What to Do When Someone Dies in Calloway County, Kentucky

How probate works in Calloway County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Calloway County District Court

Calloway County · 42nd Judicial District

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

312 North 4th Street, Murray, KY 42071

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys must e-file probate, guardianship and conservatorship cases through KYeCourts. A self-represented filer files on paper at the circuit court clerk's office. On paper: Self-represented filers file on paper at the circuit court clerk's office; KYeCourts takes their e-filings in small claims cases only; An attorney not yet certified for e-filing may file on paper with AOC Form 108, Affidavit of Necessity, to meet a jurisdictional deadline.

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Kentucky Court of Justice Self-Help Portal prepares the Petition for Probate of Estate and the Petition to Dispense with Administration. Print the completed form and file it with the circuit court clerk in the county where the estate is handled.

Accepted payment

  • At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card.Card payments, in person or by phone, carry a processing fee.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Calloway 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 Calloway County, probate runs through the District Court at 312 North 4th Street, Murray. The court sits in the 42nd Judicial District.

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 Kentucky intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Kentucky estates take 12 months to 18 months to move through this process. Creditors have 6 monthsKRS 396.011, 396.015, 396.055, 396.095, 424.340Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the opening of the estate.

What Probate Costs in Calloway County

What probate costs in Calloway County, Kentucky 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 312 North 4th Street, Murray. The court is part of the 42nd Judicial District.

Kentucky's District Court probate filing fee is $50, with a $10 access-to-justice fee, a $20 court technology fee and, in most counties, a $10 court facilities fee, about $90 in total. The fee does not vary with estate size. Recording the admitted will with the county clerk is a separate $33KRS 24A.170(1); CR 3.03(1)(c) and (1)(m) as amended by Sup. Ct. Order 2026-15 (eff. 2026-07-01); KRS 27A.630(1); KRS 24A.185(2); AOC Circuit Court Clerks' Accounting ManualVerified Oct 17, 2026View source. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Kentucky are negotiated, typically 1.5%Modeled estimate under Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Modeled estimate under Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Kentucky allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payKRS 395.150(1) (not more than 5% of the personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded); KRS 395.150(2) (additional compensation for extraordinary services)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Kentucky requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.

Probate in Kentucky typically runs 12 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the District Court

Probate cases in Calloway County, Kentucky are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 42nd Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Circuit Court and Jury Recording.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

In Kentucky, informal probate is not availableKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the District Court: 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)KRS 395.015 (application for appointment; general financial disclosure statement, as amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 134 eff. 7/15/2026); KRS 395.105 (letters of appointment; when appointment effective); KRS 395.110 (copy of order effectual as letters); KRS 395.120 (oaths/declaration); KRS 394.140-394.145 (probate of will; combined application)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Calloway County

In Calloway County certified copies of the death certificate come from Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.

Vital Records Office Record

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics

Calloway County · State vital records office

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM ET (except state holidays)

Office

275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621

Certified copies

From Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Office of Vital Statistics; the Local Health Department files the certificate and issues no copies to the public

Mail

Vital Statistics 275 East Main Street 1E-A Frankfort, KY 40621

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Calloway County · Calloway County Coroner

Mail and offices

Mail

Calloway County Coroner P.O. Box 525 Murray, KY 42071

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Calloway 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 County Clerk.

Deeds and other real property documents for Calloway County are recorded with the County Clerk at 101 South 5th Street, Suite 5, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-270-753-3923. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

The County Clerk charges $46 for the first 5 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 5.

Calloway County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Calloway County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

101 South 5th Street, Suite 5, Murray, KY 42071

E-recording

available via Simplifile

Fees

Recording fees

Base fee (first 5 pages)$46
Each page beyond 5$3
Legal Process TaxRequired with most deeds$4

KRS 64.012(1)(a), KRS 64.012(3)(a), KRS 142.010(1)(d), KRS 142.050

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Calloway County

Kentucky uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Calloway 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 Kentucky are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Calloway 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.

FirmMurray, KY

Greg Taylor & Associates, PLLC

Since 2006 · Serves 6 counties

A Murray firm with offices in Mayfield and Clinton, serving Calloway, Graves, Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle and Ballard counties. It handles probate from proving the will and appointing the executor or administrator through the inventory to final settlement, plus post-mortem planning and tax elections. Founder Greg Taylor is a former adjunct professor of estate planning at Murray State.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 4 more

Office
705 S 4th StreetMurray, KY 42071

FirmMurray, KY

Pruitt Law, PLLC

Serves 6 counties

From Murray, the firm serves Calloway County and western Kentucky communities including Benton, Mayfield, Paducah, Cadiz and Eddyville. It guides personal representatives through probate, from the inventory to creditor claims and distribution of assets, and handles disputes that arise. Attorney Dominik Mikulcik, a former 42nd Judicial Circuit staff attorney, practices estate planning and probate.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts

Office
705 Main StreetMurray, KY 42071

FirmPaducah, KY

Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub, PLLC

Since 1929 · Serves 2 counties

Paducah firm in the Old National Bank Building on Broadway, with a second office on Main Street in Murray. Its estate administration group guides executors, administrators and beneficiaries through probate, represents trustees, and handles contested estates, trust disputes and guardianship administration. Its members include a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more

Office
300 Broadway StreetPaducah, KY 42001

FirmMayfield, KY

Wilson & Toombs, PLLC

Since 1907 · Serves 12 counties

Mayfield firm on North 7th Street, founded in 1907, serving Graves, McCracken, Calloway, Ballard, Fulton, Hickman, Trigg, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, Christian and Lyon counties. It handles probate administration and the settlement of estates, and prepares wills with trusts and guardian designations for minor children. Consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateFamily LawReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
230 N. 7th Street, Suite FMayfield, KY 42066
Free consultation

Solo PracticeMadisonville, KY

Adams Law Firm, PLLC

Serves 16 counties

Madisonville law office in Hopkins County with a second office in Hopkinsville, serving western Kentucky counties from Hopkins and Christian to Daviess, Warren, and McCracken. Attorney Chip Adams, licensed since 2006, handles probate and estates and prepares wills and trusts. The firm has practiced in Hopkins County for more than five decades.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateWills Trusts

Office
29 East Center StreetMadisonville, KY 42431

FirmHopkinsville, KY

Ison & Cavanah, LLP

Serves 9 counties

Hopkinsville firm that has served Christian County and nearby Todd, Trigg, Caldwell, Lyon, Hopkins, Calloway, Logan and Muhlenberg counties for over 30 years. Its attorneys handle probate along with wills, living wills, trusts and powers of attorney, and the partners also work in real estate and title matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
612 South Main StreetHopkinsville, KY 42240
Free consultation
See all 12 firms serving Calloway County →

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

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Data sourced from Kentucky statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Kentucky

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

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.

See the Steps

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.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

In Kentucky, informal probate is not availableKRS 395.015; KRS 395.016 (District Court appointment on sworn application; no non-judicial registrar track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

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