Overview
Sedgwick County is located in Kansas with a population of approximately 528,000. The 18th Judicial District Court, Probate Department handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Kansas probate is governed by Chapter 59 of the Kansas Statutes. The process begins with filing a Petition for Probate of Will or Petition for Administration to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Kansas offers a Small Estate Affidavit procedure for estates valued at $75,000 or less (excluding homestead and exempt property). This allows heirs to collect personal property without full court administration. There is also a Refusal to Grant Letters procedure for very small estates where assets are needed to pay funeral and last illness expenses.
Kansas law sets statutory attorney and executor fees based on the size of the estate, though these can be negotiated or set by the court.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Sedgwick County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
18th Judicial District Court
Probate matters in Sedgwick County are handled at the Sedgwick County Juvenile Courthouse.
Address: 1900 E. Morris St, Wichita, KS 67211
Phone: (316) 660-5900 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Probate Department is located at the Juvenile Courthouse. Security screening is required for entry.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available at the courthouse. The courthouse is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $75,000 or less, you may be able to use an affidavit to transfer personal property.
- Refusal to Grant Letters: For very small estates where assets are needed for funeral/medical bills.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Probate of Will or Petition for Administration with the 18th Judicial District Court. Include:
- Original Will and codicils (if any)
- Petition for Appointment of Personal Representative
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee (approximately $133.50)
- Oath of Personal Representative
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys in Sedgwick County. Self-represented litigants may file in paper.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in Sedgwick County (such as The Ark Valley News) once a week for three consecutive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition, typically 4-6 weeks after filing. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors: Creditors have four months from the date of first publication to file claims.
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 30 days of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Final Accounting and Petition for Final Settlement to close the estate.
Local Requirements
Sedgwick County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Mandatory for attorneys; optional for pro se litigants.
- Local Fees: Sedgwick County charges a small local surcharge on filing fees.
- Publication: Notice is typically published in The Ark Valley News or The Derby Informer.
- Hearings: Many routine probate hearings are held on specific docket days. Check with the clerk for the current schedule.
Consult the 18th Judicial District Local Court Rules for specific formatting and procedural requirements.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Sedgwick County)
- Petition for Probate/Administration: approximately $133.50
- Determination of Descent: approximately $71.50
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $12.50 per copy
- Publication costs: approximately $150-$200 depending on the newspaper
Fees are subject to change. Check the current Docket Fee Schedule.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-12 months
- Average estates: 9-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
The four-month creditor claim period sets a minimum duration for most formal probates.
Local Resources
Sedgwick County Court Resources
- Court Website: 18th Judicial District Court
- Probate Department: Probate Info
- Kansas Judicial Council Forms: Probate Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Wichita Bar Association: (316) 263-2251 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Kansas Legal Services: (316) 265-9681 — kansaslegalservices.org
Publication
- The Ark Valley News: (316) 755-0821 — Official county newspaper
- The Derby Informer: (316) 788-4006