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Scott County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Scott County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Scott County District Court, probate division, under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Scott County |
| Courthouse | Scott County Justice Center, 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324 |
| Mailing | No separate mailing address is published on the Scott County court page. Use 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324. |
| Phone | (502) 863-0474 |
| Fax | (502) 863-9089 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 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. Scott 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 and debit cards with a fee. No out-of-state checks. Pay online with ePay. |
| Forms | Scott County uses Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms. The Scott County court page does not publish a separate probate form set. |
| E-filing status | Since January 1, 2024, attorneys handling Kentucky probate matters must file electronically. Self-represented filers may register for electronic filing, but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown. |
| Online lookup | The statewide court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date tool, not a full probate case search. For estate status, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote hearings | Kentucky courts have used Zoom for some proceedings since March 2020, but Scott County does not publish probate login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming an estate hearing is remote. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Scott.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Scott County, list the assets, debts, beneficiaries, likely creditors under KRS 396.011, and whether any asset actually needs court authority. This first pass keeps the estate settlement focused on the bank accounts, vehicles, real estate, refunds, and debts that matter.
Sunset searches across 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts and assets before they choose a filing path. That makes the Scott County probate packet more accurate and can reduce follow-up with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown.
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 Scott County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Scott County courthouse in Georgetown.
The same Georgetown courthouse serves estates for residents of Georgetown, Sadieville, Stamping Ground, Corinth, Great Crossing, Oxford, and other Scott County communities. Scott County shares the 14th Judicial District with Bourbon and Woodford counties under KRS 24A.030, but Scott County estates are filed at the Scott County Justice Center.
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 Scott County, at the Scott County courthouse in Georgetown. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Scott Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal (KRS 24A.120(2), KRS 394.240).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the filing path and forms. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator, with KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015 in mind. If you are asking the judge to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455.
- Prepare the opening packet. A full administration packet commonly includes the petition, the will if there is one, the proposed order, the oath, and the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 on AOC-808. Do not sign anything that needs a notary until you are ready to sign correctly.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Scott County Justice Center, 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324. Attorneys use Kentucky electronic filing because, since January 1, 2024, attorneys must file eligible Kentucky probate matters electronically. Self-represented filers may file on paper at the clerk's office.
- Pay the filing amount. The cost to open is $80 effective July 1, 2026 under CR 3.03: a $50 probate filing fee set by CR 3.03(1)(c), a $10 Access to Justice Fee under KRS 27A.630, and a $20 court technology fee. Scott County may add a $10 court facilities fee under KRS 24A.185 and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060. The clerk accepts cash, check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee, but no out-of-state checks.
- Ask the clerk how notice and the first court date will be handled. Scott County's page publishes a Family Court schedule, but not a District Court probate schedule under KRS 24A.120, so do not use the Family Court calendar to predict an estate hearing.
- Ask before assuming a remote appearance. Kentucky courts have used Zoom for some proceedings since March 2020, but Scott County does not publish probate login details. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (502) 863-0474 for the hearing format.
- After appointment, get proof of authority. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification on AOC-807, and KRS 395.105 and KRS 395.110 also refer to letters of appointment and letters in due form under seal.
- Administer the estate. The personal representative files the inventory on AOC-841 within ninety days under KRS 395.250, and that inventory is confidential and filed under seal under KRS 395.250. Handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and do not distribute until Kentucky law permits distribution under KRS 395.190.
- Close the estate when ready. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when that route fits, or AOC-846 for a formal or periodic settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Scott County
Scott County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Scott County form set. AOC-805 opens the estate under KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015, AOC-830 asks the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 is the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 closes the estate under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605. All are free at kycourts.gov, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown can provide paper copies.
