Probate in Tooele 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 Tooele 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
Tooele County · 3rd Judicial District
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
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 Tooele, probate runs through the District Court at 74 South 100 East #14, Tooele. The court sits in the 3rd Judicial District. The same 3rd Judicial District also serves Salt Lake and Summit.
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 Tooele 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 74 South 100 East #14, Tooele. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District.
Tooele 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 Tooele 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
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Tooele 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. Tooele County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Tooele County Self-Filing Assessment.
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.
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 Tooele County are recorded with the County Recorder, led by County Recorder/Surveyor Jerry Houghton, at 47 South Main Street, Tooele, UT 84074. Phone: 435-843-3180. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $45 flat, regardless of page count.
Tooele County accepts electronic recording through Tyler Technologies (Portico eRecording).
Recording Office Record
Tooele County · County Recorder/Surveyor · Jerry Houghton
Address
Phone
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $45 |
Utah Code 17-71-407 (formerly 17-21-18.5)
Verified September 9, 2026 · Source
Utah allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Tooele 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 Tooele 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.
FirmTooele, UT
Tooele-based estate planning firm founded in 2012 to provide accessible legal services to individuals, families, and businesses in Tooele County. Drafts revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateHealthcare DirectivesPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 7 more
FirmOgden, UT
Northern Utah law firm serving Ogden and Layton since 1959 with decades of estate planning knowledge. Takes time to understand client goals and create personalized estate plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawHealthcare Directivesand 3 more
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
FirmSouth Ogden, UT
South Ogden firm serving Weber County and the Wasatch Front in probate and estate administration, including complicated probate matters and the estate planning that helps families avoid it. Founded in 1982 by Jack Helgesen; Jack Helgesen and Michael Houtz have more than 50 years combined experience in Utah probate. Offices in South Ogden and Layton.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawRevocable TrustsTrusts
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 8 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.
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. How we research.
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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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Step-by-step tools for families in Tooele, Utah.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
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