probate case file. |
| Accessibility | Designated disability parking is on the left side of the building, and the building has an elevator. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Owsley.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Booneville, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, likely heirs or beneficiaries, and any will. That list determines whether you are asking Owsley County District Court under KRS 24A.120 to probate a will, appoint an executor or administrator, or consider a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
Sunset's estate settlement platform can help search for accounts across 2,300 institutions, organize what you find, and turn the information into the probate packet you need for Owsley County. Starting with the asset picture also helps you plan payment, mailing, and the third-Thursday probate docket.
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 Owsley County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Owsley County courthouse in Booneville.
Owsley County's filing location is 20 Main St., Booneville, KY 41314, with mail directed to P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130. The court serves all of Owsley County, including Booneville and unincorporated communities such as Cow Creek and McVille.
Owsley County is in Kentucky's 23rd Judicial District with Estill and Lee counties under KRS 24A.030. The filing is still an Owsley County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120, and the local rules place Owsley civil and probate matters on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts, heirs, beneficiaries, and any will before choosing a filing path. 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 Owsley County, at the Owsley County courthouse in Booneville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Owsley Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
- Choose the opening paperwork. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). Use AOC-830 if you are asking the judge to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. The 23rd Judicial District local rules require the moving party to clearly elect the relief requested before the matter is docketed, although the request may change later if circumstances change.
- Prepare any required supporting papers, including the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 on AOC-808 when you apply for appointment as personal representative. If you are represented by an attorney, eligible probate papers must be e-filed through Kentucky eFiling beginning January 1, 2024; if you are self-represented, you may file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Booneville.
- Prefile the probate matter at least one day before court unless the judge waives that requirement. File at 20 Main St., Booneville, KY 41314, or mail to P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130. Motions should be filed and served at least 72 hours before the hearing, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, or at least 5 days before the hearing if served by mail.
- 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. Owsley 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.
- Use Owsley's published payment methods. The county page lists cash, check, and money order, and it links ePay. If the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130, cash is required for the bond.
- Plan around the Owsley docket. Under local Rule 2.01C, civil and probate matters in Owsley District Court are heard on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 are heard on the record, and the petitioner does not need to appear if represented by counsel.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about appearance details. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but no Owsley probate login is posted. Call the District line, (606) 593-6529, before assuming whether the hearing will be in person or remote.
- After appointment, get the authority document. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, showing that the appointment order is in full force and effect. Kentucky law also uses letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 and lets the clerk issue formal letters under seal under KRS 395.110.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 within 90 days after qualification, and the inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Close with AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when it fits, or AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610. Owsley's local Rule 9.03 allows a stalled probate matter to be dismissed without prejudice after more than 12 months of inaction and 30 days' notice.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Owsley County
Owsley County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Owsley County form set published on the county court page. You file AOC-805 to open the estate or probate a will (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 and KRS 395.605).
The forms are free through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms page, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Booneville can provide paper copies. The clerk can provide forms and fee information, but cannot give legal advice or decide which form you should file.
Timeline
- Before the docket: Owsley probate matters must be prefiled at least one day before court unless the judge waives that requirement under local Rule 9.04.
- Motion timing: written motions should be filed and served at least 72 hours before the hearing, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. If served by mail, the motion should be filed at least 5 days before the hearing.
- Regular probate docket: Owsley District Court hears civil and probate matters on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. under 23rd Judicial District local Rule 2.01C.
- Dispense-with-administration hearings: petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 are heard on the record, and the petitioner does not need to appear if represented by counsel.
- If the matter becomes contested: under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240, the dispute is filed as an original action in Owsley Circuit Court. The Circuit Court civil motion day is the first Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
Local nuance
Owsley County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for an Owsley County filing |
|---|---|
| Use the District phone line first | The county page lists a Circuit line and a District line. Probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, so start with (606) 593-6529 for probate questions. |
| Third-Thursday probate docket | Owsley District Court civil and probate matters are set on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. under local Rule 2.01C. |
| Relief must be elected before docketing | Local Rule 9.01(B) requires the moving party to identify whether the request is to probate a will, open an intestate estate under KRS 395.030, or dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. |
| On-the-record dispense hearings | Local Rule 9.01(C) says all petitions to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 are heard on the record, and the petitioner need not appear if represented by counsel. |
| Inactive cases can be dismissed | If an estate has no action for more than 12 months, local Rule 9.03 allows written notice and possible dismissal without prejudice after 30 days. |
| Payment limits | The county page lists cash, check, and money order, plus ePay. It does not list an in-person card option. If the court orders a fiduciary bond under KRS 395.130, cash is required for the bond. |
| Building access | The courthouse has designated disability parking on the left side of the building and an elevator. |
Recent updates
Owsley County's current published local rules place District Court civil and probate matters on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m., require probate matters to be prefiled at least one day before court unless waived, and provide an inactive-probate procedure after more than 12 months of inaction.
