Detailed Answer
If you pay funeral expenses for a deceased person in Wyoming, you can seek reimbursement from the decedent’s estate. Under Wyoming law, funeral and burial costs qualify as an expense of administration with priority over general creditors.
Wyoming Statute Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-1-102 allows a person who pays for burial, grave markers, funeral services, transportation of the body, or related charges to present a claim against the estate. You must submit a written, itemized claim along with proof of payment to the personal representative or executor. Link: Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-1-102.
Once you file, the personal representative reviews your claim under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-1-104. If the estate holds sufficient assets, the representative must pay all allowed administrative expenses—like funeral bills—before distributing property to heirs. If the representative denies your claim or fails to act, you may petition the county court overseeing probate to enforce payment. See Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-1-104.
Wyoming requires that all creditor claims, including funeral expenses, be presented within six months after the date of first publication of notice to creditors. If you miss this deadline, the estate may distribute assets without regard to your claim, and you could lose the right to reimbursement. See Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 2-1-104(c).
Maintain clear records of all expenses and communicate promptly with the estate’s personal representative. If the estate lacks sufficient funds after priority claims, unpaid funeral expenses may remain unresolved.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney in Wyoming to address your specific situation.
Helpful Hints
- Collect and keep all funeral service receipts, contracts, and invoices.
- Identify and verify the estate’s personal representative before submitting a claim.
- Submit an itemized, written claim with proof of payment promptly.
- Watch the six-month deadline after notice to creditors; late claims are usually barred.
- If the claim is denied or ignored, consider filing a petition in county probate court.
- For small estates under Wyoming’s simplified procedures, verify if funeral expenses can still be paid out directly.
- Consult a probate attorney if the estate lacks assets or if disputes arise.