What to Do When Someone Dies in Mason County, Kentucky

How probate works in Mason 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

Mason County District Court

Mason County · 19th Judicial District

Hours

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

Office

100 West 3rd Street, Maysville, KY 41056

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.

Accepted payment

  • At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card.Personal checks must be drawn on a local bank; cashier's checks are accepted. Card payments carry a processing fee.

Hearing schedule

  • District civil, small claims and domestic: first and third Mondays at 1 p.m.

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Mason 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 Mason County, probate runs through the District Court at 100 West 3rd Street, Maysville. The court sits in the 19th Judicial District. The same 19th Judicial District also serves Bracken and Fleming.

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 Mason County

What probate costs in Mason 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 100 West 3rd Street, Maysville. The court is part of the 19th 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 Mason County, Kentucky are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 19th Judicial District.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Circuit Court.

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 Mason 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 Mason County

In Mason 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

Mason 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

Mason County · Mason County Coroner

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Mason 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 Mason County are recorded with the County Clerk at 27 West 3rd Street, Maysville, KY 41056. Phone: 1-606-564-3341. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 234, Maysville, KY 41056-0234.

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

Mason County accepts electronic recording through Hopdox, CSC, Simplifile and ePN.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Mason County

Hours

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

Office

27 West 3rd Street, Maysville, KY 41056

E-recording

available via Hopdox, CSC, Simplifile and ePN

Open in Google Maps

Mail

P.O. Box 234 Maysville, KY 41056-0234

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Mason County

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

FirmMaysville, KY

Fox, Wood, Wright & Estill

Since 1930 · Serves 10 counties

A Maysville firm in Mason County that serves clients from Vanceburg, Brooksville, Mt. Olivet, Carlisle, Lexington, Ashland, Covington, Florence and Alexandria. It guides personal representatives and beneficiaries through Kentucky probate, handling estate administration from filing through final distribution, and prepares wills, trusts and powers of attorney. In practice since 1930.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateReal EstateTitle Services

Office
24 West Third StreetMaysville, KY 41056

Solo PracticeMaysville, KY

Law Office of Bryan Keith Underwood

Serves 1 county

Bryan Keith Underwood, admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1999, runs a general practice from downtown Maysville in Mason County. His registered practice areas include probate, wills and estates, and trusts and estates, alongside criminal law, family law and personal injury.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateCriminal DefenseFamily Law

Office
132 W 3rd StMaysville, KY 41056

FirmMaysville, KY

Royse, Zweigart, Kirk, Brammer & Caudill

Since 1935 · Serves 1 county

A Maysville general practice serving Mason County and the surrounding counties. In probate it opens the estate, handles the court filings, determines any estate taxes and liquidates assets, including stocks and real estate; it also handles guardianship, conservatorship and Medicaid planning. Eugene C. Royse founded the firm in 1935, and it has been at 215 Stanley Reed Court since 1982.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawConservatorshipand 4 more

Office
215 Stanley Reed CourtMaysville, KY 41056

Solo PracticeGeorgetown, KY

Larmour Law Offices, PSC

Serves 14 counties

Georgetown solo practice on East Main Street serving Scott County and thirteen surrounding central Kentucky counties. Ashley Larmour helps executors and administrators inventory assets, pay debts and taxes, distribute property and resolve beneficiary disputes, and is regularly appointed public administrator. Probate consultations are $175 for an hour.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationConservatorshipand 3 more

Office
102 East Main Street, Suite 7Georgetown, KY 40324
Virtual consultations

FirmCarlisle, KY

The Law Office of Andrea N. Bussell, PLLC

Since 2020 · Serves 13 counties

Carlisle and Paris law office serving Nicholas, Bourbon, and neighboring Central and Eastern Kentucky counties from Scott and Fayette to Mason and Bracken. Andrea Bussell handles probate administration and estate settlement, guardianship and conservatorship, and wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Initial consultations cost $75 and can be held in person or by Zoom.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
106 E Main StCarlisle, KY 40311
Virtual consultations

FirmOwensboro, KY

Cooley & Offill Law Firm

Since 1994 · Serves the whole state

Owensboro firm founded in 1994 that handles probate statewide from offices in Owensboro, Lexington and Louisville. Its attorneys guide executors and administrators through probate, carry out trust administration tasks, and resolve will contests over undue influence, capacity or unclear language. The firm reports handling well over 500 probate cases.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more

Office
1412 Frederica StreetOwensboro, KY 42301
Free consultation
See all 11 firms serving Mason 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

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.

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