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Washington County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Washington County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Washington County District Court for probate matters under KRS 24A.120, filed with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk |
| Courthouse address | Washington County Judicial Center, 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069 |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing box is listed. Use the courthouse address unless the clerk gives different mailing instructions. |
| Phone | (859) 336-3761. The county page labels this as the Circuit line and lists a separate Jury line at (859) 336-0734, so say that you are calling about a probate or estate matter. |
| Fax | (859) 336-9824 |
| 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. Washington 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. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms are used. No separate Washington County form set is listed on the county court page. |
| Electronic filing | Required for attorneys in eligible Kentucky probate filings since January 1, 2024. Self-represented filers may register, but may still file on paper at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Springfield. |
| Case and date lookup | The court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ lists Washington County, but it is not a full probate case search. For estate status, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. |
| Remote proceedings | The Washington County page posts Zoom links for both District Court divisions under KRS 24A.120. Eligibility is governed by the 11th District local rules, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before relying on a remote option. |
| Payments | Cash, personal check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee, and Pay online with ePay. |
| Parking and access | Front and back of the building, with designated parking for those with a disability parking permit. The court page states that the building is accessible. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Washington.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Springfield, make a practical list of the accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, funeral expenses, and family contacts. Estate settlement goes faster when you know which assets actually need court authority and which pass outside probate.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery helps families look for financial accounts before they choose the filing path, prepare forms, or decide whether to involve counsel.
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 Washington County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Washington County courthouse in Springfield.
The filing location is the Washington County Judicial Center, 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069. The court serves all of Washington County, including Springfield, Willisburg, Mackville, and unincorporated areas.
Washington County is in the 11th Judicial District under KRS 24A.030 with Green, Marion, and Taylor counties. The case remains a Washington County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 even though the judicial district is shared.
The jurisdiction process
- Start with the estate information. List assets, debts, heirs, beneficiaries, the will if there is one, and any urgent bills. If the matter belongs in Washington County under KRS 394.140 and KRS 395.030, use the Springfield filing office.
- Choose the opening form. Use AOC-805 for probate of a will or appointment of an executor or administrator under KRS 394.145. Use AOC-830 if you are asking the court to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455.
- Gather the required statewide forms. Washington County uses Kentucky AOC forms, including AOC-808 financial disclosure under KRS 395.015 when appointment is requested. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Springfield can provide paper copies, but cannot give legal advice.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Washington County Judicial Center, 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069. Attorneys use Kentucky electronic filing for eligible probate filings beginning 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. Washington 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. The local payment options listed are cash, personal check, money order, credit or debit card with a fee, and ePay online.
- Ask how the hearing or court date will be set. The county page lists a Circuit Court schedule for contested matters under KRS 24A.120, but it does not list a separate District Court probate docket day under KRS 24A.120. Use the court-date lookup or call (859) 336-3761.
- Ask about remote participation before the date. Washington County posts District Court Zoom links under KRS 24A.120, but who may use them is governed by the 11th District local rules. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming the estate matter will be heard remotely.
- If the court appoints you, get the authority document. The clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807, and Kentucky law also uses letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 and KRS 395.110.
- Administer the estate after appointment. File the inventory within 90 days and under seal as required by KRS 395.250, address creditor claims under KRS 396.011, and do not distribute estate property before the time allowed by KRS 395.190.
- Close the estate. Use AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 when that route fits, or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Washington County
Washington County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Washington County form set. You file form 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 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 to close.
The forms are free through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms catalogue, and the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Springfield can provide paper copies. The clerk can tell you local filing logistics and the current total due under CR 3.03, but cannot give legal advice.
Timeline
- For ordinary probate scheduling, call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. The county page does not list a separate District Court probate docket day under KRS 24A.120.
- For a contested estate matter under KRS 24A.120, the county page lists Circuit Court on the third Wednesday after the first Monday.
- On that Circuit Court day, Division 1 lists criminal matters at 9 a.m. and civil matters at 1 p.m. Division 2 lists civil matters at 9 a.m. and criminal matters at 1 p.m.
- Use the Kentucky court-date lookup for Washington County as a date tool only, and call (859) 336-3761 if you need the status of a Washington County estate.
- If a remote option is requested, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk. The county page posts District Court Zoom links under KRS 24A.120, but the 11th District local rules govern who may use them.
