Common Probate Questions Answered

Will my estate go through probate?

Contrary to what people may like to think, when someone dies owning property, it does not automatically pass on to their heirs. The first person to show up at the house with a pick up truck isn’t allowed to just take what they want. Your father’s classic car or his tools do not become yours simply because you remember him telling you that someday they would be yours. Your grandma’s house doesn’t suddenly become yours just because her Will says she wants you to have it when she dies. Spoken words are fleeting and, unlike what is written down, fade with memories.

A Will is just a set of instructions about what the writer wants down. It is not a transfer document. Once they are dead, something else has to be done before the property is yours. The estate has to go through a process before it is yours. The nature and extent of that process depends upon how much advance planning was done and how title was held before death. Note that Wyoming law requires that the deceased’s Will be filed with the district court within ten (10) days of death or coming into possession of the Will, even if there will be no estate administration. Failure to deliver the Will to the court can make the Will custodian (the person who has it in their possession) personally liable for any loss that others suffer as a result of not having the Will available to open probate.

When is probate required?

When a person dies, some assets pass to certain people as a matter of law. These are called “non probate” assets. For example, if a husband and wife have a joint bank account and the husband dies, the wife gets the money in the account automatically, usually by presenting a death certificate to the bank. Actually, by virtue of it being a joint account, they shared the money with each other. It was hers before he died. All the bank does is remove his name from the account. The same is true in the case of a house whose title is held in joint tenancy or as “husband and wife.” An affidavit is recorded at the courthouse and the deceased’s name is removed from the title. No actual transfer occurs at that time.

Another major category of non probate assets are life insurance and retirement accounts that specifically name someone as the beneficiary. “Payable on death” accounts at the bank and “transfer on death” stock and mutual fund accounts at the brokerage house are also non probate assets. Another example are testamentary or transfer on death deeds, commonly called Lady Bird deeds. In each case the assets will be distributed or transferred to the designated parties upon presentation of a valid death certificate and completion of some paperwork. All other assets are called “probate assets.” Probate assets do not pass automatically and must undergo the probate process to transfer title.

What are “probate assets?”

Household goods and furnishings, personal effects, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, automobiles, real estate generally anything that is held solely in the deceased’s name and does not have a survivorship title, listed beneficiaries, or payable on death designations are called “probate assets” and must go through some sort of probate process to pass ownership on to the heirs. What must be done to pass probate assets on to heirs? The rules governing probate vary from state to state. Options that are available in Uniform Probate Code states (like Colorado) may not work in Wyoming. Likewise, Wyoming statutory protections for the heirs, and requirements that creditors must satisfy in order to be paid, may not exist in other states. Thus, knowing the location and type of assets becomes important. The initial step usually consists of a rough identification of the deceased’s assets. The detailed inventory and valuation required in a formal court supervised probate is not necessary at the beginning. We just need to know enough to determine which route to pursue in moving forward.

After all the “non probate assets” are identified, the remaining “probate assets” are generally administered in one of three ways:

1. Distribution by Affidavit: In cases where the value of all probate assets is less than $200,000, after the expiration of a statutory waiting period to allow for a formal probate to be opened, those probate assets can often be transferred to the heirs by filing an affidavit in proper form with the county clerk. The person holding the deceased=s assets must then give them to the heirs and title to assets like cars, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, etc., must be changed to reflect the distribution. Real estate is handled through a different process described below. If the lucky heirs named in the deceased’s Will are different than those defined under statute, the Will must be accepted and proven by the court. With the help of an attorney and a little advance planning, it may be possible to avoid court involvement by structuring your estate so that there are less than $200,000 in probate assets. Unfortunately, distributions by affidavit generally do not dispose of any claims that creditors might have against the deceased or the estate.

2. Summary Distribution: If a person dies with probate assets under $200,000 that include real estate, a court order is required to transfer title. This is done by filing an application for summary distribution with the court and publicizing notice in the newspaper. After people have the opportunity to object, the court signs an order distributing the property to the heirs, including the real estate. The order acts like a deed when it is filed with the county clerk. Summary estate administration can take as little as two months and usually requires the services of an attorney to make sure it is done correctly. As is the case with distribution by affidavit, creditors’ claims remain intact in a summary distribution and may need to be paid by the heirs. As mentioned above, if there is a Will that names someone to inherit other than the heirs defined under Wyoming Statute, (for example, if one or more of the children are disinherited) it may still be necessary for the Will to go through an additional probate process of publication in the newspaper to prove that it sets out the deceased’s final wishes and should control.

