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Pike County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Pike County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Pike County District Court, through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Pike County. KRS 24A.120(2) gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over matters involving probate. |
| Courthouse address | Pike County Judicial Center, 175 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41502. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002. |
| Phone | Probate line: 606-433-7559. Circuit line: 606-433-7557. |
| Fax | 606-433-7044. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. Check the court holiday calendar before traveling to Pikeville. |
| 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. Pike 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 | The county page lists cash, check and money order, plus a Pay online with ePay link. It does not publish a credit or debit card option. |
| Local form set | Pike County uses Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. Its county page does not publish a separate Pike County probate packet, checklist or fee schedule. |
| Electronic filing | For attorneys, e-filing in Kentucky probate cases has been required since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register for eFiling, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville. |
| Case information | CourtNet runs behind an account portal at kcoj.kycourts.net. For a Pike County estate, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville at 606-433-7559. A separate no-login court-date lookup exists at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ and is a court-date tool, not a full case-material search. |
| Remote participation | Kentucky courts have used Zoom for remote proceedings, and Pike County's own page posts Zoom sign-in information for sitting judges. Whether a probate matter is in person or remote is up to the judge, so check the current Pike County court page or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before a hearing. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Pike.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Pikeville, make a practical list of what the person owned, what was owed, which assets already have a beneficiary or surviving co-owner, and whether any real estate needs court authority to transfer or sell. That asset picture drives estate settlement, including whether you are asking for appointment on AOC-805 or asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
Sunset can help with the front-end fact gathering by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing the information you need for a Kentucky probate packet. That helps you call the Pike County probate line with better questions before you mail papers or travel to the Pike County Judicial Center.
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 Pike County, at the Pike County courthouse in Pikeville. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Pike 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 Pike County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Pike County courthouse in Pikeville.
The same Pikeville courthouse serves estates for people who lived anywhere in Pike County, including Coal Run Village, Elkhorn City, South Williamson, Belfry, Phelps and Freeburn. Pike County is the 35th Judicial District under KRS 24A.030, and that judicial district is Pike County alone.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the Kentucky AOC forms that match the estate. AOC-805 is used to probate a will or ask for appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145). AOC-830 is used if you are asking Pike County District Court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Prepare the filing package before you go to Pikeville or mail it. Use the street address for in-person filing, Pike County Judicial Center, 175 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41502, and the mailing address, P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002, for mailed papers.
- File through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. An attorney must e-file eligible Kentucky probate papers because attorney e-filing has been required since January 1, 2024; a self-represented filer may register for eFiling but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville.
- Confirm the payment total before filing. $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. Pike 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. The county page lists cash, check and money order.
- Complete any notice, waiver or order forms that apply to the petition. Pike County uses the statewide AOC forms, including waiver forms in the AOC set when they fit the estate, and the clerk cannot give legal advice about who must receive notice.
- Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the court date. Pike County's page does not publish a separate probate calendar, and the no-login court-date lookup is only a court-date tool.
- Ask about remote participation before the hearing. Pike County's court page posts Zoom sign-in information for sitting judges, but whether a specific probate matter is in person or remote is up to the judge, so check the current county page or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 606-433-7559.
- If the court appoints you, get the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment, and the Certificate of Qualification together with a certified copy of the appointment order is what banks and title companies usually ask to see.
- Administer and close the estate. File the inventory on AOC-841 within 90 days after qualification under KRS 395.250, track creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and close with AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when the estate is ready.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pike County
Pike County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Pike County form set. You file AOC-805 to open the estate or seek appointment 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 required by KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 to close.
The forms are free through kycourts.gov, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville can provide paper copies. The clerk can provide forms and tell you the current amount due, but cannot give legal advice or decide which filing strategy is best for your family.
