How Do I File for Probate in Utah?
Utah's statewide informal probate applications (1002ES with a will; 1001ES without) are print-only PDFs with no fillable fields — the courts' "Fillable Form" link is a Microsoft Word document — so this tool cannot complete them; the application is filed on the official statewide forms.
Opening an estate in Utah
Utah's everyday route is informal probate with a complete statewide form set (1002ES/1001ES application, 1007ES/1006ES statement, 1008ES acceptance, 1010ES/1009ES Letters) and the pro se path is a plain form download — NOT an OCAP/online-interview-generated document (the courts' informal-probate self-help page references the ####ES forms directly and never mentions OCAP). But the PDF versions are print-only flat with no interactive AcroForm fields — Utah explicitly labels the Word .doc as the "Fillable Form" — so our field-fill tool cannot complete them and an automated fill is not viable without a text-overlay or typeset layer; the page off-ramps to the official forms and counsel. The process is otherwise pro se friendly (registrar appointment without a hearing, no bond by default, uniform statewide forms); formal testacy under 75-3-401/402 has no statewide fillable form. Small estates up to $100,000 use a collection-by-affidavit that never produces Letters.
A simpler path may apply
Utah offers a small-estate or summary procedure that can transfer property without a full grant of Letters when the estate qualifies. This is often the honest self-service path where full administration is not.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Utah permits a self-represented person to open an estate and apply for Letters. What we do not do is produce the document for you here: utah's statewide informal probate applications (1002ES with a will; 1001ES without) are print-only PDFs with no fillable fields — the courts' "Fillable Form" link is a Microsoft Word document — so this tool cannot complete them; the application is filed on the official statewide forms.
Utah offers a small-estate or summary procedure that can transfer property without a full grant of Letters when the estate qualifies. Two tracks: INFORMAL (registrar, no hearing) is the default and is fully form-driven; FORMAL testacy/appointment (Utah Code 75-3-401, 75-3-402) is contested litigation decided after notice and hearing and is drafted to statute with no statewide fillable petition form. Utah Code 75-3-601: "Prior to receiving letters, a personal representative shall qualify by filing with the appointing court any required bond and a statement of acceptance of the duties of the office" — which is the Acceptance of Appointment (1008ES); the court then issues 1010ES (Letters Testamentary) with a will or 1009ES (Letters of Administration) without. Timing: no proceeding more than three years after death (75-3-107(1)), and the registrar may not order an informal appointment until 10 days after the 75-3-310 notice, or 120 hours after death if everyone entitled to notice has waived it in writing (75-3-307(1)). Venue is the county of the decedent's domicile at death, or (nonresident) any county where the decedent's property was located (75-3-201(1)). Small estates up to $100,000 (Utah Code 75-3-1201) use a collection-by-affidavit presented to third parties, not the court, and never produce Letters; it cannot transfer real property.
Utah District Court handles decedents' estates in Utah. District court — the registrar in informal proceedings; Letters issue after the personal representative files an Acceptance of Appointment (1008ES) issues the Letters after the court grants the petition.
Letters Testamentary are issued when there is a will (to the executor); Letters of Administration are issued when there is no will (to an administrator). They give the personal representative authority to act for the estate.
