How probate works in Washington County: the District Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Washington County · 5th Judicial District
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Verified October 16, 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 Washington County, probate runs through the District Court at 206 West Tabernacle, Suite 100, St. George. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. The same 5th Judicial District also serves Beaver and Iron.
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 Washington 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 206 West Tabernacle, Suite 100, St. George. The court is part of the 5th 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.
Probate cases in Washington County, Utah are filed at the District Court. The court sits in the 5th 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.
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 Washington County Self-Filing Assessment.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Audio recording requests via email
Requests for copies of audio court recordings should be sent to stgcopies@utcourts.gov.
SourceFiled 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.
In Utah a death is registered locally, and in Washington County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Washington County Office as well as by Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Washington County · Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Washington County Office
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| First certified copy | $35 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $10 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Washington County · Office of the Medical Examiner
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Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
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 Washington County are recorded with the County Recorder at 111 East Tabernacle Street, St. George, UT 84770. Phone: 1-435-301-7680. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $45 flat, regardless of page count.
Washington County accepts electronic recording through CSC, Indecomm and Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Washington County
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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
Utah allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Washington 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 Washington 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.
FirmSt. George, UT
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.
PracticesEstate Planning
FirmSt. George, UT
St. George firm founded in 2004, where M. Sean Sullivan practices only estate planning, probate, asset protection, guardianships, conservatorships, and fiduciary rights. Handles probate and estate administration, from appointment of the personal representative through inventory, debts, and closing. Consultations are free except one-hour consultations with Brent Brindley, which cost $100.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 2 more
Solo PracticeSt. George, UT
St. George estate planning practice of attorney Ben E. Connor serving Washington County, with a second office in Scottsdale, Arizona. Handles probate and estate settlement, including informal probate and small estate affidavits, alongside revocable living trusts, supplemental needs trusts, and Utah asset protection trusts. Connor has practiced estate planning for 29 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateSpecial Needs PlanningAsset Protection
FirmCedar City, UT
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
Solo PracticeCedar City, UT
Cedar City office serving Iron, Washington, Beaver and Kane Counties in southern Utah. Attorney James W. Jensen drafts wills, codicils, living trusts and living wills, works through estate tax issues and the choice of an executor, and names guardians for minor children; the firm lists no probate or estate administration work. Also practises real estate and business law.
PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningBusiness LawReal Estate
FirmSt. George, UT
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 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.
Data sourced from Utah statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Browse vetted Utah attorneys handling probate matters.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Enter the estate value to see Utah attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
Enter the estate value to see whether Utah lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
