Free Kentucky Petition for Probate

In Kentucky, the petition asks the District Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

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You & the Will

Kentucky provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

Email Address*

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Yes. Kentucky publishes Petition for Probate of Will; and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator (AOC-805), filed with the District Court. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

The petition. Letters are issued, never filled out: Circuit Court Clerk issues Letters of Appointment after the court grants the petition. The petition asks the District Court to admit the will where there is one and to appoint you, and it states who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth.

Beside the petition, the Kentucky packet carries: Certified copy of the death certificate — commonly requested by the Circuit Court Clerk at intake, but NOT required by KRS 395.015, KRS 394.145 or the AOC-805 form itself; confirm with the county Circuit Court Clerk; Original will and any codicils, presented to the District Court for probate and recorded by the county clerk (KRS 394.140; KRS 394.300); Written application/petition under oath listing the surviving spouse and heirs-at-law (AOC-805), filed in duplicate (KRS 395.015). The court's own checklist runs longer for particular cases.

Kentucky's court filing fee is $90, paid to the District Court when the petition is filed. Publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. The Kentucky probate cost calculator sets the fee beside attorney and executor fees.

The District Court reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it. Kentucky does not require a bond by default, though the court can order one. Circuit Court Clerk then issues the Letters. With Letters in hand the representative opens the estate account, gives creditor notice and collects the assets; the Kentucky estate settlement plan carries each step in order.

Opening Probate in Kentucky

To settle an estate in Kentucky, a personal representative is appointed first, an executor where there is a will and an administrator where there is none, and Letters issue to that person. The application is a petition filed with the District Court. The Circuit Court Clerk issues Letters of Appointment after the court grants the petition.

Kentucky publishes Petition for Probate of Will; and/or Appointment of Executor/Administrator (AOC-805) as the statewide petition; the document is that form, completed from the facts of the decedent, the estate and the heirs or beneficiaries. Signed, it is filed with the District Court. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

In Kentucky, filed with the petition: Certified copy of the death certificate — commonly requested by the Circuit Court Clerk at intake, but NOT required by KRS 395.015, KRS 394.145 or the AOC-805 form itself; confirm with the county Circuit Court Clerk; Original will and any codicils, presented to the District Court for probate and recorded by the county clerk (KRS 394.140; KRS 394.300); Written application/petition under oath listing the surviving spouse and heirs-at-law (AOC-805), filed in duplicate (KRS 395.015).

The court filing fee is $90, paid to the District Court when the petition is filed; publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. A bond is not required by default; the court can order one. The District Court reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it; the Circuit Court Clerk then issues the Letters.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Kentucky statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free tools for settling an estate in Kentucky: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Kentucky pays executors reasonable compensation, typically 2.2% to 3.8% of the estate.

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Can I Self-File Probate?

In Kentucky, informal probate is not available, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

In Kentucky, the District Court appoints the personal representative and the Circuit Court Clerk issues Letters of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Kentucky, creditors have 6 months from the personal representative's appointment to present claims; late claims are barred.

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What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

When an estate owes more than it holds, Kentucky pays the claims in 4 classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.

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Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.

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Browse 111 probate firms in Kentucky with addresses, contact info, and practice details.

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Kentucky Estate Settlement Resources

In-depth guides covering Kentucky probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.

Free Kentucky Petition for Probate

In Kentucky, the petition asks the District Court to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters of Appointment; every appointment goes through the court.

Progress0%

Opening Probate in Kentucky

Free Kentucky Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Is this your situation?

Named as Executor

Death of a Parent

Loss of a Spouse

Forms for Settling an Estate in Kentucky

Renunciation of Executor

Affidavit of Heirship

Estate Inventory

Estate Closing

Letter of Instruction

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Tools for Settling an Estate in Kentucky

How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Can I Self-File Probate?

How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?

What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?

How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Hire a Kentucky Probate Attorney

Your kids shouldn't have to do this.

Kentucky Estate Settlement Resources

Free Kentucky Petition for Probate

You & the Will