Estate Planning & Probate in Hot Springs County, Wyoming
There are two reasons people look up Hot Springs County probate: to keep a family out of it, or to get a loved one's estate through it. Pick the path that fits, then work from the local District Court details.
Someone died — settling an estate
Filing probate at the District Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.
What to do when someone dies in Hot Springs County →Planning ahead as a property owner
Keep a Hot Springs County home out of probate with a transfer-on-death deed or a living trust.
Estate planning in Hot Springs County →The Probate Process in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs County, probate runs through the District Court at 415 Arapahoe Street, 3rd Floor, West Side, Thermopolis. The court sits in the 5th Judicial District. Hot Springs County shares the 5th Judicial District with Big Horn, Park and Washakie.
Full Hot Springs County probate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
Hot Springs County District Court
Hot Springs County · 5th Judicial District
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Hot Springs County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Recording Office Record
County Clerk
Hot Springs County
Phone
Office
Website
Recording fee
Verified October 17, 2026 · Source
Vital Records Office Record
Wyoming Department of Health - Vital Records Services
Hot Springs County · State vital records office
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
Certified copies
Certified copy fee
Full death certificate details →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Hot Springs County · Hot Springs County Coroner
Phone
Full coroner or medical examiner details →
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free Wyoming forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Wyoming.
Last Will and Testament
In Wyoming, a will is signed before 2Wyo. Stat. § 2-6-112Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyWyo. Stat. § 2-6-112Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Pour-Over Will
In Wyoming, a pour-over will is signed before 2Wyo. Stat. § 2-6-112Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Wyoming allows a choice for a healthcare power of attorney: 2Wyo. Stat. § 35-22-405 (repealed 2007 Ch. 61, § 2)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses or a notary.
Financial Power of Attorney
Wyoming treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultWyo. Stat. §§ 3-9-101 to 3-9-403 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act, eff. Jan 1, 2018; SF0105, 2017 session; repealed former §§ 3-5-101, 3-5-102)Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementWyo. Stat. §§ 3-9-101 to 3-9-403 (Uniform Power of Attorney Act, eff. Jan 1, 2018; SF0105, 2017 session; repealed former §§ 3-5-101, 3-5-102)Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Wyoming: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Wyoming.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Wyoming: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysW.S. §§ 2-7-403, 2-7-404, 2-7-410Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsW.S. §§ 2-7-201, 2-7-205, 2-7-701, 2-7-702, 2-7-703, 2-7-704Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Wyoming happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeWyo. Stat. § 4-10-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysW.S. §§ 4-10-813, 4-10-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
Do I Need Probate?
In Wyoming, estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less use the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, a court filing short of full probate.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Wyoming, a surviving spouse takes half of the estateWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when a child or other descendant survives, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Wyoming costs an estimated $21,210Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Attorney fees are statutory (set by law)Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
Wyoming Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Hot Springs County.
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