Kentucky Probate Form AOC-820

Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will

Everything you need to know about Kentucky Form AOC-820, including helpful tips, fast facts & deadlines, how to fill it out, where to submit it and other related KY probate forms.

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About Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will

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 Appointment Of Trustee Under Will is a commonly used form within Kentucky. 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 Appointment Of Trustee Under Will

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will:

  • This form pertains to the State of Kentucky

  • The current version of this form was last revised on August 1, 2011

  • The official Kentucky source for this form is here.

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 Kentucky’s Form AOC-820 - Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

How to file Form AOC-820

Step 1 - Download the correct Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 AOC-820, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in KY 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 AOC-820 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 AOC-820 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 Appointment Of Trustee Under Will 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?

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When Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will is due

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 Kentucky.

5 reasons you should submit AOC-820 as quickly as possible:

  1. The sooner you begin, the faster Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form AOC-820, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

How to Download, Open, and Edit Form AOC-820 Online

Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form AOC-820 - Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will 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 Kentucky probate court office.

Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will 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 Kentucky-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

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Did you know?

  • Form AOC-820 - Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will is a probate form in Kentucky.

  • Kentucky has multiple types of probate and the necessary forms depend on the unique aspects of each estate, such as type and value of assets, whether there was a valid will, who is serving as the personal representative or executor, and even whether or not they also live in Kentucky.

  • During probate, all personal representatives and executives in are required to submit a detailed inventory of assets that must separate non-probate assets from probate assets.

  • Probate in Kentucky, especially without guidance, can take years to finish and cost upwards of $14,000.

Frequently Asked Questions about Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will

Probate is the government’s way of making sure that when a person dies, the right stuff goes to the right people (including the taxes the government wants).

All of that stuff is collectively known as someone’s “estate”, and it’s the job of the executor or personal representative to fill out all the forms and complete all the required steps to formally dissolve the estate. 

To get instant clarity on the entire probate process and get an idea of the steps, timeline, and best practices, read the Atticus Beginner’s Guide to Probate

The best place? Create an account in Atticus to start getting estate-specific advice. 

You may need a lawyer, you may not, and paying for one when you didn’t need it really hurts. Atticus makes sure you make  the best decisions (plus you can write it off as an executor expense).

We’ve also created a list of other probate services. Be sure to check it out!

An executor is named in someone’s will, and if the deceased didn’t have a will, then the spouse or other close family relative usually steps up to fulfill the role. If no one wants to do it, then a judge will appoint someone. 

The executor is responsible for the complete management of the probate process, including major responsibilities such as:

  • Creating an inventory of all probate assets.

  • Filling out all necessary forms

  • Paying off all estate debts and taxes

  • Submitting reports to the court and beneficiaries as requested

And much more. This process often stretches longer than a year. 

For an idea of what separates executors who succeed from those who make this way harder than it should be, visit our article, Executors of an Estate:
What they do & secrets to succeeding
.

The Exact Text on Form AOC-820

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Kentucky Form AOC-820 - Petition For Appointment Of Trustee Under Will. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

Case No. ___________________ Court _______________________ County ______________________ IN RE: Estate of _______________________________________________________________________________ Residence: ____________________________________________________________________________, Kentucky Social Security Number: _________________________ Date of Death: _________________________, 2______ The will was probated in ________________________ County on ______________________, 2______, of which the original or an accurate copy is submitted herewith to the Court for examination. Petitioner, _______________________________________________________________________, says that the statements in the caption are true, and the names of the life tenant and remaindermen of the instant trust are as follows (Write name, interest, age and address of each remainderman): _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Petitioner states that the Trust, created under item _________ of the Will, consist of the following assets: Personal Estate $____________ Annual Income from Personal Estate $____________ Real Estate $____________ Annual Rents of Real Estate $____________ Petitioner states that the applicant is indebted to or owes decedent ______________________________. Petitioner prays the Court that _________________________________________________________________ be appointed as Trustee under said will, and __________________________________________________________ is offered as surety. Petitioner says that all statements in the foregoing petition are true. Date: _________________________, 2_______ ____________________________________________ Petitioner’s Signature Petitioner’s Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Petitioner’s Social Security Number: ________________________________________________________________ Petition For APPointment oF trustee under Will AOC-820 Doc. Code: PAT & OAT Rev. 8-11 Page 1 of 2 Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Justice www.courts.ky.gov KRS Chapter 386 This certifies that the within petition was prepared or subscribed by the undersigned in accordance with the meaning and tenor of CR 11. ________________________________________ _________________________________________ Attorney’s Signature Address/Phone Number Subscribed and sworn to before me by petitioner on ____________________________________, 2_______. My commission will expire___________________, 2_______. _____________________________________________ __________________________________________ Notary Public County, Kentucky AOC-820 Doc. Code: PAT & OAT Rev. 8-11 Page 2 of 2 Subscribed and sworn to before me by above-named affiant on _________________________________, 2_______. ______________________________________Clerk By:__________________________________________D.C. IN RE: Estate of__________________________________________________________________________, a decedent ORDER Petition filed in open Court on _________________________________________, 2_______. Upon hearing, the Court appoints _______________________________________________________________________________, Trustee of said estate, and fixes bond in the sum of $___________________. Date: __________________________, 2_______ _____________________________________________ Judge’s Signature WAIVER OF NOTICE The undersigned hereby waive notice of hearing and the right to appoint and request the court to make the appointment herein applied for: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ AFFIDAVIT OF SURETY Affiant, _________________________________________________________________________________________, states that affiant is a resident of ___________________________ County of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and that affiant has fee simple to and beyond amount of liens or encumbrances and homestead exemptions and subject to execution, real estate of value of $___________located at ______________________________________________ in affiant’s own name. Value of Property: $________________ Encumbrances and $________________ Homestead. ___________________________________________ ______________________________________ Surety’s Signature Phone Number Surety’s Address: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

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