Practical steps to secure a deceased relative’s home and prevent siblings from removing belongings in Wyoming

This FAQ-style guide explains what to do right away if you are worried siblings will take belongings from a decedent’s home before a court formally appoints an estate administrator. It summarizes practical preservation steps you can take, how to begin the Wyoming probate process, and what court remedies may be available. This information is educational only and is not legal advice.

Detailed answer

1. Act quickly but thoughtfully

When you learn a person has died and you fear others may remove or conceal property, act promptly to preserve the property and evidence. Avoid confrontations. Before physically removing items, understand that taking property yourself can create disputes or allegations of conversion. The safest initial steps are documentation and securing the premises.

2. Secure the property in place

• Change locks only if necessary to prevent unauthorized entry. If you do change locks, keep records showing why the locks were changed and who replaced them (receipts, photos of new lock and keys, name of locksmith).
• Ask the local sheriff or police to do a welfare check and to be present if you reasonably fear theft or a safety issue. Law enforcement can often deter immediate removal and may advise you about evidence preservation.
• Limit access. Establish a written log of who enters the home and when. Have at least one neutral witness (friend, neighbor, or law enforcement) present when you inventory or secure rooms.

3. Document everything

• Photograph and video all rooms, doors, windows, safes, and obvious valuables. Use date-stamped photos if possible.
• Prepare a simple inventory list with room-by-room notes and attach photos. Save copies in multiple places (cloud, email to yourself, printed copy with a trusted person).
• Write down names of people who handled items or removed anything, with times and reasons given.

4. Preserve high-value and sentimental items

• Identify high-value items (cash, jewelry, firearms, electronics, original documents, collectibles) and consider moving them to secure storage. If you remove items, document the reason, time, place, and witnesses and keep receipts for storage costs. Removal is usually defensible if done to protect the property, but you should be able to show a good-faith preservation purpose.
• Locate the decedent’s will, safe-deposit box information, vehicle titles, deeds, and insurance policies as a priority.

5. Start the probate process in Wyoming

To obtain legal authority to control and distribute estate property you must be appointed by the probate court as a personal representative (often called an administrator if there is no will). Contact the probate court clerk in the county where the decedent lived to learn filing procedures and local forms.

Wyoming’s court system has self-help information about probate procedures that explains how to file and what to expect: Wyoming Judicial Branch — Probate self-help. For statute text and broader authority, see the Wyoming statutes database maintained by the legislature: Wyoming Legislature.

6. Ask the court for temporary or emergency relief if necessary

If you can show an immediate risk that assets will be removed, you can petition the probate court for emergency relief. Typical emergency relief includes:

• An expedited temporary appointment as personal representative to allow you to secure or inventory property.
• A court order directing parties not to remove or destroy property (temporary injunction or restraining order).
• A court-ordered inventory or turnover of specific items pending full administration.

The probate clerk can tell you how to file a petition and request ex parte (immediate) consideration when a delay would cause harm.

7. After you are appointed: formal inventory and duties

Once a personal representative is appointed by the court, Wyoming law requires the representative to collect, preserve, and account for estate property. That generally includes preparing a formal inventory and care for assets until distribution. Keep careful records of any custodial acts, expenses, appraisals, and transactions. The court oversees the personal representative’s duties and can require bonds or accounting.

8. Handling disagreements with siblings

• Try to communicate in writing and keep a record (emails, certified letters). Explain that you are seeking court appointment and that tampering with property can lead to legal consequences.
• Offer reasonable access for family members to identify sentimental items under supervision or to submit written lists of claimed items until the court resolves ownership.
• If siblings remove property, document what they took and consider asking the court for an order to return the items; removal of estate property without authority can be grounds for civil claims.

9. When to get a lawyer

Talk to a probate attorney when: (a) there is a high risk of assets disappearing; (b) family members are already removing property or acting aggressively; (c) the estate is complex (real estate, business interests, or significant assets); or (d) you need to request emergency court relief. Many attorneys offer a short initial consult to explain options.

Helpful hints

• Contact the county probate clerk first to learn filing requirements and forms — that will tell you how to seek rapid court intervention.
• Do not throw away receipts or correspondence. Keep a single, organized folder (digital and paper) for all estate-related documents.
• Use photos and video to create a time-stamped record of the home’s condition and contents.
• If you move items, create an inventory entry with the reason, date, witnesses, and storage location and save all receipts.
• Avoid confrontations. If a sibling refuses to cooperate, document the behavior and escalate to the court rather than responding in kind.
• When possible, get neutral witnesses (bank officer, attorney, law enforcement) to corroborate the condition of the property and any removals.
• Keep emotional and factual records separate. Courts focus on written evidence and timely steps toward appointment and inventory.
• If you anticipate a dispute about personal items (heirlooms, small valuables), propose a supervised walkthrough and split the cost of an independent appraiser when necessary.

Where to find Wyoming forms and help

• Wyoming Judicial Branch — Probate self-help and forms: https://www.courts.state.wy.us/self-help/probate/
• Wyoming Legislature (statutes and bill information): https://wyoleg.gov/
• County probate court clerk — contact your county court clerk for local filing procedures and emergency filing options (phone numbers are on the Wyoming judicial website).

Important disclaimer: This article provides general information about securing property and starting probate in Wyoming. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. If you need legal advice, consult a Wyoming probate attorney.