What to Do When Someone Dies in Crook County, Wyoming

Probate in Crook 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 Crook 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

District Court

Crook County · 6th Judicial District

Address

309 East Cleveland StreetSundance, WY 82729

Fax

307-283-2996

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed

Part of the 6th Judicial District covering Campbell, Crook, and Weston counties. Mailing: PO Box 406, Sundance, WY 82729.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Crook 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 Crook County, probate runs through the District Court at 309 East Cleveland Street, Sundance. The court sits in the 6th Judicial District. The same 6th Judicial District also serves Campbell and Weston.

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 Wyoming intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Wyoming estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 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 Crook County

What probate costs in Crook County, Wyoming 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 309 East Cleveland Street, Sundance. The court is part of the 6th Judicial District.

Wyoming charges $160 - $165+ (based on estate value)W.S. § 2-2-401(a)Verified Sep 9, 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.fileandservexpress.com/wyoming/). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Wyoming sets attorney fees by statute — a percentage of the estate's gross value. Every attorney charges the same schedule, so the decision to hire one comes down to complexity, not price.

Executor compensation is also statutory in Wyoming. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Wyoming requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Wyo. Stat. § 2-3-102Verified Sep 9, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Wyoming 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 Crook County, Wyoming, 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 6th 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 Crook 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.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File 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.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Crook County Self-Filing Assessment.

What to Bring

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 Crook 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 Clerk.

Deeds and other real property documents for Crook County are recorded with the County Clerk at 309 Cleveland Street, Sundance, WY 82729. Phone: 307-283-1323. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729.

The County Clerk charges $12 for the first page plus $3 for each additional page.

Crook County accepts electronic recording through CSC, Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Crook County

Address

309 Cleveland StreetSundance, WY 82729Mailing: P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729

Fax

307-283-3038

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Available via CSC, SimplifileE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Base fee (first page)$12
Each additional page$3
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

Wyo. Stat. 18-3-402(a)(xvi)(A) (statewide recording fees collected by county clerks)

Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Crook County

Wyoming uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Crook County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in Wyoming are set by statute as a percentage of the estate's value, so every Crook County attorney charges the same schedule. Price isn't the variable — experience with the District Court and responsiveness are.

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.

Solo PracticeSundance, WY

Hughes Law Office

Serves 1 county

Sundance attorney Mark L. Hughes has practiced law since 1978, handling probate, trusts and estates, real estate, school and municipal law, and civil litigation for Crook County. Also serves as counsel for Sundance State Bank and the City of Sundance.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateCivil LitigationReal EstateTrusts

Office
113 N 3rd StSundance, WY 82729

Solo PracticeSundance, WY

Sundance Law, P.C.

Serves 2 counties

Crook County practice covering estate planning — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and directives — and probate, described on its own terms as asset collection, debt settlement, and distribution. Patrick E. Carpenter was President of the Campbell County Bar Association and a Wyoming State Bar Commissioner. Also keeps a Gillette office, open the second Thursday of each month by appointment.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness PlanningReal Estateand 2 more

Office
313 E Main StSundance, WY 82729

Probate and estate planning lawyers working from Sheridan and Casper, covering north-central and central Wyoming from two courthouse towns. Attorney Mikole Bede Soto handles trusts and estates, guardianships and conservatorships for minors and adults, and trust litigation. One of five lawyers at a firm whose wider practice runs to criminal defense, personal injury, and family law.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationGuardianshipand 2 more

Office
247 Coffeen AvenueSheridan, WY 82801

FirmCheyenne, WY

Hathaway & Kunz, LLP

Since 1975 · Serves the whole state

Cheyenne firm established in 1975, serving Laramie County and statewide. Handles probate and trust administration, will- and trust-centered estate plans built to avoid probate, taxable estate mitigation, and asset protection and digital asset planning. Dedicated trusts and estates attorneys on staff.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 4 more

Office
2515 Warren Ave, Suite 500Cheyenne, WY 82001

FirmCheyenne, WY

Bailey | Stock | Harmon | Cottam | Lopez LLP

Serves the whole state

Cheyenne firm (with a Star Valley office in Afton) serving Laramie County and western Wyoming, with over 175 years of combined experience. Handles probate administration, revocable and irrevocable trusts, will drafting, powers of attorney, gift and estate tax planning, and Medicaid and long-term care planning. Attorneys coordinate with financial advisors and accountants on settlement-side matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningMedicaid Planningand 4 more

Office
6234 Yellowstone RoadCheyenne, WY 82009

FirmCheyenne, WY

Woodhouse Roden Ames & Brennan, LLC

Serves the whole state

Cheyenne firm serving Laramie County and clients throughout Wyoming, with eight attorneys and over eighty years of combined experience. Handles wills and probate, trusts and estates, and guardianship and conservatorship petitions, alongside civil litigation and business representation. Offers a free consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
1912 Capitol Avenue, Suite 500Cheyenne, WY 82001
Free consultation
See all 14 firms serving Crook County→

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.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Wyoming statutes and official state code. How we research.