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.

Administration of the estate of an individual dying intestate may be dispensed with by written agreement if:

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  There are no debts owing by the estate,

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  All parties beneficially entitled to the personal estate have agreed in writing that there shall be no administration; and

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  Either there are no claims or demands due the estate or the written agreement designates a trustee with power to collect claims and demands.

Do not refer any claims processed under section 395.455, Kentucky Revised Statutes. Refer all claims processed under section 395.470 to the regional attorney for a determination as to the party who could be considered “legal representative of the estate.”