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Pendleton County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Pendleton County District Court, sitting in probate under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Pendleton County |
| Courthouse address | Pendleton County Judicial Center, 120 Ridgeway Ave., Falmouth, KY 41040 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 69, Falmouth, KY 41040-0069 |
| Phone | (859) 654-3347 |
| Fax | The Pendleton County court page does not post a fax number. Call before trying to fax probate 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. Pendleton 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 methods | Cash, check and money order are listed for in-person payments. The page also links Pay online with ePay. A card option is not listed for in-person payment. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. Pendleton County does not post a separate probate packet. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys handling Kentucky probate filings must use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system for eligible probate filings since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but paper filing remains available at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Falmouth. |
| Court dates and case information | Kentucky's public docket generator is a court-date lookup with a notice that it is not an official docket. It is not a full District Court probate case search. For Pendleton County estate status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 654-3347. |
| Video hearing details | Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020. Pendleton County does not post local probate login details on its court page. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming whether a hearing will be in person or remote. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Pendleton.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Pendleton County, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, funeral expenses and any jointly owned property. Knowing what is actually in the estate helps you choose between opening an administration and asking about a dispense-with-administration filing under KRS 395.455.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can help families search across 2,300 institutions, organize assets and liabilities, and prepare for the questions the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Falmouth will ask. Better asset discovery also helps avoid filing the wrong probate packet or missing property that affects estate settlement.
Which court handles jurisdiction
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 Pendleton County, at the Pendleton County courthouse in Falmouth. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Pendleton Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
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 Pendleton County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Pendleton County Judicial Center in Falmouth.
The same courthouse serves estates from Falmouth, Butler, Peach Grove, Demossville, Carntown, Bachelors Rest and the rest of Pendleton County. Pendleton County is in the 18th Judicial District with Harrison, Nicholas and Robertson counties (KRS 24A.030).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the right Kentucky AOC probate paperwork. AOC-805 opens an estate and is tied to KRS 394.145. AOC-830 asks the District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. If appointment is requested, include the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 on AOC-808.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Pendleton County Judicial Center, 120 Ridgeway Ave., Falmouth, KY 41040, or mail the filing to P.O. Box 69, Falmouth, KY 41040-0069. Attorneys must e-file eligible probate documents through Kentucky eFiling since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may file on paper at the clerk's office.
- 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. Pendleton 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 payment methods the local page lists. Pendleton County lists cash, check and money order for in-person payments and links Pay online with ePay. If you planned to pay by card in person, call (859) 654-3347 first because a card option is not listed.
- Follow any notice instructions the court gives. If a personal representative is appointed, track the creditor claims period under KRS 396.011 and keep proof of each required notice or publication.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk how the Pendleton County probate hearing will be scheduled. The Pendleton County page does not post a probate motion day or hearing calendar.
- Ask about remote access before the hearing. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but Pendleton County does not post local probate login details. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk can tell you what applies to your scheduled event.
- After appointment, obtain the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. The Certificate of Qualification and the appointment order show the authority of the executor or administrator, and KRS 395.105 refers to that authority as letters of appointment.
