Can You Self-File Probate in Lincoln County, Wyoming?
Wyoming has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not availableWyo. Stat. tit. 2 (no UPC informal probate; non-administration transfers via §§ 2-1-201, 2-1-205)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source. In Lincoln County, the petition is filed at the Lincoln County District Court, which requires e-filing.
In principle, yes, but Wyoming has no standardized statewide probate form, so the opening petition filed in Lincoln County is drafted as a formal legal pleading. Most self-filers in this position work with an attorney; a qualifying small estate is simpler to handle. The estate settlement plan tracks each Lincoln County filing step alongside the estate's accounts and deadlines.
File at the District Court, 1040 Justice Center Drive, Kemmerer, WY 83101. Phone: 1-307-877-2053. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Lincoln County requires e-filing for probate matters. Wyoming-licensed attorneys must e-file through File & ServeXpress after completing training and a proficiency exam. Self-represented filers who are not Wyoming attorneys may not e-file in district court unless the court orders otherwise, and file with the clerk's office instead. An original will filed for the first time is always filed on paper.
The Wyoming court filing fee is $160 - $165+ (based on estate value)W.S. § 2-2-401(a)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and publication of the creditor notice is a separate cost set by the newspaper. Wyoming requires a bond of the personal representative by defaultWyo. Stat. § 2-3-102Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, so a bond premium is a cost too unless the will or the heirs waive it. The filing fee is a fraction of what probate costs with counsel: attorney fees are the largest line, and self-filing removes that line while court costs, publication and executor compensation stay the same.
A simple estate in Wyoming typically takes 4 months to 6 months. The creditor claim period of 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 2026View source is the floor: final distribution waits for it to run. Self-filed probate takes the same time as attorney-filed probate; the court's calendar, not the filer, sets the pace.
Self-File Probate Assessment in Nearby Counties
- Other counties in the 3rd Judicial District: Sweetwater County (Green River) · Uinta County (Evanston)
- More Wyoming counties: Laramie County (Cheyenne) · Natrona County (Casper)
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free forms for settling an estate in Wyoming: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for Wyoming.
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.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Wyoming
Free tools for settling an estate in Wyoming: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Wyoming.
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.
How Do I Get Letters Testamentary?
In Wyoming, the Clerk of the district court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the District Court appoints the personal representative; every appointment goes through the courtWyo. Stat. tit. 2 (no UPC informal probate; non-administration transfers via §§ 2-1-201, 2-1-205)Verified Sep 9, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Wyoming, creditors have 3 monthsWyo. Stat. § 2-7-703Verified Sep 9, 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, Wyoming pays the claims in 10W.S. § 2-7-701(a)Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with court costs.
How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property?
In Wyoming, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Wyoming State Treasurer's Office, Unclaimed PropertyWyo. Stat. Title 34, Chapter 24 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); 34-24-125Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Social Security Survivor Benefits Can I Get?
Which Social Security survivor benefit a spouse, former spouse, child or parent can get, what share it pays, and the lump-sum death payment.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
In Wyoming, the personal representative lists the estate's personal property at its fair market value as of the date of deathW.S. §§ 2-7-403, 2-7-404, 2-7-410Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, on the inventory filed within 120 daysW.S. §§ 2-7-403, 2-7-404, 2-7-410Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the appointment.
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Wyoming Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Wyoming probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.