What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Utah?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Utah estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Utah is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Utah lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
No. An executor in Utah can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Utah, the executor files the estate inventory within 90 daysUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Utah requires a supplemental inventory for assets discovered laterUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
In Utah, estates valued at $100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate AffidavitUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 daysUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Utah lets the executor value most property without a formal appraisalUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, though a valuable item still warrants a qualified appraiser.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Utah
Free forms for settling an estate in Utah: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Notice to Creditors
In Utah, creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code § 75-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Utah, the Small Estate AffidavitUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $100,000Utah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 daysUtah Code § 75-3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Utah, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runsUtah Code §§ 75-3-1003(2), 75-3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Utah
Free tools for settling an estate in Utah: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Utah pays executors reasonable compensationUtah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Utah, the Utah District Court appoints the personal representative and the District court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; an informal (registrar) track is availableUtah Code § 75-3-301Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Utah, creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code § 75-3-801Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Utah pays the claims in 6Utah Code § 75-3-805(1)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with reasonable funeral expenses.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Utah costs an estimated $27,719Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 2.2%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.5%Utah Code § 75-3-718 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire an Utah Probate Attorney
Browse 50 probate firms in Utah with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Utah Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Utah probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.