3. Court Supervised Probate: A formal court supervised administration is required if the total value of all probate assets exceed $200,000. Formal probates are governed by strict statutory rules designed to make sure the personal representative faithfully does their job and everyone involved is treated fairly. In this process the court appoints a personal representative to administer the estate, notice is published in the newspaper, and anyone owed money by the estate has three months to file a claim in proper form. Failure to file a proper claim during the allotted time means that the creditor will not get paid. If it becomes necessary to pay expenses and bills, or to divide the estate, with the court’s permission the personal representative can sell off assets. After all just claims and debts are paid, the personal representative must file a report and accounting with the court and, if approved, can distribute the estate.

Most estates requiring formal probate can be administered in nine months to a year, although it can take longer if property doesn’t sell quickly, the personal representative delays or drags their feet, or the heirs interfere with the orderly progress of the probate. Even when the estate is under $200,000, it often makes good sense to do a formal supervised probate to take advantage of having a personal representative appointed by the court to gather and manage assets or to cut off creditor claims.

Who’s in charge of administering an estate?

The person appointed by the court to administer the estate is call the “personal representative.” This is because he/she represents the person of the decedent. A Will generally nominates the personal representative. Even so, that person is not recognized as the personal representative and has no authority to act until appointed by the court. In fact, it is against the law to act as a personal representative before the court issues its order of appointment. Before the court issues its order, by statute the personal representative must post a bond, unless it is waived under the Will or by all the heirs. If a person doesn’t have a Will, an heir or other interested party can petition the court to be appointed as personal representative.

The personal representative is a fiduciary and as such has certain duties including:

Giving notice to creditors and heirs
Acting impartially and treating the heirs fairly
Locating and inventorying all the probate assets and obtaining independent third party valuations
Preserving and maintaining the estate and preventing any harm or loss including by waste, risk, or looting
Selling property at fair market value and paying the just debts
Maintaining good records and reporting to the court
Distributing the balance of the estate to those entitled to receive it, subject to court approval.

In performing these duties, the personal representative is subject to strict statutory standards and deadlines. Failure to comply can result in the personal representative being held liable for any loss or damage.

Ready to ensure your estate is properly managed? Contact Davis & Johnson Law Office today to help you manage the probate process with experienced guidance.

Wyoming Probate FAQ

The probate process can be overwhelming, especially for families navigating legal matters after the passing of a cherished loved one. While experiencing such grief and stress, it can be easy to make mistakes or oversights that can lead to delays, unnecessary legal fees, and even disputes among heirs. At Davis & Johnson Law Office, we have over 50 years of combined experience helping families across Wyoming handle probate efficiently while avoiding costly missteps. Below are some of the most common probate mistakes and how you can avoid them.

Failing To Locate All Estate Assets

One of the biggest probate mistakes is not identifying all the assets within an estate. Sometimes beneficiaries will assume that they have everything accounted for, only to later discover hidden accounts, real estate, or valuable personal property. Our Wyoming probate lawyer can help conduct a thorough asset search to ensure that all the estates property is properly inventoried and distributed.

Overlooking Estate Debts And Taxes

Probate requires settling the deceased’s outstanding debts, taxes, and final expenses before distributing assets. Failing to account for debts such as medical bills, credit card balances, or unpaid property taxes can lead to complications down the road. Executors should also ensure that Wyoming state and federal estate tax obligations are met to prevent penalties or legal issues.

Distributing Assets Too Early

In some cases, beneficiaries will pressure executors to distribute assets before they can complete the probate process. However, doing so before all debts, taxes, and legal requirements are satisfied can result in financial liabilities for the executor. Our Wyoming probate lawyer can ensure that asset distribution follows Wyoming probate laws, reducing the risk of disputes or personal liability for the estate administrator.

Failing To Notify Creditors And Beneficiaries Properly

Wyoming law requires formal notification to both creditors and beneficiaries during probate. If an executor fails to notify interested parties correctly, creditors may later file claims, delaying the distribution of assets. Additionally, improper notification of heirs could lead to a contested will or legal challenges. Working with an experienced Wyoming probate attorney can help ensure that you are in compliance with all state requirements.

Not Seeking Legal Guidance For Probate Disputes

Probate disputes can arise over will interpretation, beneficiary rights, or executor decisions. Some families attempt to handle these conflicts without legal counsel, which can lead to the escalating of tensions and result in lengthy and costly court battles. Our Wyoming probate lawyers have the expertise to provide you with mediation, legal guidance, and court representation to resolve conflicts efficiently and protect the integrity of the estate. Having our attorneys involved early can prevent disputes from worsening and save families time.

How To Avoid Costly Probate Mistakes In Wyoming

The probate process involves many legal complexities, and even small mistakes can lead to significant delays and financial consequences. By properly identifying estate assets, settling debts, and seeking the assistance of our probate lawyers, families can navigate probate smoothly. If you need assistance, Davis & Johnson Law Office is here to help you handle the process correctly and efficiently.

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