A Covington firm serving Kenton, Boone and Campbell counties, founded in 1895 and formerly Adams, Stepner, Woltermann & Dusing. Its probate attorneys handle estate and trust administration and take a named executor through opening probate, notifying heirs and creditors, the inventory, paying debts and taxes and distributing the estate. It also drafts wills and living trusts.
Covington is in Kenton County.
Probate in Kenton County
Probate Court Record
Kenton County District Court
Kenton County · 16th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
Kenton County Justice Center, 230 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Covington, KY 41011
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Kenton County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Kenton County? →Settling an estate in Kenton County →
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.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Pour-Over Will
In Kentucky, a pour-over will is signed before 2KRS 394.040Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Kentucky happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeKRS 386B.1-010 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysKRS 386B.8-130Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Kentucky, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Ky. Rev. Stat. § 386B.7-080Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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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.
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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Kentucky requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040KRS 141.020(2)(f); KRS 141.081; KY DOR 2026 Withholding Tax FormulaVerified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Kentucky take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesKRS 141.020(2)(f) — flat 3.5% for taxable years beginning on or after Jan 1, 2026Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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