What to Do When Someone Dies in Laramie County, Wyoming

Probate in Laramie 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.

What probate costsHow to fileTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

When someone dies in Laramie 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

Laramie County · 1st Judicial District

Address

309 West 20th Street, Room 3205Cheyenne, WY 82003

Fax

307-633-4277

Hours

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

Most populous county in Wyoming. State capital. 1st Judicial District covers only Laramie County. Records date back to 1890. Mailing: P.O. Box 787, Cheyenne, WY 82003.

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Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Laramie 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 Laramie County, probate runs through the District Court at 309 West 20th Street, Room 3205, Cheyenne. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District.

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 Laramie County

What probate costs in Laramie 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 West 20th Street, Room 3205, Cheyenne. The court is part of the 1st 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 Laramie 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 1st 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 Laramie 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 Laramie County Self-Filing Assessment.

Laramie County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Summary procedure for estates under $400,000

Wyoming offers summary distribution for estates worth $400,000 or less (threshold increased from $200,000 effective July 1, 2025 per W.S. 2-1-205). File application in district court at least 30 days after death. For personal property only, a small estate affidavit (W.S. 2-1-201) may be used without court involvement.

Source

E-filing mandatory for attorneys (Oct 2024)

File & ServeXpress is the mandated eFiling Service Provider. All attorneys must complete training and pass a proficiency exam before filing. Pro se litigants may e-file in some courts after completing the same requirements.

Source

30-day waiting period after death

For both small estate affidavit (W.S. 2-1-201) and summary distribution (W.S. 2-1-205), application must be filed at least 30 days after the decedent's death.

Source

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 Laramie 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 Laramie County are recorded with the County Clerk at Laramie County Governmental Complex, 309 West 20th Street, Suite 1600, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Phone: 307-633-4350. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 608, Cheyenne, WY 82003-0608.

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

Laramie County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC, ePN, Indecomm.

Recording Office Record

County Clerk

Laramie County

Address

Laramie County Governmental Complex, 309 West 20th Street, Suite 1600Cheyenne, WY 82001Mailing: P.O. Box 608, Cheyenne, WY 82003-0608

Hours

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

E-recording

Available via Simplifile, CSC, ePN, IndecommE-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)

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Verified September 9, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Laramie County

Wyoming uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Laramie 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 Laramie 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.

FirmCheyenne, WY

Olsen Crecelius Legal Group, LLC

Serves 4 counties

Cheyenne law firm providing estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, beneficiary deeds, trust funding), probate (formal, summary, small estate, trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships), family law, and criminal defense services. Member of Southeast Wyoming Estate Planning Council.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBeneficiary Deedsand 4 more

Office
204 E 22nd StCheyenne, WY 82001
Free consultation

FirmCheyenne, WY

Overstreet, Homar & Kuker

Since 2013 · Serves 1 county

Cheyenne firm formed in 2013 with a collective 65+ years of experience. L. Cooper Overstreet focuses on estate planning and probate, along with business organization and real estate. Serves Fortune 500 energy companies as well as rural ranchers and small businesses.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTax PlanningBusiness PlanningReal Estate

Office
2922 Central AvenueCheyenne, WY 82001

FirmCheyenne, WY

Davis & Johnson Law Office

Cheyenne law office serving Laramie County with over 50 years of combined experience. Drafts wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and guardianship designations, and handles probate administration for families settling an estate. Estate and elder law attorney Kelly Davis has practiced since 1979.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more

Office
1807 Capitol Ave, Suite 200Cheyenne, WY 82001

Solo PracticeCheyenne, WY

Scott W. Meier, P.C.

Cheyenne and Lander attorney combining CPA and legal expertise for sophisticated estate and tax planning. Services include wills, revocable living trusts, wealth transfer, asset protection, powers of attorney, and probate/trust litigation. Wyoming native with CPA credentials since 1985.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationTax Planningand 4 more

Office
200 E. Eighth Avenue, Suite 203Cheyenne, WY 82001

FirmCheyenne, WY

Walker Law LLP

Since 2023

Cheyenne law firm founded in 2023 by a father-and-son team with a combined fifty years of legal experience, all of it practiced in Wyoming. Practice areas include estate planning, probate administration, business formation and governance, guardianships, conservatorships, and general civil litigation. Offers a free initial consultation.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateConservatorshipGuardianshipBusiness Planning

Office
114 E. 7th Avenue, Suite 200Cheyenne, WY 82001
Free consultation

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
See all 16 firms serving Laramie 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.

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

Black Hills FCU logo

Credit Union serving South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana

Black Hills FCU

Blue FCU logo

Credit Union serving Wyoming and Colorado

Blue FCU

CSAA Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

D.A. Davidson logo

Brokerage serving the West, Midwest, and more

D.A. Davidson

Farm Bureau Financial logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, West, and more

Farm Bureau Financial

First Interstate logo

Bank serving the West and Midwest

First Interstate

First Western Trust logo

Bank serving the West and Southwest

First Western Trust

FNBO logo

Bank serving the Midwest, West, and more

FNBO

Glacier Bancorp logo

Bank serving the West and Southwest

Glacier Bancorp

Great Plains Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest and West

Great Plains Life

NBH Bank logo

Bank serving the West, Midwest, and more

NBH Bank

Platte Valley Bank logo

Bank serving Nebraska and Wyoming

Platte Valley Bank

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