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Simpson County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Simpson County District Court, with probate jurisdiction under KRS 24A.120 |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Simpson County |
| Courthouse | Simpson County Justice Center, 101 N. Court St., Franklin, KY 42134 |
| Mailing | No separate mailing address is published by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Use the Justice Center address unless the clerk gives you different instructions. |
| Phone | (270) 586-4241 and (270) 586-8910 |
| Fax | (270) 586-0265 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday |
| Cost to open | $80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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 under KRS 27A.630, current as of August 2026, and a $20 court technology fee effective July 1, 2018. Simpson County may add a $10 court facilities fee under KRS 24A.185, current as of August 2026, if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance, and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force, so confirm the exact total with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before you file. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. No separate Simpson County probate form set is published by the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Electronic filing | Attorneys use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system for probate cases beginning January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file paper documents at the Justice Center. |
| Court-date lookup | Kentucky provides a public court-date generator at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ with a not-official-docket caveat. It is not a full probate case search. For estate status, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote appearance | The county page links statewide remote-court instructions but does not post local login details. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a Simpson County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 will be heard in person or by Zoom. |
| Payment | Cash, cashier's check, money order, and credit or debit cards, with a card fee. The county page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Parking | Parking is published as across from the building, entering from East Cedar Street, and on the side of the building, entering from Court Street. Designated parking for disability parking permit holders is on Court Street. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Simpson.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Simpson County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiaries, and accounts. The right estate settlement path depends on what must pass through court and what can be handled by beneficiary designation, survivorship, or another non-court transfer.
Sunset helps families start that inventory by searching across 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing the information into an estate settlement plan you can use before calling the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Kentucky sends a will to the District Court with probate jurisdiction under KRS 24A.120 in the county of the testator's residence at death under KRS 394.140. When there is no will, administration goes to the same court under KRS 395.030. If the person lived in Simpson County, file through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Simpson County Justice Center in Franklin.
The Justice Center is the published Simpson County filing location for estates from Franklin and the rest of Simpson County, including Gold City, Middleton, Prices Mill, Providence, and Salmons. Simpson County shares the 49th Judicial Circuit and 49th Judicial District with Allen County under KRS 24A.030.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the filing path before you go to the clerk. If you need a personal representative appointed, use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 and include the financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015. If you are asking the court to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 under KRS 395.455.
- File the papers with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Simpson County Justice Center, 101 N. Court St., Franklin, KY 42134. Kentucky probate is a District Court matter under KRS 24A.120, even though the filing office is called the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
- Pay the opening cost or confirm the current total before filing. $80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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 under KRS 27A.630, current as of August 2026, and a $20 court technology fee effective July 1, 2018. Simpson County may add a $10 court facilities fee under KRS 24A.185, current as of August 2026, if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance, and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force.
- Ask the clerk how the hearing will be set. The Simpson County page does not publish a probate-specific docket day, and any remote appearance depends on the judge. If Zoom is allowed, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk provides the login details.
- If the District Court appoints you under KRS 24A.120, get the Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807, and certified copies of the appointment order. KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment, and banks and title companies commonly ask for the certificate and order.
- Administer the estate. If an inventory is required, AOC-841 is filed under KRS 395.250, and Kentucky's current rule gives the personal representative 90 days from qualification under KRS 395.250. Handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011 and keep records for closing.
- Close the estate when the statutory requirements are met. 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 Simpson County
Simpson County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Simpson County form set. AOC-805 opens the estate under KRS 394.145, 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.
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin can provide paper copies, and the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms page posts the statewide forms. The 49th Judicial Circuit local rules for Allen and Simpson counties do not add a probate form, packet, checklist, or cover sheet.
Local nuance
Simpson County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Franklin is the courthouse town | Simpson County's Justice Center is in Franklin, Kentucky. Franklin County is a different Kentucky county with its courthouse in Frankfort, so a search for Franklin probate can lead to the wrong place. |
| Two phone lines reach the same office | The Simpson County page lists (270) 586-4241 and (270) 586-8910 under the Office of Circuit Court Clerk, with no separate Circuit or District label. Try either number for probate filing questions. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by identifying whether the home passes outside probate and whether any assets still require Simpson County District Court under KRS 24A.120. If only a limited court order is needed, ask whether AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 fits before opening a full estate. | Sunset helps separate jointly owned property, beneficiary assets, debts, and accounts that may need a court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Kentucky does not use an out-of-court small estate affidavit. For Simpson County assets, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin and ask whether a petition to dispense with administration, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, is the right filing. | Sunset organizes the asset list and can help prepare questions before you decide whether to travel to Franklin or ask about remote options through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home must be sold through the estate, a personal representative may need appointment in Simpson County District Court under KRS 24A.120, followed by authority documents, an inventory under KRS 395.250, creditor handling under KRS 396.011, and closing under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610. | Sunset helps build the estate settlement picture, identify accounts and liabilities, and connect the family with a local probate attorney when a real estate sale is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Simpson County | Filing office for Simpson County probate matters under KRS 24A.120. | Simpson County Justice Center, 101 N. Court St., Franklin, KY 42134; (270) 586-4241 or (270) 586-8910; fax (270) 586-0265 |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide AOC probate forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, and AOC-850 under KRS 395.605. | 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. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Kentucky Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed for Simpson County. Ask the program directly what help may be available for an estate question. | 270-782-1924 or 800-782-1924; https://klaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal question service. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide attorney referral. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | AOC plain-language overview of Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and forms for the inventory rule under KRS 395.250 and bond rule under KRS 395.130. | 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 locate accounts, insurance, real estate clues, debts, and other estate details so the Simpson County filing starts from a clearer asset picture.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized estate settlement packet, with the Kentucky form numbers and local filing details you can review before filing with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal help, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court probate under KRS 24A.120 and Simpson County filing practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, understand next steps, and decide when professional help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Simpson County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Simpson County Justice Center, 101 N. Court St., Franklin, KY 42134. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120, but the filing office is the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Is Franklin the same place as Franklin County for Kentucky probate?
No. Simpson County's courthouse town is Franklin. Franklin County is a different Kentucky county with its courthouse in Frankfort.
How much does it cost to open a Simpson County probate case?
$80 to open a probate case as of July 1, 2026: 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 under KRS 27A.630, current as of August 2026, and a $20 court technology fee effective July 1, 2018. Simpson County may add a $10 court facilities fee under KRS 24A.185, current as of August 2026, if its fiscal court has adopted the ordinance, and a county law library fee under KRS 453.060 where one is in force.
What payment methods does the Simpson County clerk accept?
The Simpson County page lists cash, cashier's check, money order, and credit or debit cards, with a card fee. It also links Pay online with ePay.
Does Simpson County have its own probate forms?
No separate Simpson County probate form set is published. Use Kentucky's statewide AOC forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, and AOC-850 under KRS 395.605.
Do attorneys have to e-file Simpson County probate cases?
Yes. Attorneys handling Kentucky probate filings use the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system beginning January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register but is not required to and may file paper documents at the Justice Center in Franklin.
Can I appear remotely for a Simpson County probate hearing?
Maybe. Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Simpson County does not post local probate login details. Whether a particular matter is heard remotely is up to the judge, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (270) 586-4241 or (270) 586-8910 before assuming either way.
Can I look up a Simpson County probate case online?
Kentucky's public docket generator at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date lookup with a not-official-docket caveat, not a full probate case search. For estate status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Franklin.
What do I receive after appointment as executor or administrator?
When the Simpson County District Court appoints you under KRS 24A.120, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. KRS 395.105 calls the authority letters of appointment, and banks or title companies may also ask for a certified copy of the appointment order.
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.