Quick answer: once 30 days have passed and the entire estate, less liens, is at or under $100,000 with no real property, sign the affidavit before a notary and present it directly to the bank or asset holder. Check whether an estate qualifies with the Utah small estate checker.
Step by step
- Wait 30 days from the date of death.
- Confirm no personal representative has been appointed or has a pending application anywhere.
- Total the entire estate, wherever located, after subtracting liens and encumbrances.
- Confirm no real property is included.
- Confirm the total is $100,000 or less.
- Sign the affidavit before a notary.
- Present it directly to the bank or asset holder — never to a court.
No court filing, at any point
The threshold looks at the whole estate, not just one account
The $100,000 cap is measured against the value of the entire estate subject to administration, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances — not simply the balance held by the particular bank or institution being asked to release funds.
No competing appointment can exist anywhere
No application for the appointment of a personal representative can be pending or already granted anywhere for the estate — if one exists, this affidavit route is off the table.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
Because it's never filed with a court, the process works identically whether the decedent lived in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, or any other Utah county.