Local nuance
Washington County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Washington County filing |
|---|---|
| Shared judicial district | Washington County is in the 11th Judicial District under KRS 24A.030 with Green, Marion, and Taylor counties, but the estate filing stays in Washington County when venue is proper under KRS 394.140. |
| Phone labeling | The court page labels (859) 336-3761 as the Circuit line and gives a separate Jury line. No separate District probate line is listed, so state that you are calling about a probate or estate filing under KRS 24A.120. |
| Card payments | Credit and debit cards are listed as accepted, with a fee. The fee amount is not listed, so ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the total due under CR 3.03 before you file. |
| Remote links | The Washington County page posts District Court Zoom links under KRS 24A.120 for both divisions. The posted local-rules reference governs who may attend by Zoom, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before relying on a remote setting. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | File at the Washington County Judicial Center in Springfield if Washington County is the proper county under KRS 394.140. A petition to dispense with administration under KRS 395.455 may fit some personal-property situations, but a home sale often requires opening an estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize the asset list, and prepare the estate settlement packet before you contact the clerk or a local attorney. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate question under KRS 395.455 | No separate mailing box is listed, so call (859) 336-3761 before mailing papers to 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069. Washington County lists card payments with a fee and ePay online, which can help with filing logistics under CR 3.03. | Sunset helps gather asset information, generate the right AOC form set, and flag when a local attorney may save a trip. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually means opening a full estate with AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, then using the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and letters under KRS 395.105 for banks and title companies. If the matter becomes contested under KRS 24A.120, it moves to Washington Circuit Court as an original action. | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare the inventory under KRS 395.250, and connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney when real estate or a dispute is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Washington County | Filing office for Washington County estates. Can provide forms, accept filings, give the current total due under CR 3.03, and provide court-date information. Cannot give legal advice. | Washington County Judicial Center, 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069. Phone: (859) 336-3761. Fax: (859) 336-9824. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Free statewide probate forms, including AOC-805 under KRS 394.145, AOC-807, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250, AOC-846 under KRS 395.610, AOC-850 under KRS 395.605, and AOC-860. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews for self-represented people, 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 |
| Legal Aid Society | Civil legal aid program listed for Washington County. Ask directly what help is available for your situation. | 502-584-1254. https://yourlegalaid.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Income-eligible Kentuckians can post a civil legal question online for a volunteer attorney to answer. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide place to look for a Kentucky attorney. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
| Guide to Basic Kentucky Probate Procedures | Plain-language introduction to Kentucky probate. Use current statutes and current AOC forms for deadlines, financial disclosure under KRS 395.015, inventory under KRS 395.250, and bond 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 look across financial institutions, organize what belongs to the estate, and prepare for estate settlement before filing in Springfield.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps assemble the Kentucky AOC forms and supporting information for a Washington County filing, including the opening papers, inventory under KRS 395.250, and settlement forms under KRS 395.605 or KRS 395.610.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves real estate, a dispute, creditor issues under KRS 396.011, or a contested matter under KRS 24A.120, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement workflow, prepare next steps, and decide what to do before contacting the Office of Circuit Court Clerk.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Washington County, Kentucky?
File at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Washington County Judicial Center, 100 E. Main St., Suite 100, Springfield, KY 40069. Kentucky probate is handled in District Court under KRS 24A.120, and venue is based on where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140.
What number should I call for a Washington County probate question?
Call (859) 336-3761 and say you are calling about a probate or estate matter. The county page labels that number as the Circuit line and lists a separate Jury line at (859) 336-0734, but no separate District probate phone number is listed.
How much does it cost to open a probate case in Washington 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. Washington 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.
What payment methods does the Washington County clerk list?
The county page lists cash, personal check, money order, credit and debit cards with a fee, and Pay online with ePay. The card fee amount is not listed, so ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for the total due under CR 3.03.
Can I e-file a Washington County probate case?
Attorneys handling eligible Kentucky probate filings are required to use electronic filing beginning January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register for the system, but may still file paper forms with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Springfield.
Are there Washington County probate forms?
Washington County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms. Use AOC-805 under KRS 394.145 to open an estate, AOC-830 under KRS 395.455 to ask to dispense with administration, AOC-841 under KRS 395.250 for the inventory, and AOC-846 under KRS 395.610 or AOC-850 under KRS 395.605 to close.
How do I find a court date for a Washington County estate?
The Kentucky court-date lookup at https://kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/ lists Washington County, but it is a date tool, not a full probate case search. For estate status, contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Springfield.
Does Washington County allow remote probate hearings?
The county page posts District Court Zoom links under KRS 24A.120 for both divisions, but the 11th District local rules govern who may use them. Contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk before assuming a probate matter can be handled remotely.
What if the estate becomes contested in Washington County?
KRS 24A.120 says contested probate matters are filed fresh in Circuit Court as original adversary proceedings, not as appeals. KRS 394.240 also governs a will contest. The county page lists Circuit Court on the third Wednesday after the first Monday.
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.