Detailed Answer — How to determine heirs and ownership under Wyoming law

1. Check how the property is titled

Title is the fastest way to see who controls property:

• If the property is titled in your grandparent’s name alone, it generally becomes part of their estate and passes through probate (or by the terms of a trust or beneficiary designation if one exists).
• If the deed shows joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or contains another survivorship arrangement, the surviving joint owner usually becomes the sole owner automatically.
• If the property is held in a living trust, the successor trustee named in the trust typically controls the property outside of probate.
• If the deed has a transfer-on-death (beneficiary) provision, the named beneficiary takes ownership when the owner dies.

To check title, review the deed recorded at the county clerk/recorder’s office where the property sits, and the county assessor’s records for ownership information.

2. Look for a will, trust, or beneficiary documents

Ask family members, check the deceased’s personal papers, safe-deposit boxes, attorney files, or with local banks and the funeral home. If a will exists and is properly executed, it typically names an executor and the heirs or devisees. Even if you find a will, it usually must be filed with the local probate court for the executor to act.

3. Search probate and land records in the county

Probate proceedings are handled in the district court in Wyoming counties. If someone already opened probate, the court file will identify the personal representative and beneficiaries. You can search or request court records at the county courthouse or through the Wyoming judiciary website. For deed and mortgage records, contact the county clerk/recorder.

4. Understand intestate succession (when there is no valid will)

If there is no valid will, Wyoming law provides rules that determine who inherits (intestate succession). Those rules prioritize close relatives such as spouse and children first, then parents, siblings, nieces/nephews, grandparents, and so on. The exact order and share depend on which relatives survive the decedent.

For details on Wyoming laws governing probate and intestacy, consult the Wyoming statutes and your county district court. Wyoming’s official statutes are available from the Wyoming Legislature: https://wyoleg.gov/Statutes. The Wyoming Judiciary provides information about probate processes: https://www.courts.state.wy.us.

5. Steps to find the rightful heirs

1. Gather basic facts: date and place of death, last address, and any known relatives.
2. Check the will or trust documents. If you find one, file or check the probate docket in the county where your grandparent lived.
3. Search county deed and recorder records for title and any recorded beneficiary documents.
4. Search probate records (district court) for an open estate or letters of administration.
5. If no probate file exists, search public records and obituaries and contact likely relatives to assemble a family tree. Local genealogical societies, online public record databases, and the Social Security Death Index can help.
6. If heirs are unclear or scattered, the personal representative (or a petitioner to open administration) may publish a notice to unknown heirs, use an heir-locator service, or hire a private investigator or genealogist.

6. When title is disputed or heirs are unknown

If multiple people claim ownership or heirs are unknown, common legal tools include:

• Opening a probate estate and asking the court to appoint a personal representative to sort claims.
• Filing a quiet-title lawsuit to resolve competing title claims.
• Using constructive notice procedures (like publication) required by law to locate missing heirs before the court distributes assets.

7. Practical next steps you can take today

1. Obtain several certified copies of the death certificate from the county health department or state vital records.
2. Visit the county recorder and assessor websites or offices where the property sits and look up the deed and property tax bill.
3. Contact the local district court clerk to ask if a probate case is open for your grandparent.
4. If you suspect a will exists but can’t find it, check with attorneys who handled family matters, and banks where safe-deposit boxes might exist.
5. If you need help, consult a probate or real property attorney in Wyoming to explain options and represent the estate or interested parties.

Where to find official Wyoming resources:

• Wyoming statutes and code: https://wyoleg.gov/Statutes
• Wyoming Courts (probate information): https://www.courts.state.wy.us
• County clerk/recorder and county assessor websites (for deeds and tax info) — search by county through the Wyoming county directory on the state or county websites.

When to hire a lawyer: If ownership is unclear, heirs dispute an estate, property title defects exist, or you need to open and administer an estate, consult a Wyoming probate or real estate attorney. An attorney can run a full title search, open probate, locate and notify heirs, or pursue a quiet-title action.

Example hypothetical (simple illustration): Suppose your grandparent died owning a house titled solely in their name and left no will. You would check the county recorder to confirm the deed, obtain a death certificate, and search the county district court for a probate case. If no case exists, an heir (often an adult child) can petition the court to be appointed personal representative. The court follows Wyoming’s intestate succession rules to determine who inherits the house and issues the necessary deeds or court orders transferring title.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article is educational and does not provide legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Wyoming attorney.

Helpful Hints — Quick checklist to find heirs and property ownership

• Start with the deed: county recorder’s office shows current title.
• Obtain certified death certificates early; many institutions require them.
• Search for a will, trust, or beneficiary forms before opening probate.
• Ask probate court clerks whether a case exists under your grandparent’s name.
• Look for joint deeds, survivorship language, or trust documents to avoid needless probate.
• If you can’t find heirs, use published notice and heir-locating services authorized by the court.
• Keep careful records of searches and communications — the court may require proof of notice.
• Consider hiring a Wyoming attorney for contested matters, title defects, or complicated family situations.