What to Do When Someone Dies in Grant County, Kentucky
Probate in Grant 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 Grant 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
Grant County · 15th Judicial Circuit
Address
224 S. Main St.Williamstown, KY 41097
Phone
Fax
859-824-0183
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optional
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Bond payments require cash, certified, or cashier's check. Pay online via ePay.
Departments
- Circuit Court859-824-4467
- District Court859-823-5251
Located at Grant County Judicial Center. Accessible; parking adjacent and behind.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Grant 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 Grant County, probate runs through the District Court at 224 S. Main St., Williamstown. The court sits in the 15th Judicial Circuit. The same 15th Judicial Circuit also serves Carroll and Owen.
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 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 18 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to move through this process. The 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified Jul 14, 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 Grant County
What probate costs in Grant 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 224 S. Main St., Williamstown. The court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through Circuit Court and District Court. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court: Cash or certified check required for bond. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Kentucky charges $90KRS 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 Jul 14, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. 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 1.5%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source 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 Jul 14, 2026View source 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 Jul 14, 2026View source 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.
Probate in Kentucky typically runs 12 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 18 monthsKRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified Jul 14, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the District Court
Probate documents in Grant County can be filed in person at the District Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. The court sits in the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Filings here are routed through Circuit Court and District Court. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
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 InformationCan 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 Grant County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Accepted payment
Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Bond payments require cash, certified, or cashier's check. Pay online via ePay.
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 Grant County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the County Clerk.
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Grant County
Address
107 N. Main St.Williamstown, KY 41097
Phone
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-4:00 PM; Sat 8:30 AM-12:00 PM
E-recording
Available via Simplifile, CSC, ePN
Recording fees
| Base fee (first 5 pages) | $33 |
| Each page beyond 5 | $3 |
| Legal Process TaxRequiredEach conveyance of real propertyKRS 142.010(1)(d) — $4.00 on each conveyance of real property, collected by the county clerk as a prerequisite to the original filing of the instrument. | $4 |
Base fee of $33.00 covers a deed of up to 5 pages; each additional page beyond 5 is $3.00, and each additional reference to the same instrument is $4.00 (KRS 64.012(1)(a)1). A $4.00 legal process tax (KRS 142.010(1)(d)) applies to each conveyance of real property. Transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 of declared value is collected at recording (KRS 142.050).
KRS 64.012(1)(a), KRS 142.010(1)(d), KRS 142.050
Transfer tax
Real estate transfer tax: $0.50 per $500 of value, or fraction thereof, imposed on the grantor named in the deed (KRS 142.050(2)).. Value for a gift or nominal-consideration deed is the estimated open-market price (KRS 142.050(1)(b)2), not zero. The clerk collects the tax before accepting the deed for recordation, retains 5% as a collection fee, and remits the balance to the county treasurer (KRS 142.050(3)-(4)).
Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Grant County
Kentucky uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Grant 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 — typically 1.5%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Jul 14, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Grant 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.
Northern Kentucky Area Development District Firms
Bouldin Law Firm
FirmBouldin Law Firm has served Covington and Northern Kentucky for more than 20 years. Attorney Michael Bouldin, a Northern Kentucky native with over 30 years of practice experience, offers estate planning services including wills, trusts, and probate administration alongside family law and personal injury.
Location
618 Washington StreetCovington, KY 41011
Phone
(859) 581-6453
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate Administration
Visit site
Gatlin Voelker, PLLC
FirmA Northern Kentucky firm with three former prosecutors bringing over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. Their estate planning and probate practice serves the Covington RiverCenter area and the Greater Cincinnati region.
Location
50 E. Rivercenter Blvd, Suite 1275Covington, KY 41011
Phone
(859) 535-0155
Established
2001
Service Area
6 counties
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationFamily LawCriminal Defense
Visit site
Hoffman Walker & Knauf
FirmServing clients in the Northern Kentucky region since 1996, Hoffman Walker & Knauf helps transfer and liquidate estate assets including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement and investment accounts, real estate, and other assets.
Location
7348 US Highway 42, Suite 202Florence, KY 41042
Phone
(859) 371-2227
Established
1996
Service Area
4 counties
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningFamily LawCriminal Defense
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Lange, Quill & Powers, PLC
FirmNewport firm practicing before the Campbell County District Court since 1979, with an estate practice that grew out of its business-succession counsel. Handles probate administration, will and trust drafting, and estate settlement for families across the Northern Kentucky river counties.
