What to Do When Someone Dies in Marshall County, Kansas

Probate in Marshall County runs through the District Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

When someone dies in Marshall County, settling their estate runs through the District Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

District Court

Marshall County · 22nd Judicial District

Address

1201 Broadway, Office #5Marysville, KS 66508Mailing: P.O. Box 149, Marysville, KS 66508

Fax

785-562-2458

Hours

Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Marshall County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Marshall County, probate runs through the District Court at 1201 Broadway, Office #5, Marysville. The court sits in the 22nd Judicial District. The same 22nd Judicial District also serves Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Kansas intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Kansas estates take 9 months to 15 months to move through this process. The 4 monthsK.S.A. 59-2239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Marshall County

What probate costs in Marshall County, Kansas comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 1201 Broadway, Office #5, Marysville. The court is part of the 22nd Judicial District.

Kansas charges $132K.S.A. 59-104(a)(1)-(2), as amended by L. 2026, ch. 35, § 16Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the District Court (https://kscourts.gov/eCourt/Kansas-Courts-eFiling). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Kansas are negotiated, typically 1.8%K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 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 estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Kansas requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%K.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 of estate value annually.

Probate in Kansas typically runs 9 months to 15 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the District Court

If you're handling probate yourself in Marshall County, Kansas, you can file at the District Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 22nd Judicial District.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Marshall County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Marshall County Self-Filing Assessment.

Marshall County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Self-represented litigants exempt from e-filing

The Kansas eFlex e-filing system is only available to licensed attorneys. Pro se filers must use traditional paper filing methods.

Source

All case types filed at the Clerk of the District Court

All Marshall County cases, including probate, are filed at the Clerk of the District Court office (1201 Broadway, Office #5; mail to P.O. Box 149).

Source

What to Bring

To file at the District Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Marshall County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Register of Deeds.

Deeds and other real property documents for Marshall County are recorded with the Register of Deeds, led by Ruth Martin, at 1201 Broadway, Marysville, KS 66508. Phone: 785-562-3226. Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Fri 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM.

The Register of Deeds charges $21 for the first page plus $17 for each additional page.

Marshall County accepts electronic recording through CSC.

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Marshall County · Ruth Martin

Address

1201 BroadwayMarysville, KS 66508

Hours

Mon-Thu 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Fri 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSCE-recording info →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$21
Each additional page$17
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

K.S.A. 28-115(a)(5), (b), (i)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Marshall County

Kansas uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Marshall County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in Kansas are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.8%K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.9%K.S.A. 59-1717 (fiduciary and attorney compensation "just and reasonable"; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Marshall County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmMarysville, KS

Galloway, Wiegers & Brinegar, P.A.

Serves 2 counties

Serving north central Kansas from offices in Marysville, Seneca, and Belleville. Jason Brinegar focuses primarily on estate planning and administration, providing wills, trusts, probate, and business planning services across Marshall and Republic counties.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1114 BroadwayMarysville, KS 66508

FirmWichita, KS

Foulston Siefkin LLP

Since 1919 · Serves the whole state

Founded in 1919 and the largest Kansas-based law firm, Foulston Siefkin runs an estate planning and probate group from its Wichita, Topeka, and Overland Park offices, serving clients statewide. Attorneys administer estates and trusts through probate, handle incapacity and tax-minimization planning, plan farm and business succession, and litigate trust and estate disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTrust LitigationElder Lawand 6 more

Office
1551 N. Waterfront Parkway, Suite 100Wichita, KS 67206

FirmGarden City, KS

Kennedy Berkley, P.A.

Since 1961 · Serves the whole state

A multi-office regional firm founded in 1961, providing trust and estate planning, probate, business transactions, and farm and ranch law services across Western Kansas with offices in Garden City, Dodge City, Hays, Salina, and Overland Park.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionFarm Ranch Planningand 2 more

Office
1811 East Mary St., Suite BGarden City, KS 67846

FirmTopeka, KS

Patton & Patton

Serves the whole state

Patton & Patton handles wills, trusts, and probate administration from offices in Topeka, Lenexa, and Wichita, with probate matters going through Shawnee County District Court and the surrounding regions. The firm prepares estate plans with powers of attorney and health-care directives and represents families through estate administration after a death. Free consultations available.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
534 S Kansas Ave, Suite 1120Topeka, KS 66603
Free consultation

FirmTopeka, KS

Snyder & Snyder

Since 2018 · Serves the whole state

Jonathan Snyder and Sarah Snyder are a husband and wife legal team who practice probate law, estates, wills, trusts, in Topeka, Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas and Johnson County, Kansas. Rebranded to Snyder & Snyder in 2018.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
123 SE 6th Ave, Suite 220Topeka, KS 66603

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

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