Utah 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

General steps in plain words. Tick them off as you go; the ticks stay on this screen only.

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. Make sure Social Security knowsFuneral homes generally report the death. If not, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A surviving spouse, or some children if there's no spouse, may get a one-time $255 payment.
3. Find the original willLook for the signed original and any codicils (later changes). Keep the original safe and unaltered; make copies for yourself.
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. Keep the house and vehicles safeTell the insurer about the death so coverage stays in place, take photos of what's inside, and redirect the mail.
6. Don't pay bills or hand out belongings yetFirst learn which route fits and who is allowed to act; ask the probate office or an attorney about anything urgent.
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. List what the person owned and owedNote how each asset is held: in the person's name alone, jointly, or with a named beneficiary. Accounts with a beneficiary or joint owner usually pass outside the will.
9. Compare the estate with $100,000That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
10. Mark day 30 after the deathThe small estate route opens 30 days after the death, per the official page.
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 entire estate under $100,000. The affidavit can't transfer real property; vehicles and boats have a separate motor vehicle affidavit.

  "the entire value of the estate is under $100,000"

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

• ConfirmedReal estate

  Real estate isn't counted, and the affidavit doesn't transfer it; it needs its own route.

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWaiting period after the death

  30 days. At least 30 days after the death.

  "at least 30 days have passed since the death"

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

• ConfirmedNotary or oath

  Signed before a notary. The successor signs the affidavit in front of a notary.

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

• ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes

  Handed to the bank or other holder. Not filed with the court; given directly to the bank or other holder.

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

• ConfirmedOfficial form

  Small Estate Affidavit. Utah State Courts form; vehicles use the DMV Survivorship Affidavit (TC-569C).

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small Estate Affidavit form (PDF), checked November 2026

• Not confirmedSimplified court procedure

  Not confirmed — check Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help.

• ConfirmedWorth knowing

  The motor vehicle survivorship affidavit can claim up to four boats, motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers registered in the state.

  Source: Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help, checked November 2026

The will at probate

How the will had to be signed matters when it's offered to the court.

• ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed

  Two witnesses, each signing within a reasonable time after seeing the signing or the acknowledgment.

  "signed by at least two individuals, each of whom signed within a reasonable time after he witnessed"

  Source: Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 5, Wills (Utah Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit

  Allowed. The witnesses' affidavits are made before an officer authorized to administer oaths.

  "each made before an officer authorized to administer oaths"

  Source: Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 5, Wills (Utah Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten

  Recognized if the signature and the material parts are in the testator's handwriting.

  "if the signature and material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting"

  Source: Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 5, Wills (Utah Legislature), checked November 2026

• ConfirmedA witness who inherits

  A witness who is interested doesn't make the will or any part of it invalid.

  "does not invalidate the will or any provision of it"

  Source: Utah Code Title 75, Chapter 2, Part 5, Wills (Utah Legislature), checked November 2026

Documents to gather

• 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
• Certified death certificates
• The original will and any codicils
• Deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• The official small estate form: Small Estate Affidavit

Who to notify

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, Credit card companies. A brief letter and a copy of the death certificate usually start each one; note the date and the person you reached.

Documents needed abroad

• ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad

  Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications. $5 per document by mail.

  Source: Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Authentications, checked November 2026

Where to ask

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

• Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help
• Utah State Courts: Small Estate Affidavit form (PDF)

Still to confirm

• Simplified court procedure: check Utah State Courts: Small estates self-help

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 · Will signing requirements · Estate paperwork help