Probate in Union 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 Union 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
Union County · 5th Judicial Circuit
Address
Phone
Hours
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Checks/money orders payable to Union County Circuit Clerk. Credit/debit card fees apply. Pay online via ePay or by phone.
Departments
Located at Union County Courthouse.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
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 Union County, probate runs through the District Court at 121 S. Morgan St., Morganfield. The court sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit. Union County shares the 5th Judicial Circuit with Crittenden and Webster.
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. The 6 monthsKRS 396.011Verified Sep 8, 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 Union 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 121 S. Morgan St., Morganfield. The court is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Probate matters are handled through Circuit Court, Circuit Jury, District Court, and District Jury. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court that affect cost: Call clerk for bonds $10,000 or greater. 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 Sep 8, 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 Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. 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 months to 18 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate documents in Union 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 5th Judicial Circuit.
Filings here are routed through Circuit Court, Circuit Jury, District Court, and District Jury. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
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 InformationNot 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 Union County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Cash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card. Checks/money orders payable to Union County Circuit Clerk. Credit/debit card fees apply. Pay online via ePay or by phone.
District Traffic: Thursday 9:00 AM. District Civil: 2nd & 4th Thursday 1:30 PM. Juvenile: 1st & 3rd Thursday 1:30 PM. Circuit Court: 2nd & 4th Monday 9:00 AM. Family Court (Child Support): 1st & 3rd Wednesday. Family Court (Private Attorney): 2nd & 4th Wednesday. Family Court (Domestic Violence): Every Wednesday 11:00 AM. Family Court (Dependency/Neglect): Every Wednesday 1:30 PM.
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.
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 Union County are recorded with the County Clerk, led by County Clerk Garrick Thompson, at 100 W. Main St., Morganfield, KY 42437. Phone: 270-389-1334.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 119, Morganfield, KY 42437.
The County Clerk charges $46 for the first 5 pages plus $3 for each page beyond 5.
Union County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Union County · County Clerk · Garrick Thompson
Address
Phone
E-recording
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 September 4, 2026 · Source
Kentucky uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Union 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 Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.4%Reasonable compensation; no probate-specific attorney fee statute (SCR 3.130-1.5(a) general rule)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Union 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.
Solo PracticeHenderson, KY
K.T. Williams is a dual-credentialed attorney and CPA serving Henderson County and surrounding western Kentucky with estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, VA benefits planning, and probate services.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more
FirmHenderson, KY
King, Deep and Branaman has served Western Kentucky since 1927, providing nearly a century of legal representation in Henderson and surrounding counties with probate, estate planning, real estate, and business law services.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmHenderson, KY
With over 55 years of continuous practice in Henderson, Trimble, Lindsay & Shea provides probate and estate law services including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and estate administration. Located next to the Henderson County Judicial Center.
PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningProbate AdministrationReal EstateWills Trusts
FirmLexington, KY
The Lexington probate lawyers at Bunch & Brock have been serving Kentuckians since 1976, providing estate planning, probate, trust administration, and business succession planning throughout Kentucky.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmOwensboro, KY
With 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.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmLouisville, KY
Louisville-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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawMedicaid PlanningProbate Administration
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.
Data sourced from Kentucky statutes and official state code. How we research.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Cost comparison vs. hiring an attorney
This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Step-by-step tools for families in Union County, Kentucky.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
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Browse vetted Kentucky attorneys handling probate matters.
