Quick answer: entire estate (personal property and any real property/mineral interests) at or under $400,000 — the Affidavit of Distribution or Summary Distribution. Anything larger, or contested — full probate. Check your own numbers with the Wyoming small estate checker.
Mineral interests can quietly push an estate over the line
Out-of-state real estate needs its own ancillary proceeding
For an out-of-state decedent who owned Wyoming real estate, an ancillary proceeding is typically needed, where the executor files the Wyoming letters testamentary and a copy of the will with the out-of-state court, or in some cases must obtain new local letters of authority.
Holographic wills carry real trade-offs
Under §2-6-113, a handwritten, signed will is valid without witnesses — but holographic wills are easier to challenge and harder to probate than a formally witnessed will, so this option carries genuine trade-offs even though it's valid.
What skips probate before any threshold matters
A Transfer on Death deed recorded before death, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, and assets held in a living trust all pass outside of probate.
The decision, in order
- Is the asset in a trust, jointly held, or covered by a TOD deed? → Skips probate entirely.
- No real property/mineral interests, entire estate at or under $400,000? → Affidavit of Distribution.
- Real property/mineral interests present, entire estate at or under $400,000? → Summary Distribution.
- None of the above fits → Full probate through the District Court.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.
Whichever track applies, filing happens with the District Court in the decedent's own Wyoming county.