Free Tools and Information
for Kentucky Consumers

Kentucky Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Kentucky PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Your County: Key information about your local probate court (District Court in Kentucky) for Your County.
• How Probate Works in Kentucky: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Your County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Kentucky Probate Forms and the
    • Kentucky State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Kentucky: Learn how to use Kentucky's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Kentucky, there's no Affidavit procedure available for small estates. There is a summary probate procedure available for estates that are less than $30,000, there is no Will, and there is a surviving spouse. This procedure is also available if there is no surviving spouse and someone else has paid at least $30,000 in preferred claims.

    Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann 391.030, 395.455

• Kentucky Estate Taxes:

  • Kentucky, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Kentucky. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

---

Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Your County, Kentucky (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Kentucky BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Kentucky law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Kentucky?:  

    • Yes. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 427.170

  • Kentucky Homestead Exemption

    • Real or personal property used as residence to $5,000; sale proceeds exempt

  • Kentucky Vehicle Exemption

    • $2,500

• Kentucky BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

---

Kentucky Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Kentucky: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $39 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $665 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Kentucky, the duration of benefits depends on the state's unemployment rate when you apply. The maximum period for which you can receive benefits ranges from 12 to 24 weeks. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Kentucky.
  • Kentucky Career Center 
    • 502-564-2900
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Kentucky Wage & Hour Law

  • Kentucky Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in Kentucky is the same as the federal minimum wage: $7.25 an hour.

      Jefferson County Minimum Wage

      The minimum wage in Jefferson County is $7.25 an hour, the state minimum wage. Kentucky law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage. 

      Louisville Minimum Wage

      The minimum wage in Louisville is $7.25 an hour. The city of Louisville tried to raise its minimum wage in 2015 (to $8.15 to start, with increases thereafter). However, Kentucky’s Supreme Court struck down this ordinance, finding that cities and local governments can’t raise the minimum wage for local employees. As a result, Louisville employees are entitled only to the federal minimum wage, currently $7.25.

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Kentucky and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Kentucky. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Kentucky.

    • In Kentucky, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

---

Democracy In Kentucky, Your County, your city 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Kentucky.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Kentucky Voter Registration Status: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/
• Gerrymandering in Kentucky: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 
  •  

---

Find a Lawyer in Kentucky

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • Legal Aid Network of Kentucky 

---