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Short answer

If you did not receive required notice and a sibling (the personal representative) filed a final accounting and distribution, you can ask the Wyoming probate court to set aside or reopen the accounting, require a new accounting, and seek remedies such as surcharge or removal of the fiduciary. Act promptly — courts treat notice and due process seriously, but there are deadlines and equitable limits.

Detailed answer — how this works under Wyoming law

Wyoming probate law gives heirs and interested persons a right to notice and an opportunity to inspect and contest estate accounts. When a personal representative handles assets and then files a final accounting and proposes distribution, the court generally must provide notice before it approves the accounting and discharges the fiduciary. If you never received notice, you can ask the court to undo or revisit the approval because lack of notice may have deprived you of your procedural rights.

Key legal tools you can use

• File a petition with the probate court to set aside or reopen the settlement/approval of the final accounting on grounds of lack of notice (a petition to reopen probate or to vacate the final order).
• File objections to the accounting and request a hearing to examine the personal representative under oath and demand backup documentation for distributions, expenses, and fees.
• Ask the court for equitable relief: surcharge the fiduciary for losses caused by improper handling, remove the fiduciary, or order restitution if assets were misapplied.

What the court will consider

The court will look at whether Wyoming probate notice rules were followed, whether you were an interested person (legal heir, beneficiary, devisee), whether the lack of notice prejudiced you (for example, caused a distribution you can no longer recover), and whether reopening the case is timely and fair to other parties. If the PR gave away or spent assets with court approval because no one objected, the court will weigh finality against the unfairness of your lack of notice.

Where the law is written

For the Wyoming probate statutes and rules that govern notices, accounts, and the court’s power to reopen or set aside probate proceedings, see the Wyoming statutes relating to probate and fiduciary matters (Title 2). A useful starting place is the Wyoming Legislature statutes pages: Wyoming Statutes, Title 2 (Probate and Fiduciary Matters). The Wyoming Judicial Branch also provides probate information and forms at Wyoming Courts – Self Help.

Step-by-step practical approach

1. Get copies of the file immediately. Obtain the case number and request all probate files from the clerk: petition for probate, letters testamentary/administration, the filed final accounting, distributions, and any notices the PR claims to have sent.
2. Confirm your status as an interested person. You must show you are an heir, beneficiary, or someone with a claim against the estate. If the will names beneficiaries, provide a copy; if there is no will, show your relationship as an heir.
3. Check the notice record. Look for affidavits of mailing or proof of publication. If the court record lacks valid notice to you, that supports reopening.
4. File a written petition or objection. Ask the court to (a) vacate approval of the final accounting or (b) reopen the estate and order a full accounting, notice to interested persons, and a hearing. State facts: that you were not given notice, when you learned of the final accounting, and what relief you seek.
5. Request temporary relief if assets remain to be distributed. Ask the court to freeze further distributions until the dispute resolves.
6. Gather evidence. Provide proof you did not receive notice (no mail, no email), your relationship to the decedent, harm from missing notice (for example, you lost a chance to contest fees or distributions), and any irregularities in the accounting.
7. Prepare for a hearing or mediation. The court may order discovery (subpoenas, depositions) and an accounting under oath. Many disputes resolve in settlement or mediation before trial.

What to expect in court and possible outcomes

• The court may reopen the matter and require new notice and an accounting.
• The court may order recovery of improperly distributed funds or surcharge the personal representative for losses or wrongful distributions.
• The court may remove the personal representative for misconduct or failure to follow duties.
• The court may refuse relief if too much time has passed and distributions are final and undoing them would unfairly harm third parties — prompt action strengthens your case.

Timelines and urgency

Deadlines vary. Some objections must be filed within short statutory windows; others can be raised when you first discover the problem. If you suspect you lacked notice, act quickly — collect records and file a petition as soon as possible. Even if a final decree is entered, courts retain equitable authority to reopen probate in appropriate circumstances.

Evidence and documents you will need

• Death certificate.
• Copy of the will (if any) and codicils.
• Letters testamentary or letters of administration showing who was appointed fiduciary.
• The filed final accounting and any distribution schedule.
• Any affidavits of mailing or proof of publication the PR filed.
• Communications (email, texts) showing you were not notified.
• Bank records, if you have evidence of transfers that look improper.

Helpful hints

• Do not sign any document that releases claims against the estate until you understand the consequences.
• Request an inventory and full accounting quickly — many issues clear up when you can see the numbers and dates.
• Keep a clear timeline of when you first learned of the accounting and what contact (if any) you had with the personal representative.
• Consider mediation: courts often encourage settlement to avoid expensive litigation.
• Preserve electronic evidence (emails, text messages) and avoid deleting relevant communications.
• Contact the probate clerk early to learn local practice and any short filing windows you must meet.
• Talk to an attorney experienced in Wyoming probate if the estate is substantial, if fraud is suspected, or if significant distributions already occurred.

When to call a lawyer

If the estate includes significant assets, if distributions were made to insiders, if you suspect the personal representative breached their duties, or if you are unsure about statutory deadlines, consult a probate attorney promptly. An attorney can prepare a proper petition, request emergency relief, and navigate discovery and hearings under Wyoming practice.