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Small Estate Affidavit Limits in Utah

In Utah, a successor can collect personal property by affidavit 30 days after the death if the estate subject to administration, less liens and encumbrances, is worth $100,000 or less.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Utah at a glance

Maximum estate value
$100,000
Up to four vehicles or boats can be left out of the total for title transfers.
Waiting period after death
30 days
Real estate can pass
No

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Utah

What is the maximum estate value for a small estate affidavit in Utah?

Maximum estate value in Utah: $100,000. Up to four vehicles or boats can be left out of the total for title transfers.

How long after the death must you wait to use a small estate affidavit in Utah?

Waiting period after death in Utah: 30 days.

Can real estate pass by small estate affidavit in Utah?

No. Real estate can pass in Utah: no.

Where do the Utah small estate affidavit limits come from?

The rules above come from Utah Code 75-3-1201. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The section was last amended in the 2025 General Session, effective May 7, 2025; water company shares cannot pass this way.

What this means in practice

Check how the estate value is counted before relying on the shortcut. States differ on whether the limit covers all property or only probate property, and whether assets such as jointly owned accounts, life insurance with a named beneficiary or property in a living trust are left out of the total.

Gather the documents a holder is likely to ask for: a certified copy of the death certificate, the signed and often notarized affidavit, and proof of your identity and relationship to the person who died. Some holders use their own affidavit form, so ask before you prepare one.

A person who collects property with a small estate affidavit usually takes on duties to others with a claim to it, such as creditors and other heirs. Paying valid debts and distributing the rest correctly matters, because a successor who takes more than their share can be held liable for it later.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.