Wyoming Probate Accounting and Final Report

Wyoming probate accounting runs on two sworn filings. The first is the inventory, due within 120 days after appointment under W.S. 2-7-403, followed by a sworn appraisal report within 120 days after that under 2-7-404. The second is the final report and accounting and petition for distribution under W.S. 2-7-811, which the court hears before it enters a decree of distribution and discharges the personal representative.

Both go to the clerk of district court, and both become part of the court file. Wyoming does not leave the inventory as a private document you hand to the family. It is a court filing with a deadline, and the clerk keeps a calendar to track it.

A note on the links. Wyoming publishes its statutes as one PDF per title, with no page for a single section, so every statute link below opens the Title 2 PDF from the Wyoming Legislature. We read each section there on September 28, 2026, in the edition created May 8, 2026, after the 2026 budget session. We also checked the Legislature's enrolled acts from 2018 through 2026 and found none that amended 2-7-403 or 2-7-811. This page explains Wyoming law, not the facts of one estate. Confirm dates for one estate with the clerk of district court holding the file or with a licensed Wyoming attorney.

For how the two filings fit the rest of the job, start with Wyoming executor duties.

The Inventory Is Due in 120 Days

W.S. 2-7-403(a) sets the first deadline. Every personal representative makes and returns to the court, within 120 days after appointment, a true inventory under oath of all the estate of the decedent, "including the homestead, if any", that has come into the personal representative's possession or knowledge.

Two parts of that sentence are worth reading slowly. The inventory covers the homestead by name, so the family home goes on the list even when a spouse will keep it. And it covers what you know about, not only what you hold, so an account you have found but not yet collected still belongs on the inventory.

A shorter clock applies in one group of estates. Under 2-7-403(b), in every case to which W.S. 2-5-101 applies, the inventory is due no more than 75 days after the will is admitted to probate. Section 2-5-101 is the surviving spouse's elective share, so read it before you count 120 days in an estate where a will leaves the spouse out or leaves the spouse less than the statute's share.

Two debts also go on the list. Under W.S. 2-7-407, naming a debtor as personal representative does not wipe out the debt, and the claim is included in the inventory. Under 2-7-408, a will that forgives a debt is not valid against creditors. The forgiven debt is included in the inventory and treated as a specific bequest.

What Happens When the Inventory Is Late

Wyoming puts teeth on the deadline. If the inventory is not filed within 120 days, the personal representative must show the court good cause for the delay, and the court decides whether to allow an extension. For failure to comply in good faith, 2-7-403(a) says the personal representative "shall be adjudged in contempt of court", with a fine and other enforcement as the court sees fit. Any fine is paid into the estate itself.

W.S. 2-7-409 adds a second remedy. If the personal representative neglects or refuses to file the inventory or the appraisement within the time allowed, the court may, upon notice, revoke the letters. The personal representative is also liable on the bond for any injury the failure causes to the estate or to anyone interested in it.

The clerk is watching the calendar too. W.S. 2-7-801(b) requires the clerk to keep a calendar for each estate and bring any missed deadline to the court's attention for action on its own motion. So ask for an extension before the 120 days run out, not after.

The Appraisal Report Follows

The inventory lists the property. The appraisal puts a value on it. Under W.S. 2-7-404(a), within 120 days after the timely filing of the inventory, the personal representative files under oath a report of appraisal of the assets on the inventory. The statute splits assets into two groups:

• Assets with a readily determinable market value, such as a publicly traded stock or a bank balance. One disinterested person states the value of each asset as of the date of death, in writing.
• Assets without one, such as land, a ranch operation, mineral interests or a closely held business. The personal representative employs disinterested persons to determine the fair market value of each asset as of the date of death. A separate written report for each asset, showing the appraiser's basis for the value, is attached.

Under 2-7-404(b), different people can appraise different assets. The report and its attachments are filed with the clerk of court under (c). The appraiser's fee is up to the personal representative under (d), but it has to be reasonable and is approved at the hearing on the final report and accounting.

Property that turns up later has its own deadline. Under W.S. 2-7-410, when property not mentioned in any inventory comes to the personal representative's possession or knowledge, it is appraised the same way and the appraisement is filed within one month after the discovery.

Why the Inventory Value Matters to the Bill

The values you file set two costs. First, the clerk's fee. W.S. 2-2-401(a)(ii) says that when an inventory or appraisement is filed showing an estate valued at $5,000 or more, the clerk collects $5.00 for a value of $5,000 to $10,000, plus $5.00 for each additional $10,000 of value or portion of it. On our reading, a $250,000 estate adds $5.00 plus 24 more $5.00 increments, or $125. That is on top of the $110 original filing fee, the $40 court automation fee and the $10 indigent civil legal services fee in 2-2-401(a)(i), (iii) and (iv). Ask the clerk to confirm the figure for your filing.

