Often, yes. If an estate is valued at more than $40,000 or includes certain types of property, probate paperwork is usually required. However, there are exceptions: Living Trust: Assets placed in a trust generally avoid probate and transfer directly to beneficiaries. Small Estate Affidavit: If the estate is under $40,000 and doesn’t involve significant real property, families ma... https://rockpointprobate.com/kentucky-probate-law-and-how-it-works/