How Much Does Probate Cost in Fayette County, Kentucky?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Fayette County can expect.
Probate in Fayette County, Kentucky runs through the District Court at 120 N. Limestone, Suite C-103, Lexington. The court is part of the 22nd Judicial Circuit. The total cost depends on the estate's size, whether the will is contested, and how much professional help the executor uses.
Probate matters are handled through Circuit Civil Division (Probate), District Probate Division, District Civil Division, and Small Claims. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Criminal/Traffic division open 24/7. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
The District Court charges $150KRS 24A.170; KRS 64.012; KRS 24A.185Verified May 7, 2026 to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The District Court accepts e-filing (https://www.kycourts.gov/AOC/Information-and-Technology/Pages/File_Serve(eFiling).aspx). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Kentucky are negotiated, typically 2%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified May 7, 2026 to 4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation runs 2%KRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.Verified May 7, 2026 to 5%KRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value, based on reasonable pay for time and effort. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Kentucky 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%KRS 395.130Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value annually.
Probate in Kentucky typically runs 12 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified May 7, 2026 to 18 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified May 7, 2026, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified May 7, 2026 creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
Legal Sources
- KRS 24A.170; KRS 64.012; KRS 24A.185
- KRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)
- KRS 395.130
- KRS 395.150(1) (compensation may not exceed 5% of personal estate plus 5% of income; real property excluded from base); KRS 395.150(2) (court may allow additional compensation for unusual or extraordinary services). Calculator estimates effective compensation on the gross estate at 2–5%; the 5% statutory rate is not applied directly because real property is excluded from the statutory base.
- KRS 396.011
- Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)
Data sourced from Kentucky statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Fayette County, that means filing fees (about $161 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $161 in Fayette County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Kentucky uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Kentucky allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Kentucky estates under $30,000 can use a Petition to Dispense with Administration and avoid most probate costs. Check the Kentucky self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Fayette County probate.
District Court
Fayette County
120 N. Limestone, Suite C-103
Lexington, KY 40507
Phone:
859-246-2141Hours:
Civil divisions: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Criminal/Traffic: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 only).
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
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