Back to Kentucky
Spencer County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Spencer County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Spencer County District Court, probate division, with papers filed through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Spencer County. KRS 24A.120 gives District Court exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters. |
| Courthouse address | Spencer County Courthouse Annex, 27 E. Main St., Taylorsville, KY 40071 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071-0282 |
| Phone | (502) 477-3220 |
| Fax | (502) 477-9368 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed for lunch from noon to 1 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. Spencer 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 | Cash, local personal check, cashier's check, money order, and credit and debit cards. A card fee applies. The county page also links Pay online with ePay. |
| Local form set | Spencer County uses Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms and does not publish a separate Spencer County probate packet or cover sheet. |
| Electronic filing | Required for attorneys in Kentucky probate cases since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register for the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system, but may still file paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylorsville. |
| Case lookup | Kentucky does not publish a free public docket search for District Court probate cases. A public court-date lookup is available at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ with a notice that it is not the official docket. For case status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylorsville. |
| Remote appearance | Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Spencer County does not publish local probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a Spencer County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 will be remote or in person. |
| Accessibility and parking | Elevator in building. Parking is listed on Main Street, Main Cross, and in front of the county annex, with designated disability parking in front of the annex. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Spencer.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Spencer County, make a practical list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, debts, beneficiary designations, and jointly owned property. Kentucky probate filings turn on what needs court authority, what can pass outside the estate, and whether the person seeking appointment can identify the assets accurately.
Sunset can help with estate settlement before the courthouse step by searching for accounts across 2,300 institutions, organizing asset information, and turning what you find into a filing plan for the Spencer County Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylorsville.
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 Spencer County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Spencer County Courthouse Annex in Taylorsville.
The Office of Circuit Court Clerk publishes one Spencer County filing location: the Spencer County Courthouse Annex, 27 E. Main St., Taylorsville. Mail goes to P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071-0282.
Taylorsville is the county seat and only incorporated city in Spencer County. The same courthouse serves estates for people who lived anywhere in the county, including unincorporated areas and the area around Taylorsville Lake.
Spencer County shares the 53rd Judicial Circuit and 53rd Judicial District under KRS 24A.030 with Shelby and Anderson counties. That shared district structure is one reason you should ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about scheduling before planning travel.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the filing path and forms. Use AOC-805 to petition for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator (KRS 394.145), or use AOC-830 if you are asking the District Court under KRS 24A.120 to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Prepare the appointment packet. For a full administration, include the petition, death certificate information requested by the form, proposed order, oath, any needed waivers, and the AOC-808 financial disclosure required by KRS 395.015. Kentucky no longer requires bond by default, but the court may order one under KRS 395.130.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Spencer County. Paper filings go to the Spencer County Courthouse Annex, 27 E. Main St., Taylorsville, KY 40071, or by mail to P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071-0282. Attorneys must e-file eligible Kentucky probate documents through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system since January 1, 2024, while self-represented filers may still file on paper.
- 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. Spencer 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.
- Plan around local counter logistics. The Taylorsville office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. It accepts cash, local personal check, cashier's check, money order, and credit and debit cards, with a fee for cards.
- Handle notice and hearing scheduling through the clerk's office. Spencer County does not publish a probate-specific hearing day. If a hearing, notice step, or court date is needed, ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylorsville how the District Court under KRS 24A.120 will set it.
- Ask about remote appearance before the date. Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Spencer County does not publish local probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (502) 477-3220 before assuming the matter will be heard remotely or in person.
- Get proof of authority after appointment. When the District Court appoints a personal representative under KRS 24A.120, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. KRS 395.105 calls the fiduciary's authority letters of appointment, and banks or title companies commonly ask for the certificate and a certified copy of the appointment order.
- Administer the estate and file required follow-up papers. A personal representative files the AOC-841 inventory within ninety days under KRS 395.250, handles creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and closes with AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 or AOC-846 for settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Spencer County
Spencer County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Spencer County form set. AOC-805 opens the estate (KRS 394.145), AOC-830 asks the court to dispense with administration (KRS 395.455), AOC-841 is the inventory (KRS 395.250), and AOC-846 or AOC-850 closes the estate under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
The Spencer County Office of Circuit Court Clerk does not publish a separate probate packet, checklist, or cover sheet on its county page. Use the statewide AOC form catalogue and contact the Taylorsville clerk's office if you are unsure which form fits your filing.
