Submit Estate Inventory to Wyoming Probate Court

When someone passes away in Wyoming and leaves behind property, bank accounts, or other assets, the personal representative (executor) has a legal duty to report everything to the probate court. That report is the estate inventory, and filing it isn't optional. Failing to submit an estate inventory to Wyoming probate court on time can lead to court sanctions, removal as executor, or even personal liability. This article walks you through exactly what the filing involves, how to do it correctly, and what to avoid along the way.

What does it mean to submit an estate inventory to Wyoming probate court?

An estate inventory is a detailed written list of everything the deceased person owned at the time of death. This includes real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investment accounts, personal belongings of value, business interests, and any debts owed to the deceased. When you "submit" this inventory to the Wyoming probate court, you are formally filing it with the clerk of court in the county where the probate case is open.

Under Wyoming Statute § 2-7-401, the personal representative must file the inventory within 90 days of being appointed. This isn't a casual document it must list each asset with its fair market value as of the date of death. If you need help understanding what goes into the form itself, our guide on how to fill out an estate inventory in Wyoming breaks it down step by step.

When is the deadline to file the estate inventory?

Wyoming law gives personal representatives 90 days from the date letters testamentary or letters of administration are issued. That means the clock starts ticking the day the court formally appoints you not the day the person died, and not the day you first learn you've been named in a will.

If you need more time, you can ask the court for an extension. But don't assume one will be granted. Courts expect executors to begin gathering asset information right away. Waiting until the last few weeks to track down accounts and property values is one of the most common reasons executors run into trouble.

What information goes into a Wyoming estate inventory?

Each item in the inventory needs three things: a description, its classification (real property, personal property, intangible property, etc.), and its fair market value on the date of death. Here's a general breakdown of what you'll include:

Real property homes, land, mineral rights, and any other real estate the deceased owned in Wyoming or elsewhere
Financial accounts checking, savings, CDs, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts that pass through the estate
Personal property vehicles, jewelry, furniture, collectibles, firearms, tools, and other tangible items
Business interests ownership in LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietorships
Debts owed to the deceased money others borrowed from the decedent and haven't repaid
Life insurance or death benefits only if payable to the estate rather than a named beneficiary

For more detailed examples of what these line items look like in practice, take a look at our estate inventory form examples for Wyoming executors.

How do you actually file the inventory with the court?

Filing is straightforward once you have the completed form. You bring or mail the original inventory to the clerk of district court in the county where the probate case is open. Some counties in Wyoming also accept electronic filing, so check with the clerk's office first.

You'll need to sign the inventory and may need to attach a signed oath or verification stating that the list is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Keep a copy for your own records and send copies to all interested parties (heirs, beneficiaries, and any interested creditors) as required by law.

If the estate has unusual assets like property in multiple states, oil and gas interests, or complex business holdings the filing process may require additional documentation. Our article on Wyoming estate inventory requirements for complex estates covers those situations in more detail.

What happens if you file the inventory late or not at all?

Wyoming courts take the inventory requirement seriously. If you miss the 90-day deadline without requesting an extension, an interested party (like an heir or creditor) can petition the court to compel you to file. In more serious cases, the court can:

Hold you in contempt
Remove you as personal representative
Surcharge you for any losses caused by your delay or negligence

Even if no one pushes back right away, a late or missing inventory can come back to haunt you if disputes arise later among heirs or creditors. Filing on time protects you as much as it protects the estate.

Common mistakes executors make when submitting the estate inventory

Having helped many Wyoming executors through this process, we see the same errors show up again and again:

Using outdated or estimated values. The inventory requires fair market value as of the date of death not what the deceased paid for something, not what a tax assessment says, and not a rough guess. Get appraisals for real property and high-value items.
Forgetting assets. Small accounts, safe deposit boxes, digital assets (cryptocurrency, online payment balances), and items stored off-site often get overlooked. Do a thorough search.
Listing assets that don't belong in the probate estate. Property held in a living trust, jointly owned assets with rights of survivorship, and accounts with named beneficiaries typically pass outside probate. Don't include them on the inventory.
Not filing amended inventories. If you discover new assets after filing the original inventory, Wyoming law allows and sometimes requires you to file a supplemental inventory. Ignoring newly discovered assets is a problem.
Skipping the verification step. Some executors complete the inventory form but forget to sign the oath or verification statement. An unsigned inventory may be rejected by the clerk.

For guidance on the paperwork itself, see our overview of Wyoming executor paperwork for estate inventory.

Can the court or beneficiaries challenge your inventory?

Yes. After you file, beneficiaries and other interested parties have the right to review the inventory. If someone believes you left out an asset, undervalued something, or included property that doesn't belong to the estate, they can file an objection with the court.

The court may then hold a hearing to resolve the dispute. This is another reason accuracy matters so much. A well-prepared inventory, backed by appraisals and documentation, makes it much harder for anyone to challenge your work.

Do you need a lawyer to file the estate inventory?

Wyoming doesn't technically require you to hire an attorney for probate. But in practice, many executors benefit from at least a one-time consultation with a probate lawyer especially if the estate includes real property, business interests, debts, or potential disputes among heirs. An attorney can review your inventory before you file and flag anything that's missing or improperly classified.

Even if you handle most of the process yourself, professional help on the inventory can save you headaches down the road. The cost of a brief review is small compared to the risk of personal liability for errors.

Practical checklist before you submit

Use this checklist to make sure your estate inventory filing is complete:

☐ Identify the correct county court where the probate case is open
☐ Gather documentation for every asset (titles, statements, appraisals)
☐ Determine fair market value for each item as of the date of death
☐ Exclude non-probate assets (trust property, jointly held assets, beneficiary-designated accounts)
☐ Complete the official Wyoming estate inventory form or a court-accepted format
☐ Sign and attach the required verification or oath
☐ Make copies for your records and for all interested parties
☐ File the original with the clerk of court before the 90-day deadline
☐ Mail or deliver copies to heirs, beneficiaries, and known creditors
☐ If you discover new assets later, file a supplemental inventory promptly

If you haven't started filling out the form yet, our guide on how to fill out an estate inventory in Wyoming walks you through each section. For the complete set of forms and downloadable templates, visit our Wyoming estate inventory forms page.

Next step: If you've been appointed as a personal representative in Wyoming, start gathering asset documentation now don't wait until week eight of your 90-day window. Pull bank statements, locate titles, and schedule appraisals as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the less stressful the filing will be.