Kansas Inheritance: Plan an Estate or Settle One

Kansas has not adopted the Uniform Probate Code, has enacted the Uniform Trust CodeK.S.A. 58a-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and has not adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney ActK.S.A. §§ 58-650 through 58-665Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.

Probate of a simple estate in Kansas runs 6 months to 9 months; an average estate takes 9 months to 15 months. The court filing fee is $132K.S.A. 59-104(a)(1)-(2), as amended by L. 2026, ch. 35, § 16; L. 2025, ch. 117, § 56(d) (FY 2026)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; attorney fees are reasonable compensationK.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; executor compensation typically runs 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. On a $500,000 estate the estimated total comes to $25,212K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. The personal representative must post a bondK.S.A. 59-1101 (bond required, amount not less than 125% of personal property plus probable annual income from real estate); K.S.A. 59-1104 (bond waiver grounds)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which the will may waiveK.S.A. 59-1101 (bond required, amount not less than 125% of personal property plus probable annual income from real estate); K.S.A. 59-1104 (bond waiver grounds)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

Certified death certificates come from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Office of Vital StatisticsKansas Department of Health and Environment - Office of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source at $20Kansas Department of Health and Environment - Office of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source a copy. Processing time: 7 to 10 business days by mail; 3 to 5 business days after receipt for internet and telephone ordersKansas Department of Health and Environment - Office of Vital StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source. Once appointed, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 30 daysK.S.A. 59-1201, 59-1202, 59-1203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment and publishes the notice to creditors for 3K.S.A. 59-2239, 59-2236, 59-709, 59-1301Verified Oct 18, 2026View source consecutive weeks.

A surviving spouse left out of the will can elect to take a statutory share insteadK.S.A. 59-6a202Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. The family allowance during administration is capped at $75,000K.S.A. 59-403Verified Sep 15, 2026View source. Property left to a minor under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act is released at 21 yearsK.S.A. 38-1721Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of age. Kansas taxes incomeK.S.A. 79-32,110(a)(2)(B); K.S.A. 79-32,119(c)(2); K.S.A. 79-32,121(a)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source at a top rate of 5.58%K.S.A. 79-32,110(a)(2)(B); K.S.A. 79-32,119(c)(2); K.S.A. 79-32,121(a)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source. An heir's capital gains on inherited assets: ordinary income tax at the state's regular rates.