What to Do When Someone Dies in Jefferson County, Kentucky

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

What probate costsHow to fileDeath certificatesTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

Probate Court Record

Jefferson County District Court

Jefferson County · 30th Judicial District

Hours

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

Office

600 West Jefferson Street, Room 2063, Louisville, KY 40202

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

Court forms packet

Open in Google Maps

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.

Hearing schedule

  • Probate motion hour: Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for attorneys and 2 p.m. for self-represented parties.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, probate runs through the District Court at 600 West Jefferson Street, Room 2063, Louisville. The court sits in the 30th 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 Jefferson County

What probate costs in Jefferson 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 600 West Jefferson Street, Room 2063, Louisville. The court is part of the 30th 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 Jefferson County, Kentucky are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 30th Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Mental Health Division, Circuit Court, and District Civil and Small Claims.

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 Jefferson County Self-Filing Assessment.

Jefferson County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Uncontested appointment petitions are decided on the papers

From September 8, 2026, an uncontested petition to appoint a fiduciary in a decedent's estate is reviewed without a hearing unless the court sets one. The court's checklist and affidavit of compliance, with the AOC forms it lists, are filed with the petition.

Source

Motion hour filing deadline

A motion for the Tuesday probate motion hour is filed by noon on the preceding Thursday; a later motion goes to the next motion hour. Motion hour can be attended remotely.

Source

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 Jefferson County

In Jefferson 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

Jefferson 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

Jefferson County · Jefferson County Coroner's Office

Office

10511 LaGrange Road, Louisville, KY 40223

Open in Google Maps

Verified November 1, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County are recorded with the County Clerk at 527 West Jefferson Street, Room 204, Louisville, KY 40202. Phone: 1-502-574-5785. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.

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

Jefferson County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Jefferson County

Hours

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

Office

527 West Jefferson Street, Room 204, Louisville, KY 40202

E-recording

available via CSC, ePN and Simplifile

Open in Google Maps

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 Jefferson County

Kentucky uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

FirmShelbyville, KY

Berkley Oliver, PLLC

Since 2017 · Serves 5 counties

Shelbyville firm founded in 2017 by Joshua G. Berkley and Amy E. Oliver, serving Shelby, Spencer, Anderson, Franklin and Jefferson counties. It guides executors and the families of people who died without a will through Kentucky probate, from appointment to closing the estate, and handles Medicaid planning, guardianships and conservatorships.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 3 more

Office
77 Mack Walters Rd, Suite 200Shelbyville, KY 40065
Free consultation

Solo PracticeLouisville, KY

Brightwell Elder and Probate Law

Since 1998 · Serves 7 counties

Louisville and New Albany, Indiana practice of Bruce A. Brightwell, taking probate cases in Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Meade, Hardin and Nelson counties. He walks executors from opening the estate through debts, taxes and distribution to closing, and represents clients in probate litigation and will disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more

Office
713 East Market Street, Suite 100Louisville, KY 40202

FirmLouisville, KY

Dodd & Dodd Attorneys, PLLC

Since 1869 · Serves 6 counties

A Louisville firm on La Grange Road serving Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer and Hardin counties. Its attorneys administer estates from inventory and appraisals through state and federal tax returns and distribution, advise executors and trustees, and litigate will contests, trust mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty. The firm was founded in 1869.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
12004 La Grange RoadLouisville, KY 40223

FirmLouisville, KY

Eddins Domine Law Group, PLLC

Serves 1 county

Louisville law office on Westport Road in Jefferson County. Its attorneys handle the probate administration and settlement of estates, helping executors and, where there is no will, the family member who petitions to be appointed, and draft wills with trusts and guardian designations, powers of attorney, and living wills. The firm also practices family, business, and real estate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateFamily LawReal EstateWills Trusts

Office
3950 Westport RoadLouisville, KY 40207

FirmLouisville, KY

English Law Group

Since 1983 · Serves 2 counties

A family-run firm with offices in Louisville (Jefferson County) and Mt. Washington (Bullitt County). Partners Colleen English Balderson and Mike English help executors and administrators inventory assets, pay debts, file in probate court and file estate tax returns, and sell real estate in an estate. Robert English founded the firm in 1983.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateSpecial Needs PlanningBusiness Lawand 3 more

Office
10213 Linn Station Road, Suite 2Louisville, KY 40223
Virtual consultations

Solo PracticeLouisville, KY

Gibson Law Offices

Serves 1 county

A Louisville practice off the Watterson Expressway in Jefferson County, run by attorney Ken Gibson. It handles probate and intestate administration, guides executors through the inventory of assets, and litigates contested wills and probate disputes. Probate administration is billed as a fee-based service rather than a percentage of the estate, and the initial consultation is free.

PracticesProbateProbate LitigationCriminal DefenseFamily Lawand 3 more

Office
3339 Taylorsville RoadLouisville, KY 40205
Free consultation
See all 18 firms serving Jefferson 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Show 4 more sources

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.

Get the Answer

Hire a Kentucky Probate Attorney

Browse vetted Kentucky attorneys handling probate matters.

Browse firms

All Kentucky tools

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Burke & Herbert Bank

Burke & Herbert Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast and Southeast

Burke & Herbert Bank

City National WV

City National WV logo

Bank serving the Southeast and Midwest

City National WV

Commonwealth CU

Commonwealth CU logo

Credit Union serving Kentucky

Commonwealth CU

CSAA Insurance

CSAA Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

Delta Community CU

Delta Community CU logo

Credit Union serving the Southeast, Southwest, and more

Delta Community CU

Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

Erie Insurance

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Fifth Third Bank

FirstBank (Tennessee)

FirstBank (Tennessee) logo

Bank serving the Southeast

FirstBank (Tennessee)

GE Credit Union

GE Credit Union logo

Credit Union serving Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

GE Credit Union

Heartland

Heartland logo

Bank serving Ohio and Kentucky

Heartland

Huntington

Huntington logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Huntington

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.

Learn more