Probate in Salt Lake County runs through the District Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Salt Lake County, settling their estate runs through the District Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Salt Lake County · 3rd Judicial District
Address
Phone
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Departments
Located in Matheson Courthouse. Public parking garage closed Jan 2026; disability placard holders still accommodated. Alternative parking: nearby surface lots and metered street parking on 400 South. Probate department phone: 801-238-7164. Also has West Jordan location: 8080 S Redwood Rd, Suite 1701, West Jordan, UT 84088, phone 801-233-9700.
Verified July 5, 2026 · Source
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 Salt Lake County, probate runs through the District Court at 450 S State St, Salt Lake City. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. Salt Lake County shares the 3rd Judicial District with Summit and Tooele.
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. The 3 monthsUtah Code § 75-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Salt Lake 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 450 S State St, Salt Lake City. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District.
Probate matters are handled through Probate, Civil/Domestic, New Case Filing, and Accounting. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Local procedures at this court that affect cost: Probate filing fee is $375. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Salt Lake County runs a probate self-help center (Monday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM), which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 888-683-0009.
Utah charges $375Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(a)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the District Court (https://www.utcourts.gov/en/legal-help/legal-help/procedures/filing/efiling/district.html). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Utah are negotiated, typically 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. 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.
If you're handling probate yourself in Salt Lake County, Utah, you can file at the District Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District.
Filings here are routed through Probate, Civil/Domestic, New Case Filing, and Accounting. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Salt Lake County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationNot every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic. Salt Lake County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Salt Lake County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Dedicated probate email for 3rd District Salt Lake
Probate-specific filings and inquiries can be directed to 3rdslcprobate@utcourts.gov.
SourceE-filing mandatory for attorneys
Per UCJA Rule 4-503, all pleadings filed by attorneys in civil, probate, and domestic cases must be electronically filed. Self-represented parties are exempt. Contact efiling@utcourts.gov for account requests.
SourceTo file at the District Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
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 Salt Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder at 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Phone: 385-468-8145. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $40 flat, regardless of page count.
Salt Lake County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
Salt Lake County
Address
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E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(i) (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
Utah allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Salt Lake 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 — typically 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Salt Lake 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.
FirmBountiful, UT
Bountiful firm combining estate planning with Social Security disability practice, providing families of disabled individuals a single firm for both disability benefits and special needs trust planning.
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FirmLayton, UT
Primary Layton/Davis County firm with estate litigation capability. Fills a geographic gap in the Davis County corridor between Ogden and Salt Lake City.
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FirmFarmington, UT
Estate planning firm with offices in Farmington, American Fork, Ogden, and Park City serving families and small businesses across northern Utah. Over two decades of combined experience in Utah estate planning law. Hosts "Legacy Lawyers" podcast. Flat-fee billing.
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FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City estate planning firm serving Wasatch Front families from offices in Sugarhouse and Bountiful. Handles revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, probate, powers of attorney, special needs trusts, Medicaid and elder-law planning, gun trusts, and asset protection. Offers initial calls by phone or Zoom with at-home document signing available.
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FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City firm in the historic Judge Building handling probate, will and trust administration, and estate disputes including marital-property and estate division. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives for individuals and families. Two attorneys are admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more
FirmSalt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City estate planning practice serving individuals and families across Utah. Handles wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts (including special needs and charitable trusts), powers of attorney, advance health care directives, trust and estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. Attorney Penniann Schumann previously administered trusts as a national-bank trust officer.
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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.
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. How we research.
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Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Step-by-step tools for families in Salt Lake County, Utah.
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