- Administer the estate and file later papers on time. A personal representative files the inventory under KRS 395.250 on AOC-841, handles allowed claims under KRS 396.011, and closes with AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pendleton County
Pendleton County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Pendleton 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.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for Probate of Will and/or Appointment of Executor or Administrator, tied to KRS 394.145. |
| AOC-808 | Financial Disclosure required with an appointment request under KRS 395.015. |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification, issued after appointment and used with the order to show authority under AOC-807 and KRS 395.105. |
| AOC-830 | Petition to Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455. |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and Appraisement of Estate under KRS 395.250. |
| AOC-850 | Application for Informal Final Settlement under KRS 395.605. |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of Estate under KRS 395.610. |
Local nuance
Pendleton County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Card payment is not listed | Pendleton County's court page lists cash, check and money order for in-person payments and links Pay online with ePay. If you plan to pay in person by card, call (859) 654-3347 before you go. |
| Limited local operating details are posted | The Pendleton County page does not post a fax number, an accessibility note or a probate court schedule. For those details, use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk phone number rather than assuming the practice. |
| Shared rural judicial district | Pendleton County is part of the 18th Judicial District with Harrison, Nicholas and Robertson counties (KRS 24A.030). Ask the clerk about hearing scheduling because the local page does not post a probate docket day. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Pendleton County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating assets that already pass by title from property that needs District Court probate under KRS 24A.120. If only limited assets need court action, ask whether AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 is available. File at the Judicial Center in Falmouth. | Sunset helps identify accounts, property and debts so the spouse can decide what actually belongs in the estate settlement filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (859) 654-3347 before traveling. Ask whether the facts support a Petition to Dispense with Administration, AOC-830, under KRS 395.455, or whether appointment as administrator is needed under KRS 395.030. | Sunset helps organize the asset list, generate the probate packet, and connect the child with a Kentucky probate attorney if local filing help is needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A real estate sale often requires clear authority from Pendleton County District Court under KRS 24A.120. The appointed personal representative should obtain the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and appointment order, with authority described in KRS 395.105. | Sunset helps keep the estate settlement checklist, asset documents and attorney coordination in one place before the property sale moves forward. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Pendleton County | Filing office for every Pendleton County estate in District Court under KRS 24A.120. The clerk can provide blank forms and filing information, but cannot give legal advice. | Pendleton County Judicial Center, 120 Ridgeway Ave., P.O. Box 69, Falmouth, KY 41040; (859) 654-3347 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide AOC probate form catalogue, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610. | 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 topics. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Legal Aid of the Bluegrass | Civil legal aid program listed for Pendleton County. Ask the program whether help is available for your situation. | 859-431-8200; https://lablaw.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Free online civil legal question service. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide attorney referral resource. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | AOC plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for filing deadlines and appointment requirements. | 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 build a clearer estate settlement picture before filing in Pendleton County by organizing bank accounts, property, debts, insurance and other assets in one place.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset can turn the information you gather into a probate packet using the Kentucky AOC form path, including appointment paperwork, dispense-with-administration paperwork under KRS 395.455, inventory under KRS 395.250 and closing forms under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, court strategy, a real estate sale or help with a contested matter under KRS 24A.120, Sunset can connect you with a Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset, and can decide later whether they want attorney help for the Pendleton County filing.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pendleton County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Pendleton County Judicial Center, 120 Ridgeway Ave., Falmouth, KY 41040. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 69, Falmouth, KY 41040-0069. Probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What does it cost to open a Pendleton 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. Pendleton 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 Pendleton County clerk's office?
The Pendleton County court page lists cash, check and money order for in-person payments and links Pay online with ePay. It does not list an in-person card option, so call (859) 654-3347 before planning to pay by card at the counter.
Does Pendleton County have its own probate forms?
Pendleton County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. The local page does not post a separate county probate packet. Common forms include AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610.
Is e-filing required in Pendleton County probate?
For attorneys, yes. Since January 1, 2024, attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings must use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling, but may also file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Falmouth.
Can I appear remotely for a Pendleton County probate hearing?
Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before the hearing. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, but Pendleton County does not post local probate login details on its court page.
How do I look up a Pendleton County probate date?
Kentucky's public docket generator is a court-date lookup and is not the official docket. For estate status or filing questions, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Falmouth at (859) 654-3347.
What proof of authority does a Pendleton County executor or administrator receive?
After appointment, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. The Certificate of Qualification and the appointment order are the documents banks and title companies usually ask to see, and KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment.
Does Pendleton County share a judicial district?
Yes. Pendleton County is in the 18th Judicial District with Harrison, Nicholas and Robertson counties (KRS 24A.030). Because the local page does not post a probate hearing schedule, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for court dates.
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.