Local nuance
Pike County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use the probate phone line | Pike County publishes a separate probate line, 606-433-7559. The criminal line is different, so call the probate line for estate settlement questions. |
| Separate street and mailing addresses | Use 175 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41502 for the courthouse, and P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002 for mailed filings. |
| Payment wording is narrow | The Pike County page lists cash, check and money order, plus Pay online with ePay. It does not publish a card option, so call before relying on one. |
| Zoom information is on the county page | Pike County posts Zoom sign-in information for sitting judges. Check the current county page or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a probate hearing will be remote. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Pike County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by separating the co-owned home from assets that need Pike County District Court authority under KRS 24A.120. If appointment is needed, use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and file through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and title issues so the spouse can avoid filing a larger estate settlement than the assets require. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small-estate question | Call the Pike County probate line before traveling. Kentucky's court route is a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, usually on AOC-830, not a bank affidavit. A self-represented filer may mail papers to the P.O. Box or file on paper in Pikeville. | Sunset organizes assets, helps generate the packet, and flags when a local attorney should review the KRS 395.455 request. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home is in the estate and must be sold, court authority and clear appointment papers often matter. File in Pike County District Court under KRS 24A.120, use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 if appointment is needed, and get the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, with authority recognized under KRS 395.105. | Sunset helps build the asset list, prepare the estate settlement packet, and connect the parent with a Pike County probate attorney for sale authority and title questions. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | Contact | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Pike County | Pike County Judicial Center, 175 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41502; mail to P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002; probate line 606-433-7559; fax 606-433-7044. | The filing office for Pike County estates. It can provide forms, quote the current amount due and help with court dates, but it cannot give legal advice. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx | Free 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 | Guided A2J interviews include Probate Estate and Dispense with Administration. AOC-830 requests dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | 866-277-5733; https://ardfky.org/ | The civil legal aid program listed for Pike County. Ask the program directly what help may be available for your issue. |
| 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 families who need attorney help with a Kentucky estate. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider talking with a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate includes a home that must be sold, family disagreement, missing heirs, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, an inheritance tax question under KRS 140.070, or a contested matter that may move from District Court to Pike Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240. Sunset connects you to a vetted probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset helps families discover accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property that may need to be included in a Pike County estate settlement. A clearer asset list helps you decide what to file before you call the probate line or travel to Pikeville.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Kentucky probate packet using the statewide AOC form structure. That can reduce back-and-forth with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk and make the estate settlement process easier to track.
Find a local probate attorney
Some estates need legal judgment, especially when real estate, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, tax questions or family disputes are involved. Sunset can connect you with a local probate attorney who understands Kentucky District Court probate under KRS 24A.120.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families. You can use Sunset to organize the estate, prepare for Pike County filing steps and decide when professional help makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pike County, Kentucky?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Pike County Judicial Center, 175 Main St., Pikeville, KY 41502. If you mail papers, use P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What phone number should I call for a Pike County probate estate?
Call the Pike County probate line at 606-433-7559. The county page also lists a Circuit line, 606-433-7557, but the probate line is the best starting point for estate settlement questions.
How much does it cost to open probate in Pike 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. Pike 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 Pike County probate costs by card?
The Pike County page lists cash, check and money order, plus Pay online with ePay. It does not publish a credit or debit card option, so call 606-433-7559 before relying on card payment.
Does Pike County have its own probate forms?
Pike County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening an 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, AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610 and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
Do attorneys have to e-file probate papers in Pike County?
Yes. For attorneys, Kentucky probate e-filing has been required since January 1, 2024. If you are handling the estate yourself, you may register for eFiling, but you may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville.
Can I appear remotely for a Pike County probate hearing?
Do not assume either way. Pike County's court page posts Zoom sign-in information for sitting judges, but whether your probate matter is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge. Check the current county page or call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at 606-433-7559 before the hearing.
Can I look up a Pike County probate case online?
CourtNet runs behind an account portal at kcoj.kycourts.net, and the Administrative Office of the Courts says trial-court case materials are handled by the county clerk's office. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville at 606-433-7559 for a Pike County estate. A no-login court-date lookup is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, but it is a court-date tool, not a full case-material search.
Do I have to travel to Pikeville to start probate?
Not always. A self-represented filer may file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Pikeville or mail papers to P.O. Box 1002, Pikeville, KY 41502-1002. Call 606-433-7559 first to confirm the current amount due and whether your papers need a court date.
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.