Probate in Utah
Utah probate is administered in the District Court of the county where the deceased resided. Utah follows the Uniform Probate Code and offers informal (unsupervised) and formal administration. Informal administration is available in most cases and proceeds with minimal court oversight.
Utah probate typically takes 6–12 months. Personal representatives are entitled to reasonable compensation.
Simplified estate procedures
Utah allows a small estate affidavit for personal property of $100,000 or less, available 30 days after death. Utah also allows a simplified procedure for surviving spouses to claim certain property without full administration.
Utah authorizes transfer on death deeds for real property, allowing homeowners to name beneficiaries who receive real estate at death without probate.
Death certificates
Utah death certificates are issued by the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Office of Vital Records and Statistics. The cost is $18 per certified copy. Order online through UDOH or VitalChek.
Order at least 10–12 certified copies when the funeral home files the initial certificate.
Estate and inheritance tax
- State estate tax: Utah has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax.
The federal estate tax applies only to estates above $13.61 million (2024 threshold).
Notable rules
- Transfer on death deed: Utah allows transfer on death deeds for real property — an effective tool for avoiding probate on the family home.
- Creditor claim period: 3 months from the date of first publication of notice to creditors.
- Uniform Probate Code: Utah's UPC adoption allows informal administration, significantly reducing court involvement for uncontested estates.
- No estate tax: Utah imposes no estate tax or inheritance tax.
Key contacts
- Utah vital records: health.utah.gov/vitalrecords
- Utah Courts probate: utcourts.gov
- Utah State Bar lawyer referral: utahbar.org