Hancock County estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Hancock County's actual court and recording details.
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 Hancock County, probate runs through the District Court at 310 Hawesville School Drive, Hawesville. The court sits in the 38th Judicial Circuit. Hancock County shares the 38th Judicial Circuit with Butler and Ohio.
Full Hancock Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Hancock County · 38th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Office Record
Hancock County
Address
Phone
E-recording
$33 for the first 5 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 5; required form fees may include Legal Process Tax ($4); transfer tax may need separate review.
Full recording details →Verified July 13, 2026 · Source
The District Court for Hancock County is located in Hawesville, Kentucky. Full address, phone, hours, and e-filing details are listed on this page.
Yes. E-filing is available but optional in Hancock County. Many families filing without an attorney prefer paper filing at the District Court; both are accepted.
The District Court schedules probate hearings District Court: 1st & 3rd Tuesday. Civil 9:00 AM; Criminal 9:30 AM; Confidential matters 11:00 AM.. Contact the clerk's office at 270-927-8144 to confirm a hearing date.
No. Kentucky allows estates under $30,000 to use a Petition to Dispense with Administration and skip formal probate. There is no statutory waiting period. Use the Kentucky probate decision tool to see if the estate qualifies.
When there is no will, Kentucky's intestate succession rules decide who inherits. Spouses, children, and parents are prioritized in that order. The Hancock County probate court applies the state rules without variation. See who inherits in Kentucky for the exact order.
A revocable living trust is the cleanest way for most families to skip probate entirely. Assets titled to the trust pass to beneficiaries without court involvement, filing fees, or the Hancock County probate docket. Create a revocable trust online to avoid putting your family through this process later.
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Hancock County.
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Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Hancock County.