Detailed answer: Step‑by‑step process under Wyoming law

1. Confirm the estate likely qualifies as a “small estate”

Wyoming’s statutes and local courts control whether you can use a simplified or limited administration. Many states set a dollar threshold and limit what assets can be handled without full probate. Before you do anything, check the Wyoming probate statutes and the county probate court rules or forms for a definition and dollar limits. Start here for statute references and court forms:

• Wyoming Statutes (general index)
• Wyoming Judicial Branch (probate forms and local court information)

If the estate exceeds the statutory limit or contains certain assets (for example, complex real estate interests, contested wills, or claims requiring litigation), you may need full administration rather than a small‑estate procedure.

2. Gather required documents and information

Typical documents and information the court will expect:

• Certified death certificate for the decedent.
• List of known assets and approximate values (bank accounts, vehicles, real property, personal property).
• Contact information for heirs and beneficiaries.
• Known creditors and outstanding bills or loans.
• Original will, if one exists (even if you plan to pursue small‑estate procedures).
• Photo ID for the proposed limited personal representative.

3. Prepare and file the correct document with the county probate court

Wyoming courts commonly accept either a statutory small‑estate affidavit or a petition for limited administration. The exact form and title can vary by county. When you file you generally will:

• File the affidavit or petition and any required exhibits (death certificate, list of assets).
• Pay the filing fee or ask the clerk about fee waivers.
• Request issuance of limited letters of administration (sometimes called “letters testamentary” or “letters of limited administration”) that authorize you to act for limited purposes—collecting assets, notifying creditors, and, if authorized, selling property.

Contact the probate clerk in the county where the decedent lived to confirm the exact form and filing steps. Many counties post probate forms and instructions online on the Wyoming Judicial Branch site: https://www.courts.state.wy.us.

4. Publication and notice to creditors

One of the primary duties of a personal representative is to give notice to creditors. Under typical Wyoming practice you must:

• Publish a notice to creditors in the county newspaper or as the court directs for the statutorily required period. The court clerk can tell you the publication duration and format.
• Mail direct written notice to known creditors, mortgage holders, and lienholders when required.
• Keep proof of publication and mailing; the court will need these proofs before you distribute estate funds or close the administration.

Follow the exact timelines in the applicable statutes or local rules so creditors’ claims are either barred or can be handled properly.

5. Authority to sell real property: when limited appointment is sufficient and when you need a court order

Selling real property is one of the more complicated tasks in a small‑estate process. Key points:

• Some small‑estate procedures permit sale of personal property and collection of small bank accounts without a full administration, but selling real property often requires additional authority.
• If the limited letters you receive expressly authorize sale of specific real property, a title company will usually accept the representative’s deed and closing instruments.
• If the small‑estate law or your limited appointment does not expressly authorize sale, you will likely need the court’s specific order approving the sale. That usually requires filing a petition to sell real estate, providing notice to heirs and creditors, and obtaining court approval and an order authorizing the sale and distribution of proceeds.
• Title companies often require a certified copy of the letters and, sometimes, a court order confirming the sale authority. Expect to provide lien payoff instructions and a county trustee’s search for tax or other liens.

6. Pay valid creditor claims, close estate, and distribute proceeds

After the notice period expires and you have authority to pay debts, you must:

• Pay valid claims and lien holders in the order required by law.
• Reserve funds if claims remain unsettled or the court requires an accounting or bond.
• Distribute any remaining proceeds to the heirs or beneficiaries per the will or intestacy rules.
• File a final accounting or closing documents with the probate court if required by the local rules.

7. Records to keep and post‑appointment duties

Keep careful records of all receipts, disbursements, notices, sale documents, and communications with creditors and heirs. You may be required to present an accounting to the court if anyone objects.

When to consult an attorney

Consult an attorney if:

• The estate value or property interests are unclear.
• Heirs or creditors dispute the appointment or sale.
• Title issues arise that could prevent closing (liens, partition interests, or survivorship disputes).
• You are uncertain about notice requirements or creditor claim timelines.

Helpful Hints

• Start at the county probate clerk’s office. They can give you the exact forms, filing fees, local rules, and publication requirements for the county where the decedent lived.
• Use the Wyoming Judicial Branch website for probate forms and local contacts: https://www.courts.state.wy.us.
• Confirm whether the estate meets the statutory small‑estate threshold before using simplified procedures. Check the Wyoming statutes and county guidance: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes.
• If you plan to sell real estate, talk to a local title company early. They will tell you what paperwork and court orders they need to insure title and close the sale.
• Publish notices and send mailed notices exactly as the court requires. Missed notice steps can delay distribution or expose you to liability.
• Save copies of everything—petitions, letters, proofs of notice, sale documents, receipts—and track deadlines in a calendar.
• Consider limited legal help (unbundled services) if you only need help drafting a petition or a petition to sell real estate before the court.