Kentucky law recognizes certain claims against a decedent’s estate as “preferred,”
such as 1) costs and expenses of administration, 2) funeral expenses, 3) debts or
taxes with a preference under Kentucky or federal law, and 4) all other claims under
Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 396.095 (2014). The district court will transfer the decedent’s
personal estate to a “preferred creditor” up to the amount of the paid claim if:
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the decedent’s estate was up to $7,500 between 1988 and July 14, 2002; or up to $15,000
after July 14, 2002;
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any person provides proof of payment of a preferred claim; and
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the person paying the preferred claim petitions and convinces the District Court judge
to dispense with administration of the estate under Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 393.030.395.455.396.095.