The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Kentucky with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
When the clock starts in Kentucky
The single fact that governs every other date on this page: in Kentucky the creditor-claim period runs from the appointment of the personal representative (claims), and the date of qualification (inventory).
This is not the same in every state. Some states run the period from the date of death, others from the date letters are issued to the personal representative, others from first publication of the notice to creditors. A deadline calculated from the wrong event is simply wrong, and a missed claim deadline is not curable.
Kentucky deadlines at a glance
| Deadline | Kentucky | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Ninety days from the date the personal representative qualifies. The inventory is filed under seal and is confidential except as the statute provides. | Ky. Rev. Stat. §395.250(1)(a) |
| Creditor claim period | Six months after the appointment of the personal representative. Kentucky runs this period from the appointment itself rather than from publication of a notice to creditors. | Ky. Rev. Stat. §396.011(1) |
| Outer claim bar | Two years after the decedent's death where no personal representative has been appointed. | Ky. Rev. Stat. §396.011(1) |
The inventory deadline, as written
It shall be the duty of a personal representative of a decedent to file an inventory no later than ninety (90) days from the time of qualifying as personal representative.
— Ky. Rev. Stat. §395.250(1)(a)
The creditor-claim period, as written
All claims against a decedent's estate which arose before the death of the decedent… are barred against the estate, the personal representative, and the heirs and devisees, unless presented within six (6) months after the appointment of the personal representative, or where no personal representative has been appointed, within two (2) years after the decedent's death.
— Ky. Rev. Stat. §396.011(1)
What this page does not state
Where a figure is not recorded above, it is because it was not found in the statute cited — not because no deadline exists. Court rules, local rules, and standing orders set additional dates that are not part of the statutory text, and those are not reproduced here. Confirm every date against the Kentucky court handling the estate.
Sources
- Statutes: Ky. Rev. Stat. §395.250(1)(a); Ky. Rev. Stat. §396.011(1); Ky. Rev. Stat. §396.011(1)
- Authority: Kentucky General Assembly, Kentucky Revised Statutes (apps.legislature.ky.gov)
- Source URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51057
- Verified: 2026-08-16
Related Kentucky guides
- How Long Does Probate Take in Kentucky? — the overall timeline these deadlines sit inside.
- How much does probate cost in Kentucky? — the cost side.
- How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Kentucky? — compensation for the work.
- Kentucky Probate Fee Sheet — printable one-page reference.
- Executor Duties: The Complete Checklist — what the role involves.
Executor deadlines in other states
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This page reproduces Kentucky statutory deadlines as published at the time of verification. It is not legal advice. Statutes are amended, court rules impose additional dates, and application depends on the specific estate. Confirm every date with the Kentucky court or a licensed Kentucky attorney.