Back to Kentucky
Wolfe County, KY Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Wolfe County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Wolfe County District Court, sitting in probate under KRS 24A.120. |
| Filing office | Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Wolfe County. |
| Courthouse address | Wolfe County Judicial Center, 133 Main St., Campton, KY 41301. |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 296, Campton, KY 41301-0296. |
| Phone | (606) 668-3736. |
| Fax | (606) 668-3198. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 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. Wolfe 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 cards and debit cards. A card fee applies. Cash is required for bond if the court orders bond under KRS 395.130. The county page also links to Pay online with ePay. |
| Forms | Kentucky statewide AOC probate forms apply. Wolfe County's Office of Circuit Court Clerk does not publish a separate county probate form set on its page. |
| Electronic filing | An attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate filing must file electronically through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024. A self-represented filer may register but may still file on paper in Campton. |
| Court records and court dates | The Kentucky Court of Justice account portal is not a free public probate case-record search. Wolfe County's page links a free court-date lookup at kcoj.kycourts.net/dockets/, which carries its own caveat that it is not the official docket. |
| Remote court | Wolfe County links the statewide remote-court instructions but posts no local login information. Ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 668-3736 before assuming a probate matter will be heard in person or remotely. |
| Accessibility and parking | Ramp at side door, elevator in building, free parking and designated parking for people with disability parking permits. |
| Website | https://www.kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Wolfe.aspx |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Wolfe County, make a working list of the assets, debts, account locations, real estate and likely heirs. The clerk's office can provide forms and tell you the amount due at filing, but it cannot decide which Kentucky estate settlement path fits your family.
Sunset searches across 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, benefits and other assets before they choose forms or ask the Campton clerk for a hearing date. That asset picture makes the estate settlement process less likely to stall after the first court filing.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Kentucky sends the estate to the District Court of the county where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140, and where there is no will, to the same court under KRS 395.030. If the person lived in Wolfe County, the papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Wolfe County Judicial Center in Campton.
Wolfe County has one published court location for probate filings: 133 Main St. in Campton, with mail directed to P.O. Box 296. Wolfe County is in Kentucky's 39th Judicial District with Powell and Breathitt counties under KRS 24A.030, but a Wolfe County estate is still filed in Wolfe County.
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 Wolfe County, at the Wolfe County Judicial Center in Campton. If the estate becomes contested, the dispute is filed fresh in Wolfe Circuit Court as an original adversary proceeding, not as an appeal under KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240.
The jurisdiction process
- Start with the asset and debt list. Identify real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, unpaid bills and possible creditor claims under KRS 396.011 before choosing the first form.
- Get the Kentucky AOC forms. AOC-805, cited with KRS 394.145, opens a probate estate. AOC-830, cited with KRS 395.455, is used when asking the District Court to dispense with administration. AOC-841 is the inventory form under KRS 395.250, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 is used to close under KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605.
- File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Wolfe County at the Wolfe County Judicial Center, 133 Main St., Campton, KY 41301, or mail the packet to P.O. Box 296, Campton, KY 41301-0296. An attorney must file eligible probate documents electronically through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024; a self-represented filer 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. Wolfe 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.
- Use the payment methods the Wolfe County page publishes: cash, check, money order, credit card or debit card, with a fee for card use. Cash is required for bond if the District Court orders bond under KRS 395.130.
- Ask the clerk's office for the court date. The 39th Judicial District local rule sets Wolfe County's regular District Court session for each Wednesday at 9 a.m. under KRS 24A.030, but it does not name a separate probate docket.
- Ask about the appearance format. Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020 and the Kentucky Court of Justice publishes statewide remote-court instructions. Whether a particular Wolfe County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge, and login details are not published centrally, so contact the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 668-3736 before you assume either way.
- If the District Court appoints you as personal representative, the Office of Circuit Court Clerk issues a Certificate of Qualification, form AOC-807. That certificate, with a certified copy of the appointment order, is what banks and title companies use, and KRS 395.105 describes the fiduciary's authority as letters of appointment.
- Administer and close the estate. File the AOC-841 inventory within ninety days and under seal as required by KRS 395.250, handle creditor claims under KRS 396.011, wait for the distribution point under KRS 395.190, then close with AOC-850 for an informal final settlement under KRS 395.605 or AOC-846 for a settlement under KRS 395.610.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Wolfe County
Wolfe County uses Kentucky's statewide Administrative Office of the Courts probate forms; there is no separate Wolfe County form set published by the local court page. AOC-805 opens the estate and is tied to 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 forms are free through the Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms page. The Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Campton can also provide paper copies, but the clerk cannot give legal advice or decide which form is right for your estate settlement.
Timeline
- Wolfe County is in the 39th Judicial District with Powell and Breathitt counties under KRS 24A.030.
- The district's local rule sets Wolfe County's regular District Court session for each Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Wolfe County courthouse in Campton.
- The rule does not set a separate probate time or filing-to-hearing window. After you file, ask the Office of Circuit Court Clerk when your probate matter under KRS 24A.120 will be called.
- Do not book travel based only on the Wednesday session. Ask the clerk at (606) 668-3736 whether your matter requires an appearance and whether the judge will handle it in person or remotely.
