Quick answer: Kentucky probate is filed with the county District Court, and the court cost to open an estate is modest — roughly $50 to open plus a court technology fee, broadly uniform across the state's 120 counties. It's a minor cost next to the 5% executor fee and, for non-exempt heirs, the inheritance tax.
How Kentucky probate court fees work
The estate is opened by filing with the District Court in the county where the person lived — Jefferson (Louisville), Fayette (Lexington), Kenton, Boone, Warren and the state's 120 counties. Kentucky's court filing fees are set by Supreme Court rule and are broadly the same statewide, so the amount depends on the type of filing, not the size of the estate.
| Court-related cost | Approximate figure |
|---|---|
| Open the estate (petition) | ~$50 + court technology fee |
| Publication / notice to creditors | ~$50–$150 (newspaper sets price) |
| Certified copies | Small per-item charge |
| Bond premium | Only if the court orders a bond |
Approximate figures; the Administrative Office of the Courts sets the current schedule. Confirm the exact amount with your county District Court clerk before filing.
Other costs to plan for
- Notice to creditors — publication in a local newspaper; the newspaper sets the price. The 6-month creditor claim period runs from the qualification of the personal representative.
- Bond — not required by default (KRS 395.130); a premium applies only if the court orders one.
- Inheritance-tax return — filed with the Kentucky Department of Revenue when a Class B or C beneficiary owes tax (the tax itself, 4–16%, is the real cost).
The real costs are the fee and the inheritance tax
The filing fee is small next to the 5% executor fee and, for a cousin or friend, the inheritance tax (4–16%). And Kentucky has no estate tax. See the whole picture in the Kentucky probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Kentucky probate cost calculator.