How much does probate cost in Utah?

Utah's court cost is low and flat: a $375 filing fee (Utah Code 78A-2-301), the same for informal and formal probate, plus a small tiered accounting fee ($15-$175) and newspaper publication. The bigger cost is professional fees - executor and attorney compensation, which Utah sets as reasonable amounts with no statutory percentage. Utah has no state estate or inheritance tax.

What is the small estate limit in Utah?

Utah allows a small estate affidavit when the entire estate subject to administration, less liens, is $100,000 or less and includes no real property (Utah Code 75-3-1201), once 30 days have passed since death. Up to four vehicles, boats, or trailers transfer separately and don't count toward the cap. The affidavit isn't filed with the court - it's presented to banks and other holders - so there's no filing fee.

Utah Probate Cost Calculator, Free Tool

Q: What is the executor fee in Utah?

Utah has no fee schedule. Under Utah Code 75-3-718, a personal representative and the attorney are entitled to reasonable compensation. If a petition requests a fee and no interested person objects within the notice period, the requested amount is deemed reasonable with no independent court review. If someone objects, the court weighs the quality, quantity, and value of the services. Family executors often waive the fee, since it's taxable income.

How probate costs work in Utah

Utah runs probate through the District Court in the county where the person lived — Salt Lake, Utah County (Provo), Davis, Weber, Washington (St. George) and the rest. Utah is a Uniform Probate Code state, so most estates use fast, registrar-handled informal probate with no hearing. The court cost is low and flat, there's no state death tax, and the real variable is professional fees.

1. Court filing fee — flat $375

Utah Code § 78A-2-301(1)(a): the district-court filing fee is a flat $375, the same for informal and formal probate (there's no probate-specific subsection, so it falls under the general civil filing fee). A tiered final-accounting fee of $15–$175 may apply at closing.

These court costs don't scale with estate size — a $200,000 estate and a $2,000,000 estate pay the same $375 to open.

2. Executor & attorney fees — reasonable, not a fixed percentage

Utah Code § 75-3-718: the personal representative and the attorney are entitled to reasonable compensation — no percentage, no schedule. If a petition requests a fee and no interested person objects within the notice period, the requested amount is deemed reasonable with no independent court review. If someone objects, the court weighs the quality, quantity and value of the services.

In practice, Utah attorneys often charge a flat $3,500–$6,000 for a routine informal probate (more for formal or contested), or quote a percentage of roughly 2–3.5%. Any figure here is an illustrative estimate, not a statutory amount. Family executors frequently waive their fee, since it's taxable income while an inheritance is not.

3. No Utah death tax

No state estate or inheritance tax: Utah imposes neither. Only the federal estate tax can apply, to estates above the federal exemption — so nearly all Utah estates owe no death tax.

4. Other costs

Publication to creditors — newspaper notice, once a week for three weeks (~$100–$200).
Bond — may be required unless waived by the will or heirs (§ 75-3-603).
Appraisal, certified copies — small additional costs.

5. When probate can be simplified in Utah

Small estate affidavit (Utah Code § 75-3-1201) — entire estate of $100,000 or less, no real property, 30 days after death; not filed with the court, so no fee. Up to four vehicles transfer separately and don't count toward the cap.
Informal probate (§ 75-3-301) — registrar-handled, no hearing, for uncontested estates.
Living trust, joint tenancy, POD/TOD — bypass probate entirely.

Cost component	Utah figure	Source
Court filing fee	$375 flat (informal or formal)	§ 78A-2-301
Executor fee	Reasonable; no set % (often waived)	§ 75-3-718
Attorney fee	Reasonable; ~$3,500–$6,000 informal	§ 75-3-718
Small estate affidavit	$100,000 personal property	§ 75-3-1201
State estate / inheritance tax	None	Utah State Tax Comm.

Utah probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Salt Lake City / Provo?

The $375 filing fee and the no-death-tax rule are statewide; only the county District Court differs. In Salt Lake, Utah County (Provo), Davis or Weber, opening probate costs $375, plus newspaper publication and a small accounting fee at closing. The larger cost is the attorney fee — often a flat $3,500–$6,000 for informal probate — and any executor fee, which family members often waive.

Is the executor fee automatic in Utah?

There's no automatic percentage. Under 75-3-718 the executor is entitled to reasonable compensation, and if the fee is requested in a petition and no one objects, the requested amount is deemed reasonable without further court review. Only an objection triggers the court's quality/quantity/value analysis. Family executors who are also heirs frequently waive it.

What's the difference between the small estate affidavit and summary administration?

They're often confused. The small estate affidavit (75-3-1201) is the $100,000 no-court route — a sworn affidavit presented to banks and holders, with no probate opened. Summary administration (75-3-1203) is a separate route a personal representative who has already been appointed uses to distribute and close a small estate. One skips probate; the other ends one already started.

Does Utah have an estate or inheritance tax?

No. Utah has no state estate tax and no inheritance tax. Only the federal estate tax applies, and only to estates above the federal exemption, so almost all Utah estates owe no death tax.

How long does probate take in Utah?

A straightforward informal probate with cooperative heirs often wraps up in about 6–9 months, set by the 3-month creditor claim period. Formal or contested estates take longer.

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Utah's court filing fee is a flat $375 (Utah Code § 78A-2-301), the same for informal and formal probate. Executor and attorney fees are reasonable, court-approved amounts with no statutory percentage (§ 75-3-718) — any professional-fee figure shown here is illustrative; many informal estates pay a flat attorney fee of roughly $3,500–$6,000. The small estate affidavit limit is $100,000 of personal property (§ 75-3-1201). Utah has no state estate or inheritance tax. Confirm current figures with the District Court or a licensed Utah attorney before acting.