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Owsley County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether any assets require court authority. If only personal property is passing and the facts fit, a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may be heard on the third-Thursday Owsley docket; if the home must be sold through the estate, expect an AOC-805 opening under KRS 394.145. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, locate accounts, and prepare the estate settlement packet for Booneville filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Owsley's mailing address is P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130. Plan payment before mailing, because the county page lists cash, check, and money order in person plus ePay. If the request is to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 with KRS 395.455 and prefile at least one day before the third-Thursday docket. | Sunset helps decide what assets are actually in the estate, generate the forms, and reduce unnecessary trips during estate settlement. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, then using the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 for banks and title companies. If a dispute becomes contested, KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240 send it to Owsley Circuit Court as an original action, with civil motion day on the first Friday at 9:30 a.m. | Sunset helps find financial accounts, prepare a probate-ready packet, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a sale or dispute needs counsel. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Owsley County | Filing office for Owsley County estates. The office can provide forms, take filings, give current cost information under CR 3.03, and provide court-date information. It cannot give legal advice. | 20 Main St., Booneville, KY 41314; mail to P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130; District (606) 593-6529; Circuit (606) 593-6226; fax (606) 593-6343 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805 with KRS 394.145, AOC-807, AOC-830 with KRS 395.455, AOC-841 with KRS 395.250, AOC-846 with KRS 395.610, AOC-850 with KRS 395.605, and AOC-860 for the narrow probate fee exemption. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews for self-represented people, 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 |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | The civil legal aid program listed for Owsley County. Ask directly what help is available. | 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 | A statewide place to look 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 because the booklet predates the July 15, 2026 changes. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if the estate includes real estate to sell, unclear heirs, a dispute over the will, unpaid creditor claims under KRS 396.011, inheritance tax questions under KRS 140.070, or a contested matter that moves from Owsley District Court to Owsley Circuit Court under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank, investment, retirement, insurance, and other accounts so the Owsley County filing starts with a clearer estate settlement picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into a Kentucky probate packet using the right statewide AOC forms for the path you choose, including AOC-805 with KRS 394.145 or AOC-830 with KRS 395.455.
Find a local probate attorney. When an estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court filings under KRS 24A.120 and local Owsley County scheduling.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, prepare for Booneville filing, and understand next steps without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Owsley County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Owsley County Courthouse, 20 Main St., Booneville, KY 41314. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130. Probate is handled in Owsley County District Court under KRS 24A.120.
Which phone number should I call for an Owsley County probate question?
Call the District line, (606) 593-6529, because probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. The county page also lists the Circuit line, (606) 593-6226, for the same Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
How much does it cost to open probate in Owsley 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. Owsley 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.
When are probate matters heard in Owsley County?
Owsley District Court hears civil and probate matters on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. under 23rd Judicial District local Rule 2.01C. Probate matters must be prefiled at least one day before court unless the judge waives that requirement.
Can I appear remotely for an Owsley County probate hearing?
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 Owsley County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 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) 593-6529 and ask before you assume either way.
Do attorneys file Owsley County probate papers electronically?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, an attorney handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Booneville.
Is there an online lookup for an Owsley County probate case?
The Kentucky Court of Justice court-date tool at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ lists Owsley County and can be used as a court-date lookup. The statewide account portal requires login access, and the Administrative Office of the Courts states that it does not hold trial-court case records; for the status of an Owsley County estate, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Booneville.
What forms do I need for Owsley County probate?
Owsley County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC forms. Common forms include AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of a personal representative (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 for a petition to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 for inventory (KRS 395.250), AOC-807 for the Certificate of Qualification, and AOC-850 or AOC-846 to close the estate (KRS 395.605 and KRS 395.610).
Do I have to travel to Booneville if I live out of state?
Not always. You may be able to mail papers to P.O. Box 130, Booneville, KY 41314-0130, and an attorney can e-file eligible probate papers beginning January 1, 2024. Because Owsley probate matters are scheduled locally and remote access is not posted, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 593-6529 before relying on mail, ePay, or a remote appearance.
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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.