Location
4 West Fourth Street, Suite 200Newport, KY 41071
Phone
(859) 491-1500
Established
1979
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationBusiness Succession
Free consultationVisit site
W. Ron Adams Law, PSC
Solo PracticeErlanger solo firm serving Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties in Northern Kentucky since 1987. W. Ron Adams handles wills, probate, estate planning, and guardianship alongside the firm's well-known bankruptcy practice, and offers free consultations.
Location
488 Erlanger RdErlanger, KY 41018
Phone
(859) 727-1000
Service Area
5 counties
Wills TrustsProbate AdministrationEstate PlanningBankruptcy
Free consultationVisit site
Walker Ante Law, PLLC
FirmNorthern Kentucky estate planning lawyers serving estate planning needs in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, with attorneys licensed in KY and OH.
Location
7000 Houston Road, Suite 38Florence, KY 41042
Phone
(859) 957-1510
Service Area
5 counties
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningFamily LawCivil LitigationSmall Business
Free consultationVisit site
Ziegler & Schneider, P.S.C.
FirmCovington firm serving Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati since 1947, practicing in the probate courts of both states. Ziegler & Schneider's estate planning group handles wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and powers of attorney, and guides executors through probate administration, inventories, accountings, and inheritance tax returns.
Location
541 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 500Covington, KY 41017
Phone
(859) 426-1300
Established
1947
Service Area
7 counties
Estate PlanningWills TrustsProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationBusiness SuccessionReal Estate
Visit site
Statewide Practices
Bunch & Brock, PSC
FirmThe Lexington probate lawyers at Bunch & Brock have been serving Kentuckians since 1976, providing estate planning, probate, trust administration, and business succession planning throughout Kentucky.
Location
126 W. Maxwell St., #200Lexington, KY 40508
Phone
(859) 254-5522
Established
1976
Service Area
Statewide
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningElder LawTrust AdministrationWills Trusts
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Cooley & Offill Law Firm
FirmWith more than 30 years of experience and over 500 probate cases handled, Cooley & Offill handles probate cases statewide from offices in Owensboro, Lexington, and Louisville.
Location
1412 Frederica StreetOwensboro, KY 42301
Phone
(270) 685-5586
Established
1994
Service Area
Statewide
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningWills Trusts
Free consultationVisit site
Kentucky ElderLaw, PLLC
FirmLouisville-based elder law firm with additional offices in Bowling Green and Shepherdsville, serving clients across Kentucky and Indiana. The practice handles Medicaid and long-term care planning, VA benefits, estate recovery defense, and probate and estate administration for aging families and their caregivers.
Location
661 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, Suite 200Louisville, KY 40222
Phone
(502) 581-1111
Service Area
Statewide
Elder LawEstate PlanningMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust Administration
Free consultationVisit site
McBrayer PLLC
FirmMcBrayer PLLC has law offices in Lexington and Louisville and a government relations practice in Frankfort, serving clients throughout Kentucky with estate planning and administration services.
Location
201 E. Main Street, Suite 900Lexington, KY 40507
Phone
(859) 231-8780
Established
1963
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationHealthcare Law
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Triplett & Carothers (Roz Law)
FirmLouisville probate attorneys helping families throughout Kentucky and Indiana with estate planning, probate, trust administration, and asset protection. 5-star rated with 78 reviews.
Location
8004 Lyndon Centre Way, Suite 102Louisville, KY 40222
Phone
(502) 425-5562
Service Area
Statewide
Probate AdministrationEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationAsset Protection
Free consultationVisit site
Stites & Harbison, PLLC
FirmFounded in 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of Kentucky's oldest and largest law firms. The Trusts & Estates Service Group handles estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate and gift tax planning, business succession planning, and fiduciary disputes from offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort.
Location
400 West Market Street, Suite 1800Louisville, KY 40202
Phone
(502) 587-3400
Established
1832
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationElder LawTax PlanningBusiness Succession
Visit site
Thomas, Dodson & Wolford, PLLC
FirmThomas, Dodson & Wolford has a dedicated estate planning team with more than 70 years of combined experience helping individuals and families throughout Kentucky with estate planning, probate, trust administration, and fiduciary and inheritance tax matters.
Location
9200 Shelbyville Road, Suite 611Louisville, KY 40222
Phone
(502) 426-1700
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningProbate AdministrationTrust AdministrationTax PlanningWills Trusts
Visit site
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.
Legal Sources
- KRS 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 Manual
- KRS 391.030 (small estate exemption)
- 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
You open probate by filing a petition with the District Court in Grant County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($90). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs on a $500,000 estate run about $27,283 statewide in Kentucky. For Grant County, that means filing fees ($90 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The District Court in Grant County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Kentucky self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Kentucky probate typically closes in 6–12 months; average estates run 12–18 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
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 Grant County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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