Estate Planning & Probate in Sedgwick County, Kansas
Most Sedgwick County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the District Court.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the District Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Sedgwick County→Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Sedgwick County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Sedgwick County→The Probate Process in Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick County, probate runs through the District Court at 525 N Main St, Wichita. The court sits in the 18th Judicial District.
Full Sedgwick Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
District Court
Sedgwick County · 18th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Sedgwick County · Tonya Buckingham
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
$21 for the first page plus $17 for each additional page; a 2-page TOD deed records for $38; TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax.
Full recording details →Verified September 4, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the District Court
The court offers a self-help center, open Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, in Information Center, 1900 E Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211 (Juvenile Facility). Staff can review paperwork for completeness and explain procedures, though they cannot provide legal advice. Call 316-660-5900 for details.
Probate cases (estates, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, care and treatment) are filed and maintained at the Juvenile Courthouse, 1900 E Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211 - not the Main Courthouse at 525 N Main St. The Probate Department phone is (316) 660-5900 and fax is (316) 941-5357, with department hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday-Friday.
Kansas Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Sedgwick County.
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