Local nuance
Spencer County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Noon closure | The Office of Circuit Court Clerk closes for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. every weekday. If you are filing in person, plan to arrive outside that window. |
| Parking at the annex | The county page lists parking on Main Street, Main Cross, and in front of the county annex. It also lists designated disability parking in front of the annex. |
| Mailing box | The street location is 27 E. Main St., Taylorsville, KY 40071. Mail should be sent to P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071-0282. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Spencer County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and what assets, if any, need District Court authority under KRS 24A.120. If court authority is needed, file through the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Spencer County Courthouse Annex in Taylorsville. | Sunset helps organize accounts, property information, debts, and beneficiary clues so the spouse can see whether estate settlement needs a Spencer County filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Kentucky does not use an out-of-court small-estate affidavit. If the child is asking the judge to transfer assets without appointing an executor or administrator, the Spencer County filing is AOC-830 for dispense with administration under KRS 395.455. | Sunset helps gather asset details before the child calls the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about paper filing, mailing, attorney eFiling since January 1, 2024, or a possible remote appearance handled through the clerk's office. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires clear authority from the Spencer County District Court under KRS 24A.120. The parent should expect to file for appointment, obtain the AOC-807 Certificate of Qualification, and coordinate with any title company before closing. | Sunset helps turn the estate settlement into a checklist of accounts, debts, real estate information, and documents to discuss with a Kentucky probate attorney. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Spencer County | Filing office for Spencer County probate matters under KRS 24A.120. | Spencer County Courthouse Annex, 27 E. Main St., P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071. Phone: (502) 477-3220. Fax: (502) 477-9368. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide AOC probate forms, including AOC-805, AOC-830, AOC-841, AOC-846, and AOC-850. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews include Probate Estate and Dispense with Administration under KRS 395.455. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Pages/Self-Help-Portal.aspx and https://a2j.org/#Kentucky |
| Legal Aid Society | Civil legal aid program listed for Spencer County. Ask the program directly about eligibility and whether it can help with your issue. | 502-584-1254. https://yourlegalaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | 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 deadlines and bond rules. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Help/Documents/probateguide.pdf |
When to hire an attorney
Consider hiring a Kentucky probate attorney if the estate includes real estate to sell, a family dispute, unclear heirs, creditor claims under KRS 396.011, a will contest under KRS 394.240, tax questions, or a personal representative who lives outside Kentucky. Counsel is also useful when attorney eFiling has been required since January 1, 2024 or when a title company needs precise authority documents. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other clues families often miss. That gives you a clearer estate settlement picture before you file in Spencer County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns what you provide into an organized Kentucky probate packet, including the forms and supporting information that match the path you are taking in the Spencer County District Court under KRS 24A.120.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect you with a Kentucky probate attorney who understands District Court filings, Spencer County clerk logistics, and real estate or creditor issues.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement, identify assets, prepare next steps, and decide whether to work with counsel without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Spencer County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Spencer County Courthouse Annex, 27 E. Main St., Taylorsville, KY 40071. Mail goes to P.O. Box 282, Taylorsville, KY 40071-0282. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
How much does it cost to open a Spencer 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. Spencer 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.
What payment methods does the Spencer County clerk accept?
The county page lists cash, local personal check, cashier's check, money order, and credit and debit cards. A fee applies to card payments.
Does Spencer County have its own probate forms?
Spencer County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms and does not publish a separate Spencer County form set. Common forms include AOC-805 for opening an estate under KRS 394.145, AOC-830 for dispense with administration under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 for the inventory under KRS 395.250, and AOC-850 for informal final settlement under KRS 395.605.
Do attorneys have to e-file probate cases in Spencer County?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024, attorneys handling Kentucky probate, intestate, or dispense-with-administration matters must file eligible documents through the Kentucky Court of Justice eFiling system. Self-represented filers may register, but they are not required to e-file and may still file paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Can I appear remotely for a Spencer County probate hearing?
Maybe. Kentucky courts have used Zoom since March 2020, but Spencer County does not publish local probate login information. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (502) 477-3220 before assuming a Spencer County District Court matter under KRS 24A.120 will be remote or in person.
Can I look up a Spencer County probate case online?
Kentucky does not publish a free public docket search for District Court probate cases. The public docket generator at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ is a court-date lookup and says it is not the official docket. For estate status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Taylorsville at (502) 477-3220.
What are the Spencer County clerk's hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. It is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Why does Spencer County share judges with other counties?
Spencer County is in the 53rd Judicial Circuit and 53rd Judicial District under KRS 24A.030, shared with Shelby and Anderson counties. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk about scheduling before planning travel.
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.