The Estate Planning Guide Est. 2026

How much does probate cost in Wyoming?

Published June 3, 2026 4 min read

Quick answer

Wyoming sets probate fees by statute — both the personal representative and the attorney can each charge on the same sliding scale (10% of the first $1,000, 5% of the next $4,000, 3% of the next $15,000, 2% above $20,000) — so full probate on a $200,000 estate runs about $4,350 each, roughly $8,700 combined, plus court costs. But estates of $400,000 or less can usually skip full probate through summary distribution.

⚠️ Educational information only — not legal, tax, or financial advice.

The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Wyoming with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.

The short answer

Wyoming is one of the states where the core probate fees are set by statute — fixed by law rather than negotiated. Here’s how those fees work, what else gets added on top, and the ways many families avoid full probate entirely.

Attorney fees

Statutory under Wyo. Stat. §2-7-804, using the same schedule as the personal representative: 10% of the first $1,000, 5% of the next $4,000, 3% of the next $15,000, and 2% above $20,000. The court may allow more for extraordinary services, and the parties may negotiate lower.

Executor / personal representative fees

The personal representative's commission is statutory under Wyo. Stat. §2-7-803, on the same schedule as the attorney. Both fees apply separately, so full ordinary fees are roughly double the schedule; family executors often waive their share.

What the fee is based on

Because both the attorney and the personal representative are entitled to the full statutory schedule, full probate on a mid-size Wyoming estate can get expensive — but the state's high $400,000 small-estate threshold lets most estates avoid full probate entirely.

Court filing fees

A modest district-court filing fee (roughly $50–$100), plus the cost of publishing the notice to creditors.

Appraisal / probate referee

Not used. Wyoming does not appoint a state appraiser; the personal representative files an inventory and appraisement and may hire private appraisers for some assets.

How long probate takes in Wyoming

About 6 to 12 months for full probate; a summary distribution can close in a couple of months. Contested estates, missing heirs, or real estate sales can extend that.

Creditor claim period

Creditors must present claims within three months after the first publication of the notice to creditors (Wyo. Stat. §2-7-201 et seq.). In practice, this window is often the real floor on how quickly an estate can close, because the personal representative usually waits it out before making final distributions.

How to skip full probate (or shrink the bill)

  • Small-estate procedure. Estates of $400,000 or less (net of liens) can transfer by affidavit for personal property under Wyo. Stat. §2-1-201, or by a summary distribution decree that includes real property under §2-1-205, 30 days after death — the threshold was raised from $200,000 effective July 1, 2025.
  • Real-property shortcut. Real property can pass through the summary distribution decree under Wyo. Stat. §2-1-205 for estates of $400,000 or less.
  • Transfer-on-death deed. Wyoming allows a transfer-on-death deed under the Nontestamentary Transfer on Death of Real Property act, Wyo. Stat. §2-18-101 through §2-18-106 (see §2-18-103). Owners can record a TOD deed naming a beneficiary; the property passes at death without probate.
  • A funded living trust. Assets in a properly funded revocable living trust skip probate entirely. The successor trustee distributes them privately, usually in a month or two.
  • Beneficiary designations and joint ownership. Life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death (POD) accounts, and jointly held property pass directly to the named person and never enter probate.
  • Family member as executor. When a relative serves as executor, they can often waive the commission — meaningfully cutting the total bill.

Do you need a lawyer?

For most Wyoming estates that go through full probate, yes — the court process has formal requirements and missed deadlines can cost more than the legal fees they were meant to avoid. For genuinely simple estates, or where a small-estate procedure applies, many families handle it themselves or use a legal document preparer for a flat fee.

The honest takeaway

The cheapest probate cost is the one you avoid in advance — by titling assets correctly, keeping beneficiary designations current, and, where it makes sense, using a living trust. If your estate is likely to exceed Wyoming’s small-estate thresholds, it’s worth talking to a licensed Wyoming estate attorney while you still have the option to plan.

This page explains Wyoming probate costs in general terms as of 2026. It is not legal advice, and fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs change and depend on your specific situation. Confirm current figures with the Wyoming courts or a licensed Wyoming attorney. Sources: Wyo. Stat. §2-7-803, Wyo. Stat. §2-7-804, Wyo. Stat. §2-1-201, Wyo. Stat. §2-1-205, Wyo. Stat. §2-18-103.

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