Local nuance
Wolfe County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Wolfe County estate |
|---|---|
| Wednesday District Court session | Wolfe County's regular District Court session is each Wednesday at 9 a.m. under the 39th Judicial District local rule and KRS 24A.030. The rule does not publish a separate probate docket time. |
| Two clerk offices in Campton | Estate papers go to the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Wolfe County Judicial Center on Main Street. The separate Wolfe County Clerk on Court Street handles land records, deeds, vehicles and elections, not District Court probate filings under KRS 24A.120. |
| Payment at the court | The Wolfe County court page lists cash, check, money order, credit card and debit card. A card fee applies. Cash is required for bond if bond is ordered under KRS 395.130. |
| Accessibility | The published accessibility information is a ramp at the side door and an elevator in the building. |
| Parking | The published parking information is free parking and designated parking for people with disability parking permits. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Wolfe County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start at the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Campton. If the estate may qualify for an order to dispense with administration, AOC-830 and KRS 395.455 may be relevant, with the $30,000 exemption under KRS 391.030. A co-owned home may still require title review outside the court forms. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and property before you decide whether a court order, full administration or attorney review is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | You can ask the Campton clerk about mailing the packet to P.O. Box 296 and about the Wednesday court session. If you are asking to dispense with administration, use AOC-830 with KRS 395.455 and confirm whether any appearance can be handled remotely before booking travel. | Sunset organizes the asset list and generates a probate packet so a family member outside Kentucky can work from a clearer checklist. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate when a home must be sold | A sale of real property often points toward full administration. File AOC-805 with KRS 394.145 in Wolfe County, then use the Certificate of Qualification, AOC-807, and letters of appointment under KRS 395.105 for banks and title companies. A contested issue is filed as an original adversary proceeding under KRS 24A.120(2) and KRS 394.240. | Sunset helps gather account information, prepare the starting forms and connect the family with a Kentucky probate attorney when a home sale or dispute makes counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Circuit Court Clerk, Wolfe County | Filing office for Wolfe County estate papers. The clerk can provide forms, state the amount due at filing under CR 3.03 as of July 1, 2026 and tell you court-date information. The clerk cannot give legal advice. | Wolfe County Judicial Center, 133 Main St., Campton, KY 41301. Mail: P.O. Box 296, Campton, KY 41301-0296. Phone: (606) 668-3736. Fax: (606) 668-3198. |
| Kentucky Court of Justice legal forms | Statewide probate forms, including AOC-805 with KRS 394.145, AOC-830 with KRS 395.455, AOC-807, AOC-841 with KRS 395.250, AOC-846 with KRS 395.610 and AOC-850 with KRS 395.605. | https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx |
| Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal | Guided interviews for 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 |
| AppalReD Legal Aid | Civil legal aid program listed by the Kentucky Court of Justice for Wolfe County. Ask the program directly what help is available for your situation. | 866-277-5733. https://ardfky.org/ |
| Kentucky Free Legal Answers | Online civil legal question service for eligible Kentuckians. | https://ky.freelegalanswers.org/ |
| Kentucky Bar Association lawyer referral services | Statewide lawyer referral information for finding a Kentucky attorney. | https://www.kybar.org/page/lawreferserv |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate bank accounts, investments, insurance, benefits and other assets before the first Wolfe County filing. A clearer asset list makes estate settlement decisions easier and reduces the chance that a later account is missed.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into a Kentucky probate packet using the statewide AOC forms that fit the path you choose, such as AOC-805 with KRS 394.145 or AOC-830 with KRS 395.455.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a home sale, creditor issues, a possible contest under KRS 24A.120 and KRS 394.240, or questions about who should serve, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Kentucky probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, prepare for the Campton filing office and understand the next step without paying Sunset.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Wolfe County?
File with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk for Wolfe County at the Wolfe County Judicial Center, 133 Main St., Campton, KY 41301. Mail goes to P.O. Box 296, Campton, KY 41301-0296. Kentucky sends the estate to the District Court of the county where the person lived at death under KRS 394.140, and probate is within District Court's exclusive jurisdiction under KRS 24A.120.
Which clerk in Campton handles estate papers?
Use the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at the Wolfe County Judicial Center on Main Street. The separate Wolfe County Clerk on Court Street handles land records, deeds, vehicles and elections, not probate filings in District Court under KRS 24A.120.
What does it cost to open a Wolfe 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. Wolfe 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.
Can I pay by card at the Wolfe County court office?
The Wolfe County court page lists cash, check, money order, credit cards and debit cards, with a fee for card payments. Cash is required for bond if the court orders bond under KRS 395.130. The county page also links to Pay online with ePay.
Are there Wolfe County probate forms?
Wolfe County uses Kentucky's statewide AOC probate forms rather than a separate county form set. Common forms include AOC-805 with KRS 394.145 to open an estate, AOC-830 with KRS 395.455 to request an order dispensing with administration, AOC-841 with KRS 395.250 for the inventory, and AOC-846 or AOC-850 with KRS 395.610 or KRS 395.605 to close.
Can probate be filed electronically in Wolfe County?
An attorney handling an eligible Kentucky probate filing must file electronically through the Kentucky Court of Justice system since January 1, 2024. If you are handling the estate yourself, you may register for electronic filing but may still file on paper with the Office of Circuit Court Clerk in Campton.
When does District Court sit in Campton?
Wolfe County's regular District Court session is each Wednesday at 9 a.m. under the 39th Judicial District local rule and KRS 24A.030. The rule does not publish a separate probate docket time, so call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 668-3736 for your court date.
Can I appear by phone or video for a Wolfe County probate hearing?
Kentucky courts have held proceedings remotely by Zoom since March 2020, and Wolfe County links the statewide remote-court instructions. Whether a Wolfe County District Court probate matter under KRS 24A.120 is heard in person or remotely is up to the judge, and login details are not published centrally. Call the Office of Circuit Court Clerk at (606) 668-3736 before assuming either way.
Can I look up a Wolfe County probate case online?
Kentucky does not publish a free public District Court probate case-record search. The Kentucky Court of Justice account portal requires an account, and the Administrative Office of the Courts says trial-court case records come from the county Office of Circuit Court Clerk. Wolfe County's page does link a free court-date lookup, but that is not the same as full probate case records.
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.