| Form | When it is used |
|---|---|
| AOC-805 | Petition for probate of will and/or appointment of executor or administrator, tied to KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015 |
| AOC-808 | Financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015 |
| AOC-807 | Certificate of Qualification issued after appointment |
| AOC-830 | Petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 |
| AOC-841 | Inventory and appraisement filed under KRS 395.250 |
| AOC-846 | Settlement of estate for a formal or periodic settlement under KRS 395.610 |
| AOC-850 | Application for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 |
Local nuance
Scott County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| No out-of-state checks | The Scott County clerk accepts cash, check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee, but does not accept out-of-state checks. If you are an out-of-state personal representative, plan on a money order, card payment in person, or ePay rather than a personal check drawn on an out-of-state bank. |
| Family Court schedule is not the probate schedule | Scott County's court page publishes detailed Family Court dates, but probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for estate hearing dates. |
| Use the Hamilton Street courthouse address | The court page publishes the Scott County Justice Center at 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324 and does not publish a separate mailing address. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Scott County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying which assets are already co-owned and which assets, if any, require Scott County District Court authority under KRS 24A.120. If an administered estate is needed, file AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015 at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown. | Sunset helps separate probate assets from assets that may pass another way, then builds an estate settlement task list for the spouse. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Ask whether a petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 fits before opening full administration. If you mail papers or come to Georgetown, remember that Scott County does not accept out-of-state checks. | Sunset helps gather accounts and balances, generate the right form set, and flag payment and hearing questions to ask the clerk before travel. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires clear authority from the Scott County District Court under KRS 24A.120. After appointment, the clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification on AOC-807, and KRS 395.105 and KRS 395.110 support the authority documents banks and title companies ask to see. | Sunset helps organize asset discovery, creditor information under KRS 396.011, and attorney handoff for the real estate sale. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Scott County | Filing office for Scott County estates. The office can provide forms, accept filings, give current filing amounts under CR 3.03 effective July 1, 2026, and provide court dates. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Scott County Justice Center, 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324; (502) 863-0474; fax (502) 863-9089 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide AOC probate forms for opening, administering, and closing an estate. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Free guided A2J interviews, including probate estate and dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 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 Scott County. Ask the program directly what help may be available for your situation. | 859-431-8200; https://lablaw.org |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide referral point for finding a Kentucky attorney for estate, title, or contested matters under KRS 24A.120. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | The Administrative Office of the Courts' plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms when a rule has changed. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate is contested under KRS 24A.120, a home must be sold, heirs disagree, creditor claims under KRS 396.011 are unclear, or the estate needs a formal or periodic settlement under KRS 395.610. Counsel also helps an out-of-state personal representative avoid payment, mailing, and hearing problems in Georgetown. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families identify bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, vehicles, real estate clues, and debts before filing in Scott County. Better asset information makes the estate settlement cleaner from the first petition.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps prepare the Kentucky AOC forms that match the path, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 when dispense with administration is the right request, and follow-up forms for inventory under KRS 395.250 and closing under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate is contested under KRS 24A.120, includes a home sale, or needs court-specific guidance, Sunset can connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney who understands Scott County filings.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, generate documents, and get attorney connections without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Scott County, Kentucky?
File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Scott County at the Scott County Justice Center, 119 N. Hamilton St., Georgetown, KY 40324. Probate is handled in Scott County District Court under KRS 24A.120.
Is Scott County probate filed in District Court or Circuit Court?
Kentucky probate is a District Court matter. KRS 24A.120 gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Scott Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240.
Can I file electronically in a Scott County estate?
Attorneys handling Kentucky probate matters must file electronically for eligible cases because that requirement has applied to attorneys since January 1, 2024. If you are representing yourself, you may register for electronic filing, but you may also file paper documents at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown.
What does it cost to open probate in Scott 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. Scott 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.
Does Scott County have its own probate forms?
Scott County uses the statewide Kentucky AOC probate forms. AOC-805 is used to open many estates under KRS 394.145 and KRS 395.015, AOC-830 is used to ask to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 is the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 is used for closing under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
How do I look up a Scott County probate court date?
The statewide court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date tool, not a full probate case search. For the status of a Scott County estate, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Georgetown at (502) 863-0474.
Can I appear remotely for a Scott County probate hearing?
Kentucky courts have used Zoom for some proceedings since March 2020, but Scott County does not publish probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (502) 863-0474 before assuming a hearing under KRS 24A.120 will be remote.
Does the Scott County Family Court schedule tell me when probate is heard?
No. The Scott County page publishes a Family Court schedule for family-law matters. Probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, so ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the probate date.
Do I have to travel to Georgetown if I live out of state?
Not always, but you need to ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk what the judge requires for your filing or hearing. If you are mailing papers or arranging payment from outside Kentucky, remember that Scott County does not accept out-of-state checks.
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.