Bountiful firm serving Davis, Salt Lake, and Weber counties, with a practice built around people with disabilities and their families. Handles probate for personal representatives, estate litigation over wills, trusts, and a personal representative's actions, and guardianship and conservatorship petitions. Also files Social Security Disability claims and drafts special needs trusts.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Salt Lake County, Utah
How probate works in Salt Lake County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Salt Lake County District Court
Salt Lake County · 3rd Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
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 1860
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860
Departments
- Probate1-801-238-7164 · 3rdslcprobate@utcourts.govFilings and questions in an existing probate case go to the probate team.
- New Case Filing3rdnewcase@utcourts.govPapers that open a new case at the Matheson or West Jordan courthouse are emailed here.
- Accounting and Criminal Collections1-801-238-7406 · 3rdslcacct@utcourts.gov
- Civil/Domestic1-801-238-7480 · slccivdom@utcourts.gov
- Archivesarchiverequestslc@utcourts.gov
- West Jordan District Court1-801-233-9700 · 8080 South Redwood Road, Suite 1701, West Jordan, UT 84088
About the court
- The court is in the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse. Its parking garage closed to the public on January 1, 2026; drivers with a valid disability placard or plate may still use it after added security screening. Nearby options are the 500 South surface lot, the WaFed Building garage at 405 S. Main Street, the lot at 175 East 400 South and metered street parking.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County, probate runs through the District Court at 450 South State Street, 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. 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 Salt Lake County
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 South State Street, Salt Lake City. The court is part of the 3rd 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 Salt Lake County, Utah are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Probate, New Case Filing, Accounting and Criminal Collections, and Civil/Domestic.
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 Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County
In Utah a death is registered locally, and in Salt Lake County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Health Department Vital Records, Salt Lake Public Health Center as well as by Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Local Health Department
Salt Lake County · Health Department Vital Records, Salt Lake Public Health Center
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
Office
610 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Website
Certified copies
At the counter, issued while you wait
Order online
Salt Lake County Health Department
Attn: Vital Records
610 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Local rule
- Two more vital records offices take in-person orders, at the Ellis R. Shipp Public Health Center in West Valley City and the South Redwood Public Health Center in West Jordan. Mail orders are paid by check or money order; the office takes no card by mail.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $35 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $10 |
Verified November 1, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
State Medical Examiner
Salt Lake 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 1, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Salt Lake 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 Salt Lake County are recorded with the County Recorder at 2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190. Phone: 1-385-468-8145. 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
County Recorder
Salt Lake County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
2001 South State Street, Suite N1-600, Salt Lake City, UT 84190
Website
E-recording
available
Fees
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | No transfer tax applies to TOD deeds |
Utah Code 17-71-407(3)(a)(i) (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 Salt Lake County
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, 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.
Salt Lake City estate planning practice of attorney James P. Alder, with offices in Sugarhouse and Bountiful. Handles probate and estate and trust administration: opening the estate, presenting the will, inventorying assets, and paying creditors, alongside guardianships, conservatorships, and Medicaid planning. Initial calls and consultations can be held by telephone or Zoom.
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.
Salt Lake City firm in the Judge Building on East Broadway, known mainly for divorce and family law. Guides executors and trustees through probate and trust administration and resolves conflicts that arise during an estate, alongside drafting wills and revocable and irrevocable trusts. Two of its attorneys practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Salt Lake City firm with offices downtown, in Lehi and in St. George, plus Boise. Its probate and trusts attorneys handle informal and formal probate, petitions to determine heirs, small-estate affidavits, and trust litigation over trustee breaches and distributions; the estate planning group advises trustees and is often asked to serve as trustee or co-trustee.
Salt Lake City office serving Salt Lake City and Park City. Guides personal representatives through probate and estate administration, including accountings, creditor payments and ancillary probate, advises trustees on their fiduciary duties, and represents beneficiaries in disputes with a trustee. Attorney Penniann Schumann administered trusts in Utah and Idaho as a national-bank trust officer.
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(3)(a)(i) (formerly 17-21-18.5)
- Salt Lake County District Court, official page
- Salt Lake County Recorder, official page
- Salt Lake 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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