Downtown Frankfort law office serving Franklin, Anderson, Woodford, Scott, Bourbon, Owen, Shelby, and Fayette counties. Attorney Jason Apollo Hart represents executors during probate, attends the court hearings, and drafts wills, living wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. Consultations are free.
Probate in Shelby County
Probate Court Record
Shelby County District Court
Shelby County · 53rd Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
401 Main Street, Suite 101, Shelbyville, KY 40065
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Shelby County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Shelby County? →Settling an estate in Shelby County →
Probate Firms Serving Shelby County
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.
A Louisville firm on La Grange Road serving Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer and Hardin counties. Its attorneys administer estates from inventory and appraisals through state and federal tax returns and distribution, advise executors and trustees, and litigate will contests, trust mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty. The firm was founded in 1869.
A Versailles practice serving Woodford, Fayette and Madison counties and courts across Central Kentucky. Whitney Dunlap III guides executors and beneficiaries from the petition to probate the will through claims against the estate, tax returns, deeding real estate and closing the estate, and represents clients in will contests. He brings over thirty years of litigation experience.
Downtown Frankfort litigation firm on Clinton Street serving Franklin County and clients in Georgetown, Lawrenceburg and Shelbyville. Its probate practice helps executors inventory the estate, pay creditors, distribute assets and administer trusts, and represents parties on both sides of will contests. Free initial consultations, in the office or by phone.
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.
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
