Detailed Answer — How appointment works and what you must do

When a person dies without a will (intestate) in Kentucky, the probate court in the county where the decedent lived oversees administration of the estate. The court appoints an administrator (also called a personal representative) to collect assets, pay debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property under Kentucky intestacy law.

1. Who can be appointed? Priority rules

Kentucky gives priority to certain close relatives when appointing an administrator. In simple terms, the usual priority order is:

• Surviving spouse (if any) — often the first choice to serve.
• Adult children of the decedent.
• Other next of kin (parents, adult siblings, more remote heirs) if no spouse or children are willing/able.

If multiple people with the same priority apply (for example, two adult children), they may agree on one person, or the court will decide — often giving preference to the person most willing and able to serve. The court will refuse or remove a nominee if the person is unfit, incapacitated, or subject to a conflict that prevents proper administration.

2. Where to start — filing the petition

Steps to begin the appointment process:

1. Contact the probate clerk in the county where your father lived. Ask the clerk for the forms and local rules for filing a petition for administration or appointment of a personal representative.
2. Prepare and file a Petition for Administration (or Application for Letters of Administration). The petition asks the court to appoint an administrator, identifies heirs, lists assets you know about, and states whether the decedent left a will (in this case, none).
3. Attach a certified copy of the death certificate and any documents proving your relationship (e.g., birth certificate, your father’s marriage certificate if relevant).
4. Provide the names and addresses of the decedent’s heirs and beneficiaries so the court can notify them. Kentucky law requires notice to interested persons and may require publication if heirs are unknown.
5. Pay the required filing fee (amount varies by county).

3. Bond, waivers, and Letters of Administration

The court commonly requires an administrator to post a surety bond to protect the estate from mismanagement. The court may waive the bond if all heirs consent in writing or if the estate falls within a statutory exception. After the court approves the appointment and any bond, it issues Letters of Administration (also called Letters of Personal Representative). These letters give you legal authority to act for the estate — to access bank accounts, sell property if necessary, and handle creditor claims.

4. Duties after appointment

As administrator you must:

• Collect and secure estate assets.
• Provide notice to creditors and pay valid debts, expenses, and funeral costs in the order required by Kentucky law.
• Prepare and file an inventory of estate assets with the probate court.
• File required tax returns and pay taxes owed by the decedent or the estate.
• Distribute remaining assets according to Kentucky intestacy rules.
• File a final accounting with the court and ask for discharge once administration is complete.

5. Intestacy distribution (what happens after debts are paid)

When no will exists, Kentucky’s intestate succession rules determine who receives property. In broad terms:

• If the decedent is survived by a spouse and children, distributions depend on whether the children are also the spouse’s children and on other family facts.
• If no spouse or descendants exist, property passes to parents, siblings, or more remote relatives.

Because intestacy rules are fact-specific, consult the Kentucky Revised Statutes or a probate attorney to determine exact shares for your family’s situation. You can search Kentucky statutes at the legislature’s site: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/statutes/.

6. Small estate procedures and alternatives

Kentucky has procedures for small estates that simplify or avoid full administration in some cases. Eligibility often depends on the estate’s value and the types of assets (for example, if most assets are bank accounts payable-on-death or jointly owned). Check the county probate clerk’s guidance or the Kentucky statutes for small estate thresholds and simplified procedures. Your county clerk can tell you whether a simplified affidavit or small estate affidavit can be used to collect assets without full administration.

7. Contests, disagreements, and delays

Other heirs can object to your appointment or to matters such as bond amount, inventory, and distributions. Objections may delay administration. If a dispute arises about who should serve, the court will hold a hearing and decide based on statutory priority and the best interests of the estate.

8. Practical timeline

There is no fixed timeline, but typical steps proceed as follows if there are no major disputes: filing petition (week 1–4), appointment and issuance of Letters (often within weeks of filing), creditor notice period (months depending on statute), inventory and administration (several months), final accounting and distribution (can take 6–18 months). Complex estates or contested matters can extend this timeline considerably.

Helpful Hints

• Contact the probate clerk in the county where your father lived before filing — clerks provide local forms, filing instructions, and fee schedules.
• Get multiple certified copies of the death certificate early; many institutions require them.
• Secure assets immediately (lockboxes, safes, vehicles, bank accounts) to prevent loss or unauthorized transfers.
• Do not distribute assets or close accounts until you have Letters of Administration, unless a bank accepts a certified death certificate and documentation for a single account.
• Collect documentation proving relationships (birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption records) to support the petition and the intestacy distribution.
• Ask heirs to sign waivers of bond or consent to your appointment if they agree — consents can speed the court process and reduce bond requirements.
• Keep careful records and receipts for all estate transactions — you will need them for the inventory and final accounting.
• If the estate owns real property or complex assets, consider consulting a probate attorney to avoid mistakes that can be costly or time-consuming to fix.
• Use official resources for statute and form information: Kentucky Legislature statutes (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/statutes/) and the Kentucky Court of Justice website (https://kycourts.gov).