Wyoming executor and estate paperwork checklist

This is an organizer, not legal advice. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

The first 30 days

Work down the list; nothing you tick is saved or sent. The steps are general, the dates come from the official pages.

1. Get several certified copies of the death certificateThe funeral home can usually order them, or the vital records office can. Each bank, insurer and pension plan may ask for its own.
2. Confirm the death was reported to Social SecurityUsually the funeral home does this. If it didn't, phone 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778); a widow or widower, or certain children, may qualify for $255.
3. Track down the willCheck the home, a safe deposit box and the lawyer who drafted it. Leave the original exactly as you found it and work from copies.
4. See whether a self-proving affidavit is attachedIt's a sworn page signed by the witnesses, usually at the end of the will; the rule for this state is below.
5. Protect the propertyChange locks if keys are out, keep insurance paid, and have the mail forwarded so bills and statements reach you.
6. Hold off on paying debts or giving things awayWait until you know which route applies and who has authority. If something can't wait, ask the probate clerk or an attorney.
7. Stop using the person's power of attorneyA power of attorney ends at the principal's death, so an agent under it can't act for the estate.
8. Write down every asset and debtFor each, record whose name it's in and whether a beneficiary or co-owner is listed; those usually go straight to that person.
9. Compare the estate with $400,000That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
10. Count 30 days from the deathThat's when the official page says the small estate paperwork can be used.
11. Open a simple money logOne line per payment or deposit, with the date, who, how much and the receipt. It makes the final accounting easy.
12. When appointed, get an EIN and open an estate accountPay estate bills from that account only. Form 1041 is due if the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year (IRS).

Sources for the federal steps: Social Security Administration: When someone dies · IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041) · power of attorney: Power of attorney at a real estate closing.

The small estate route

• ConfirmedSmall estate limit

  The estate in the state, less liens and encumbrances, up to $400,000 (raised from $200,000 by Enrolled Act 85, effective July 1, 2025). The affidavit covers personal property; real property goes through summary distribution in district court.

  "does not exceed $400,000.00"

  Source: Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedReal estate

  Real estate has its own affidavit or petition. Named on the official pages: Summary distribution (decree of the district court).

  Source: Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWaiting period after the death

  30 days. More than 30 days after the death.

  "More than 30 days have passed since the Decedent died."

  Sources: Wyoming Judicial Branch: Small estates and summary distribution; Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026); Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedNotary or oath

  Signed before a notary. The court form is sworn before a notarial officer.

  "SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me"

  Source: Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Filed with a county office. The original is filed (recorded) with the county clerk; holders pay or deliver once it's recorded.

  "after the same has been recorded with the county clerk"

  Sources: Wyoming Judicial Branch: Small estates and summary distribution; Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026); Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedOfficial form

  PPP 02 (intestate) or PPP 04 (testate), Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property. Judicial Branch forms, revised March 2026.

  Source: Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSimplified court procedure

  Summary distribution (decree of the district court): For real or personal property in an estate up to $400,000 after liens; filed with the district court at least 30 days after the death, with notice mailed to the surviving spouse.

  Sources: Wyoming Judicial Branch: Small estates and summary distribution; Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026); Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSurviving spouse

  For summary distribution, a copy of the application must be mailed to the surviving spouse.

  "must mail a copy of the application to the surviving spouse"

  Sources: Wyoming Judicial Branch: Small estates and summary distribution; Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026); Wyoming Enrolled Act 85 (SF0104, 2025) (Wyoming Legislature), checked November 2026

The will at probate

When the will goes to the court, these signing rules are what it is checked against.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two competent witnesses.

  "witnessed by two (2) competent witnesses"

  Sources: Wyoming 2023 Senate File 99 (enrolled act amending W.S. 2-6-112 and 2-6-114), Wyoming Legislature; Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wyoming (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Allowed, before an officer authorized to administer oaths. Since July 1, 2023 witnesses may sign the self-proving form electronically by secure means.

  "each made before an officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of the state where execution occurs"

  Sources: Wyoming 2023 Senate File 99 (enrolled act amending W.S. 2-6-112 and 2-6-114), Wyoming Legislature; Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wyoming (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Recognized without witnesses if entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed (Nolo, citing Wyo. Stat. 2-6-113).

  Source: Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wyoming (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedA witness who inherits

  Interested witnesses may lose any gift the will makes to them (Nolo, citing Wyo. Stat. 2-6-112).

  Sources: Wyoming 2023 Senate File 99 (enrolled act amending W.S. 2-6-112 and 2-6-114), Wyoming Legislature; Nolo (secondary source): How to Make a Will in Wyoming (Nolo, updated September 2025), checked November 2026

Documents to gather

• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
• Life insurance policies and annuities
• The last few years of tax returns
• Recent bills, loan and credit card statements
• Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
• Safe deposit box location and keys
• The official small estate form: PPP 02 (intestate) or PPP 04 (testate), Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property

Who to notify

Credit card companies, Pension or employer, Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone, Landlord or mortgage servicer. Write once to each, enclose a death certificate copy, and record the reply.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Wyoming Secretary of State. $20 per document (checks or money orders payable to the Wyoming Secretary of State).

  Source: Wyoming Secretary of State, checked November 2026

Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for Wyoming:

• Wyoming Judicial Branch: Small estates and summary distribution
• Wyoming Judicial Branch form PPP 04, Testate Affidavit for Distribution of Personal Property (rev. March 2026)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

Common questions

Related: Executor guide by state · Small estate affidavit details · Will signing requirements · Estate paperwork help