How Much Does Probate Cost in Wyoming?
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.
Probate costs in Wyoming typically include attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateWyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $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, roughly 4% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the Wyoming executor fee calculator.
Wyoming allows estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less to use the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. In Wyoming the affidavit is filed with the Office of the County Clerk, and holders honor the court's certified copy — but no letters testamentary or of administration issue. The waiting period is 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death. Check eligibility with the Wyoming probate need checker.
In Wyoming, simple estates typically take 4 months to 6 months, and average estates 6 months to 12 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets take longer. The creditor claim period of 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 runs from the first publication of the creditor notice, which follows the executor's appointment.
Yes. The probate calculator on this page estimates Wyoming probate attorney fees from the estate value, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateWyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.
Wyoming sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,350 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.1%Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter; extraordinary fees per § 2-7-803(b), payable only on court order per § 2-7-805)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Executor fees follow the same schedule as attorney fees. Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Wyoming executor fee calculator.
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Named as Executor
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Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
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Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free Wyoming forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Notice to Creditors
In Wyoming, the notice to creditors is published for 3W.S. §§ 2-7-201, 2-7-205, 2-7-701, 2-7-702, 2-7-703, 2-7-704Verified Oct 19, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 2026View source from first publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Wyoming, a person named as executor may renounce the right to serveW.S. 2-6-201(a)(ii)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Wyoming, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areWyo. Stat. § 34-11-101; §§ 2-1-201, 2-9-102 to 2-9-103, 2-9-201 to 2-9-203Verified Sep 24, 2026View source; once recorded it is prima facie evidence of the facts stated.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Wyoming, the Affidavit for Distribution of Personal PropertyWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source covers estates valued at $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source or less, 30 daysWyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source after death, filed with the court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Wyoming, the personal representative is discharged by court orderW.S. § 2-7-814Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.
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.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Wyoming: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Wyoming, a surviving spouse takes half of the estateWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesWyo. Stat. § 2-4-101Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?
Wyoming allows you to name your own agent in advanceWyo. Stat. 2-17-101(a)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Wyoming levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state estate or inheritance tax is payable. Wyoming never repealed its death tax: Wyo. Stat. § 39-19-103(a) still imposes "a tax... on the transfer of property constituting the Wyoming gross estate of every decedent," but § 39-19-103(b) sets the amount at "the maximum state death tax credit allowed to a Wyoming estate as a credit against federal estate taxes under the laws of the United States." That federal credit (former IRC § 2011) was phased out by EGTRRA 2001 and terminated for deaths after Dec 31, 2004 (IRC § 2011(g)), so the Wyoming tax computes to $0 for every death on or after January 1, 2005. Despite the chapter caption "Inheritance Taxes," Chapter 19 is a pick-up estate tax — Wyoming has no relationship-class inheritance tax and no state gift or generation-skipping transfer tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Wyoming imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state estate or inheritance tax is payable. Wyoming never repealed its death tax: Wyo. Stat. § 39-19-103(a) still imposes "a tax... on the transfer of property constituting the Wyoming gross estate of every decedent," but § 39-19-103(b) sets the amount at "the maximum state death tax credit allowed to a Wyoming estate as a credit against federal estate taxes under the laws of the United States." That federal credit (former IRC § 2011) was phased out by EGTRRA 2001 and terminated for deaths after Dec 31, 2004 (IRC § 2011(g)), so the Wyoming tax computes to $0 for every death on or after January 1, 2005. Despite the chapter caption "Inheritance Taxes," Chapter 19 is a pick-up estate tax — Wyoming has no relationship-class inheritance tax and no state gift or generation-skipping transfer tax.Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Wyoming take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces no state capital gains taxWyo. Stat. § 39-12-101 (Title 39, ch. 12 — Income Tax; Preemption by state) — "The state of Wyoming does hereby preempt for itself the field of imposing and levying income taxes, earning taxes, or any other form of tax based on wages or other income and no county, city, town or other political subdivision shall have the right to impose, levy or collect such taxes."Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
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 and takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees set by statute as a percentage of the gross estateWyo. Stat. § 2-7-804 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. Estates under $400,000Wyo. Stat. § 2-1-201Verified Sep 9, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Wyoming sets executor compensation by statute — about $10,350 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 2.1%Wyo. Stat. § 2-7-803 (10% of first $1K, 5% of next $4K, 3% of next $15K, 2% thereafter; extraordinary fees per § 2-7-803(b), payable only on court order per § 2-7-805)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
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Wyoming Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Wyoming probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.