Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement]

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] is a commonly used form within Kansas. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement]

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement]:

• This form pertains to the State of Kansas

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Kansas’s Form 555 - Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Kansas form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Kansas probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form 555, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in KS are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form 555 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form 555 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

👉 Find and Contact your Local Probate Court

👉 What is a Domicile Jurisdiction?

Sponsored by Atticus App

Need help with Kansas Probate?

Join all the other families who have trusted Atticus through probate, and experience the peace that comes from knowing you're taking the right steps, spending the least amount of money, and not wasting a single second.

Start for free

Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Kansas.

5 reasons you should submit 555 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Kansas can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Kansas. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Kansas is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Kansas probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Kansas probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form 555, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Kansas probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Kansas.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form 555 - Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Kansas probate court office.

Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement] is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Kansas-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Kansas Form 555 - Petition For Final Settlement [And Approval Of Valid Settlement Agreement]. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

555 IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF ______________ COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Estate of } } _______________, Deceased } No. _____________ (Pursuant to K.S.A. Chapter 59) } PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT __________________, Petitioner, states: 1.Petitioner is a resident of ___________ County, Kansas, whose address is _____________________________________________________________. 2.Petitioner is the duly appointed, qualified and acting Executor of the Estate of ______________, deceased, by virtue of Letters Testamentary granted by the court on ________________; more than six months have expired since the date of death of the decedent; more than four months have expired since the first published notice to creditors; actual notice has been given by mail to all known or reasonably ascertainable creditors; and the Estate has been fully administered. 3._____________ died testate at ____________________________ on ______________; _____________ left a will dated _______________, which was admitted to probate and record in this court on _______________; no appeal has been taken from the Order Admitting the Will t o Probate, t he time for appeal has expired, no later will has been offered for probate and the time for offering such a will has expired. 4.________________ was survived by the following named persons who, so far as known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, are all of _______________’s heirs: Name Age Relationship Residence Address Mailing Address 5.Decedent had no spouse, children, issue of deceased children or other heirs who survived the decedent other than the persons above named. PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT 6.The names, ages, relationships, residences and addresses of the devisees and legatees so far as known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained are: Name Age Relationship Residence Address Mailing Address 7.The following heirs, devisees and legatees have a legal disability or are in the military service. The names and addresses of their duly appointed personal representatives, so far as known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained are: Heir, Devisee, or Legatee’s Name Name of Personal Representative Representative Capacity Address of Personal Presentative 8.A full, true and correct account by the Petitioner of the administration of the Estate is marked “Exhibit A” and incorporated by reference. 9.________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 10.All demands against the Estate of the decedent have been paid as authorized by law or the orders of the court, and the time for filing of demands has expired. 11.The Petitioner requests allowances and reimbursable expenses be paid as follows: (Include requests for executor compensation, attorney fees, etc. Include a breakdown for how each amount requested to be paid was determined and to whom the amount should be paid) _______________________________________________________________________________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT 12.The decedent owned at the time of death, the following described real estate situated in _______________ County, Kansas. ________________________________________________________________________ 13.Choose one: __ Decedent's spouse, ______________, consented in writing to the Last Will and Testament of the decedent, as determined by the court in its Order Admitting Decedent's Will to Probate, and Determining Valid Consent of Spouse. __ Decedent was unmarried and as such no ‘Consent of Spouse” exists 14.The Last Will and Testament of the decedent should be construed to distribute the Estate as follows: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ PETITIONER REQUESTS that Petitioner's acts be approved; Petitioner's account be settled and allowed; heirs be determined; the Will be construed and the estate be assigned to the persons entitled thereto; the court find the allowances requested for fees and expenses are reasonable, should be allowed and ordered paid; the court costs be determined and ordered paid; the administration of the Estate be closed; upon the filing of receipts the Petitioner be finally discharged as the Executor of the Estate of ___________, deceased, and __________________________________ be released from further liability. ________________________________________ Petitioner Signature Name: __________________________________ Address: ________________________________ Phone: __________________________________ Email: __________________________________ SIGNED AND SWORN to (or affirmed) before me on _____________________. _______________________ Notary Public (SEAL) My Appointment Expires:_________________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT EXHIBIT A Account of ____________, Executor of the estate of ____________, deceased, for the period of ____________________ RECEIPTS Date Received From Explanation Amount Total Receipts.....................................................$ _______________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT DISBURSEMENTS Date Paid To Purpose Amount Total Disbursements .................................................................. $_____________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT RECAPITULATION Tot al Cash Receipts ............................. $_____________ Total Cash Disbursements ................... $_____________ Cash Balance on Hand ........................ $_____________ The above stated cash balance on hand is carried in a ____________ account with ____________________, in ________________, under the name and style of _____________, Executor of the Estate of _____________, deceased. Including the cash balance belonging to the Estate of $__________, the Executor accounts for the following items of personal property belonging to the Estate of the decedent as follows: (a)Cash Balance $__________________ (b)Personal Property in Executor's custody: (1)____________________________________________________ (2)____________________________________________________ (3)____________________________________________________ (4)____________________________________________________ (5)____________________________________________________ (c)Personal property previouslydistributed pursuant to _____________________________________ is: (1)____________________________________________________ (2)____________________________________________________ (3)____________________________________________________ (4)____________________________________________________ (5)____________________________________________________ PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT Reference K.S.A. 53-601; 59-1401; 59-1501; 59-1502; 59-2204; 59-2247; 79-303; 79-3220(c); Internal Revenue Code Section 641(b); S. Ct. Rule 111. Time The Petition for Final Settlement must be filed in accordance with K.S.A. 59-1501. Comment The Petition should recite the names, ages, relationships and addresses of all heirs, devisees and legatees, irrespective of their entitlement to benefits, so far as known or can with reasonable diligence be ascertained. If no interested party is in the service, an Affidavit Pursuant to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Form 523, must be filed on or before the date of the hearing on the Petition. Similarly, if interested parties are in the service or under any legal disability, the Written Defenses of the Attorney Representing Interests of Persons Pursuant to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, must be filed. See generally, Forms 522 and 528. Notice must also be given to all conservators, if any. Only the probate assets are listed in paragraph 12. PETITION FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT