Louisville and New Albany, Indiana practice of Bruce A. Brightwell, taking probate cases in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Meade, Hardin and Nelson counties. He walks executors from opening the estate through debts, taxes and distribution to closing, and represents clients in probate litigation and will disputes.
Probate in Nelson County
Probate Court Record
Nelson County District Court
Nelson County · 57th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM
Office
200 Nelson County Plaza, Bardstown, KY 40004
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Nelson County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Nelson County? →Settling an estate in Nelson County →
Probate Firms Serving Nelson County
An Elizabethtown firm serving Hardin, Meade, Grayson, Breckinridge, Nelson, LaRue, Hart, Bullitt and Jefferson counties. Its attorneys guide court-appointed executors and administrators through probate, help trustees and beneficiaries with trust administration, and represent family members contesting a will. The firm also handles adult guardianship and drafts wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
A Munfordville solo practice serving Hart, LaRue, Hardin, Green, Barren, Nelson, Taylor, Grayson and Metcalfe counties. Will Clauson gathers the documents needed to open probate, explains the executor's role in estate administration, and negotiates or litigates estate disputes and will or trust contests. He also handles elder law, Medicaid planning and special needs trusts.
Based in Campbellsville, the practice serves Taylor County and central Kentucky counties including Adair, Green, Marion, Casey, Pulaski and Hardin. Of Counsel Amanda Reed focuses on probate and estate planning, and the office prepares wills, living trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives. The site advertises free consultations.
Owensboro firm founded in 1994 that handles probate statewide from offices in Owensboro, Lexington and Louisville. Its attorneys guide executors and administrators through probate, carry out trust administration tasks, and resolve will contests over undue influence, capacity or unclear language. The firm reports handling well over 500 probate cases.
Louisville elder law firm founded in 2002, with offices in Louisville, Bowling Green and Shepherdsville and clients in Kentucky and Indiana. Its attorneys guide families through probate and estate administration, Medicaid estate recovery and guardianship, alongside Medicaid, VA benefits and long-term care planning.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Kentucky
Free Kentucky forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Kentucky.
$12/month
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Get Started
Free
Last Will and Testament
In Kentucky, a will is signed before 2KRS 394.040Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyKRS 394.040Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Get Started
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Kentucky
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Kentucky: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Kentucky.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Kentucky costs an estimated $23,308Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.5%Modeled estimate under Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Modeled estimate under Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Calculate Costs
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Kentucky: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysKRS 395.250Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsKRS 396.011, 396.015, 396.055, 396.095, 424.340Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
See the Steps
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Kentucky pays executors reasonable compensationKRS 395.150(1) (not more than 5% of the personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded); KRS 395.150(2) (additional compensation for extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Calculate the Fee
Do I Need Probate?
In Kentucky, estates with personal property of $30,000KRS 391.030Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less qualify for the Petition to Dispense with AdministrationKRS 391.030Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, a court procedure short of full probate.
Get the Answer
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Kentucky, creditors have 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.
Check the Rules
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Kentucky, informal probate is not availableKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
Get the Answer
