What to Do When Someone Dies in Summit County, Utah
Probate in Summit 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 Summit 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 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 Summit County, probate runs through the District Court at 6128 Paintbrush Road, Suite A, Park City. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. Summit County shares the 3rd Judicial District with Salt Lake 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 Summit County
What probate costs in Summit 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 6128 Paintbrush Road, Suite A, Park City. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District.
Summit 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.
How to File Probate at the District Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Summit 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.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Summit County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the District Court is realistic. Summit County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
To 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.
Transferring Property in Summit 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 Summit County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder/Surveyor Gregory R. Wolbach, at 60 N Main Street, Coalville, UT 84017. Phone: 435-336-3238. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 128, Coalville, UT 84017.
The County Recorder charges $45 flat, regardless of page count.
Summit County accepts electronic recording.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Summit County · County Recorder/Surveyor · Gregory R. Wolbach
Address
60 N Main StreetCoalville, UT 84017Mailing: PO Box 128, Coalville, UT 84017
Utah allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Summit 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 Summit 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.
Only firm headquartered in Heber City with multiple attorneys. Founding attorney Corbin Gordon is a 5th-generation Wasatch County resident and Past President of the Wasatch County Bar. Joshua Jewkes brings big-law credentials from Kirkland & Ellis.
PracticesEstate PlanningBusiness LawReal EstateTrustsand 2 more
Office
322 E Gateway Drive, Suite 201Heber City, UT 84032
Park City firm serving Summit County and the Salt Lake Valley from offices in Park City and Cottonwood Heights. Administers estates and trusts for executors, personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries: asset inventory and valuation, re-titling, qualified disclaimers, Form 706 filings, and distribution. Takes blended families and special-needs heirs.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more
Boutique estate planning firm serving Lehi and the Utah County area, with a second office in Las Vegas. Handles wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and probate, with flat pricing honored as quoted. Spanish-language service available.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 6 more
Award-winning Utah law firm with 220 years combined experience, helping Utah Valley residents of all ages establish estate plans, select guardians for minor children, create conservatorships, and protect seniors from elder abuse and fraud. Legal counsel to America's Freedom Festival since 1996.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawTax Planningand 2 more
Business law, real estate, estate planning, and personal injury attorneys serving Provo and St. George areas. Led by AV Preeminent-rated attorney Justin D. Heideman.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawLitigationand 3 more
Provo law firm founded in 1957 with over 175 years of combined experience assisting clients throughout Utah with estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and business formations.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 7 more
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.
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.
Summit County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Summit County, Utah.