How Much Does Probate Cost in Weston County, Wyoming?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Weston County can expect.
The cost of probate through the District Court depends on estate size, asset complexity, and whether you use an attorney. Here's how each piece adds up.
Attorney fees in Wyoming are statutory—a fixed percentage of gross estate value set by law. There's no negotiating the rate, which means costs are predictable but can add up quickly on larger estates.
Calculate your estimated probate costs:
Court filing fees to open probate are $160Wyo. Stat. § 2-2-401; W.S. § 5-3-206Verified May 1, 2026 in Wyoming, plus additional fees for motions and final accounting.
Wyoming uses statutory attorney fees based on estate value—standardized across Newcastle and statewide. Executor compensation is also calculated by statute, typically 2%Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter; plus extraordinary fees per § 2-7-805)Verified May 1, 2026 to 5%Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter; plus extraordinary fees per § 2-7-805)Verified May 1, 2026 of estate value.
You'll need to publish a creditor notice in a local Weston County newspaper ($200-$500). Real estate and business interests also require professional appraisals, typically $300-$600 each.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. If required, premiums typically cost 0.5%Wyo. Stat. § 2-3-102Verified May 1, 2026 of estate value annually.
These costs accumulate over 6 monthsWyo. Stat. §§ 2-1-201Verified May 1, 2026 to 12 monthsWyo. Stat. §§ 2-1-201Verified May 1, 2026—the typical timeline for probate at the District Court. The 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified May 1, 2026 creditor claim period accounts for much of this wait, and expenses compound as executors manage assets during this period.
Legal Sources
- Wyo. Stat. § 2-2-401; W.S. § 5-3-206
- Wyo. Stat. § 2-3-102
- Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-703
- Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter; plus extraordinary fees per § 2-7-805)
- Wyo. Stat. §§ 2-1-201
Data sourced from Wyoming statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Weston County, that means filing fees ($160 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs $160 in Weston County. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Yes. Wyoming sets probate attorney fees by statute, so Weston County attorneys charge the same schedule as the rest of the state. Predictable, but often higher than hourly billing would produce for simple estates.
Wyoming caps executor compensation by statute — the same schedule used for attorney fees in many states. Executors can waive this fee, which often makes sense for family members who are also beneficiaries.
Yes. Wyoming estates under $400,000 can use a Small Estate Affidavit and avoid most probate costs. Check the Wyoming self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Weston County probate.
District Court
Weston County
1 West Main Street
Newcastle, WY 82701
Phone:
307-746-4778Fax:
307-746-9505
Email:
rkaiser@westongov.comHours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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