St. George firm with its main office downtown and offices in Mesquite, Nevada, plus by-appointment offices in Hurricane, Cedar City, Panguitch, and Richfield. Practices estate planning alongside business, real estate, and litigation work, with attorneys licensed in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and California.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Garfield County, Utah
How probate works in Garfield County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Garfield County District Court
Garfield County · 6th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
55 South Main Street, Panguitch, UT 84759
Website
E-filing
Filing in person
Walk-ins accepted
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysAttorneys and licensed paralegal practitioners must e-file every pleading and paper in a probate case. A self-represented party may file by email, by mail or in person instead, and the courts' MyCase portal does not take probate filings. On paper: Self-represented parties may file by email, mail or in person; A Demand for Notice may be filed on paper when no probate case exists yet; Paper wills may be submitted for safekeeping; Documents in sealed cases are filed on paper.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedThe clerk's office takes papers in person during business hours. A filer must be at the counter before the office closes, and some courts stop taking filings shortly before closing.
Self-represented filing
AllowedAnyone may file a probate case in Utah without a lawyer. A self-represented filer delivers papers to the clerk's office, mails them, or emails them to the court's filing address. A mailed filing includes a check for the filing fee; for an emailed filing the court sends instructions on how to pay.
Self-help center
- Self-help service1-888-683-0009 · selfhelp@utcourts.gov · Monday-Friday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM · Assistance in Spanish in addition to EnglishThe statewide Self-Help Center serves every Utah county by phone, email and text. Its staff attorneys answer questions about the law and court process and help with court forms; they do not give legal advice or represent anyone in court. The text line is 801-742-1898.
P.O. Box 77
Panguitch, UT 84759
Fax
1-435-676-8239
About the court
- The court sits in the Garfield County Courthouse. The county clerk manages the district court's staff and facilities under a contract with the state.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Garfield County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Garfield County, probate runs through the District Court at 55 South Main Street, Panguitch. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District. The same 6th Judicial District also serves Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Utah intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Utah estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code §§ 75-3-801, 75-3-803, 75-3-805, 75-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Garfield County
What probate costs in Garfield County, Utah comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the District Court at 55 South Main Street, Panguitch. The court is part of the 6th Judicial District.
Utah charges $375Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(a)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Utah are negotiated, typically 2.2%Modeled estimate under Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Modeled estimate under Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Utah allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payUtah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Probate in Utah typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the District Court
Probate cases in Garfield County, Utah are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District.
The statewide Self-Help Center serves every Utah county by phone, email and text. Its staff attorneys answer questions about the law and court process and help with court forms; they do not give legal advice or represent anyone in court. The text line is 801-742-1898.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Utah has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableUtah Code § 75-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Garfield County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the District Court: Official death certificate, submitted with the probate paperwork (Utah Courts instruction — not a statutory requirement); The will and any codicils (where there is a will): the original held by the court, or a copy filed while the applicant keeps the original (Utah Code 75-3-301(3)(a)); Utah District Court Cover Sheet for Probate Actions (1158XX); Acceptance of Appointment as Personal Representative (1008ES) — required before Letters issue (Utah Code 75-3-601); Waiver of Notice (1003ES) and, from a person with equal or higher priority, Renunciation or Nomination (1004ES)Utah Code 75-3-301 (informal application to registrar); 75-3-401, 75-3-402 (formal testacy & appointment petition); 75-3-103, 75-3-601 (qualification & Letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Garfield County
In Utah a death is registered locally, and in Garfield County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Garfield County Office as well as by Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Garfield County · Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Garfield County Office
Phone
Office
601 East Center, Panguitch, UT 84759
Website
Certified copies
At the counter, issued while you wait
Local rule
- The department lists limited service availability at this office and prints no regular hours for it. Many requests are completed the same day, depending on eligibility and documents.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $35 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $10 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
State Medical Examiner
Garfield County · Office of the Medical Examiner
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
4451 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, UT 84129
Website
Serves this county
Utah Office of the Medical Examiner
Mail and offices
Fax
1-801-964-1240
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Garfield County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Garfield County are recorded with the County Recorder at 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, UT 84759. Phone: 1-435-676-1110. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 77, Panguitch, UT 84759-0077.
The County Recorder charges $45 flat, regardless of page count.
Garfield County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Garfield County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Office
55 South Main Street, Panguitch, UT 84759
Website
E-recording
available via Simplifile
P.O. Box 77
Panguitch, UT 84759-0077
Fax
1-435-676-8239
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $45 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
Utah Code 17-71-407 (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Garfield County
Utah allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Garfield County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Utah are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Garfield County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Cedar City office of a Nevada estate and probate firm, serving Iron, Kane, Washington, Beaver and Garfield counties through a partnership with W. Kent Corry, who has practiced in the area for over 40 years. Handles probate and the trust administration that follows a death, including creditor notices, specific bequests and estate tax returns. Most matters can be handled virtually.
St. George firm focused on trust, estate and tax matters, serving Washington, Iron, Kane and Garfield counties. Handles probate and trust administration, including valuing estate assets, managing the estate's tax responsibilities, and defending the estate or heirs in court when disagreements arise. Planning work includes Medicaid planning, special needs trusts and asset protection trusts.
Cedar City firm practicing throughout southwest Utah, including Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties. Helps families through probate when a will or plan does not settle every question after a death, including orders determining heirs, and prepares wills, trusts, medical directives and durable powers of attorney. Also handles real estate, corporate and family law matters.
Provo estate planning practice of attorney Marne Pehrson, with offices in Lehi, Sandy, Salt Lake City, Park City and Heber City, serving Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett counties through virtual meetings and in-person appointments. Drafts wills and trust-based estate plans for parents and homeowners, including guardian nominations for minor children, at flat fees set at the first planning meeting.
Salt Lake City firm of nearly 100 lawyers, founded in 1991 and now part of Dentons, with Utah offices in Lehi, St. George, and Ogden. Its Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation lawyers handle probate proceedings, estate and trust administration and accountings, guardianships, estate and gift tax returns, and family settlement agreements.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- Utah Code § 75-3-301
- Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(a)
- Utah Code §§ 75-3-801, 75-3-803, 75-3-805, 75-3-806
- Utah Code 75-3-301 (informal application to registrar); 75-3-401, 75-3-402 (formal testacy & appointment petition); 75-3-103, 75-3-601 (qualification & Letters)
- Utah Code 17-71-407 (formerly 17-21-18.5)
- Garfield County District Court, official page
- Garfield County Recorder, official page
- Garfield County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Utah
Free tools for settling an estate in Utah: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Utah.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Utah: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code §§ 75-3-801, 75-3-803, 75-3-805, 75-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Utah happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeUtah Code Title 75B, Chapter 2 (Uniform Trust Code)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysUtah Code § 75B-2-811 (formerly § 75-7-811; renumbered eff. 5/7/2025)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Utah has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is availableUtah Code § 75-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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