Second, the personal representative's fee. W.S. 2-7-803(a) computes the fee for ordinary services on the probate estate accounted for, at these rates:

Under 2-7-803(c), that basis starts with the items the personal representative is chargeable with "at their inventory value". It then subtracts losses or adds gains shown by a reappraisal or an actual sale, adds accretions such as interest, dividends and profits on sales (not borrowed money or refunds), subtracts property lost or destroyed without the personal representative's fault, and counts only the net income of any business run during administration. On a $250,000 basis with no adjustments, the schedule gives $100 plus $200 plus $450 plus $4,600, or $5,350. The court may allow more for unusual circumstances under (a) or for extraordinary services under (b), and a personal representative can waive the fee in writing.

Keeping Track of Money Along the Way

The final accounting reports every dollar that came in and went out, so the record starts on day one. W.S. 2-7-802(a) lets the personal representative pay reasonable and necessary expenses at any time, "subject to approval upon hearing his final report and accounting". The list includes bank and safekeeping costs, appraisals, surveys, title searches, sale costs and broker commissions, upkeep of estate property including crops and livestock, insurance, transfer fees, tax return preparation, publications and mailings, locating heirs, and the costs of ancillary administration in another state.

Each of those payments is approved or questioned at the end, not when you make it. Under 2-7-802(b), unless the will says otherwise, expenses are paid first out of estate income and then from the residue. A separate estate checking account, with a receipt for every payment, is the simplest way to rebuild the numbers later. The accounting also shows how you handled creditors, so keep the claims file beside it and read up on paying debts in order before money goes out.

Interim Reports During a Longer Estate

Wyoming expects most estates to finish in a year. W.S. 2-7-801(c) says administration shall be completed within one year from the date of the personal representative's appointment unless good cause is shown by a verified report and the court enters an order approving a continuance. The court can respond to a missed year with contempt, removal and replacement of the personal representative, or any other remedy that moves the estate to a close. The rest of the calendar is in the Wyoming probate timeline.

W.S. 2-7-806 covers reports before the final one:

• Voluntary. Under (a), the personal representative may file a verified interim report and accounting at any time, showing the condition of the estate, its debts and property, the money received and what was done with the assets.
• Required after a year. Under (b), if the final report and accounting is not filed within one year from appointment, a verified interim report and accounting is filed at the end of that year and every year after until the final report is filed.
• Ordered. Under (c), the court may order an interim report at any time on its own motion or on the application of any creditor or distributee.

One limit matters for anyone relying on an interim report. Under 2-7-806(e), no interim report is binding on a creditor or distributee unless the court set it for hearing and notice went to the creditors and distributees by certified mail at least 20 days before the hearing.

The Final Report and Accounting

When the estate is ready to close, W.S. 2-7-811(a) has the personal representative file with the clerk of court, under oath, a final report and accounting and petition for distribution. It is one document that does three jobs. Under 2-7-811(b) it sets out:

1. An accurate description of the real estate the decedent owned at death that the personal representative has not sold and conveyed, with the nature and extent of the decedent's interest.
2. Whether the decedent died with or without a will.
3. The name and residence of the surviving spouse, or that none survived.
4. In an estate without a will, the name, residence and relationship of each heir.
5. In an estate with a will, the name, residence and relationship of each devisee.
6. Whether any legacy or devise remains a charge on the real estate, and its nature and amount.
7. Whether any distributee is under a legal disability.
8. The name of the conservator or trustee for any distributee and the court that issued the letters.
9. An accounting of all the monies and personal property that came into the personal representative's hands, unless all interested parties waive it.
10. A statement of whether all statutory tax requirements, including those of W.S. 2-7-812(a), have been met.
11. The personal representative's proposed distribution of the estate.

Item 9 is the only waivable part. When every interested party signs off, you can skip the money-in, money-out schedule. The real estate description, the family information, the tax statement and the proposed distribution still go in, and the court still holds the hearing.

The tax statement ties into W.S. 2-7-812. Before a final decree is entered, the court must be satisfied, by receipts, cancelled checks, certificates, closing letters and other proof, that all federal, state, county and municipal taxes on the estate have been paid. The court will not discharge the personal representative, release the bond or issue the final decree until all inheritance and estate taxes and interest are paid or the court finds that none is chargeable. Wyoming's own estate tax under W.S. 39-19-103 is measured by the federal state death tax credit, and the federal estate tax guide explains why that yields no Wyoming tax today and when a federal return applies.

Notice, Objections and the Hearing

The final report is set for a hearing. Under 2-7-811(c), a copy of it and a notice of hearing are served as provided in W.S. 2-7-204 and 2-7-205. Section 2-7-204 prints the notice form, titled "Notice of Final Settlement of Estate", and says it goes out when the estate is in condition for final settlement but not less than three months after the first publication of the notice of probate. The notice names the last day for filing objections.

W.S. 2-7-205(b) says who gets it and when. Unless they waive it in writing, the notice is mailed at least 10 days before the hearing or objection date to the surviving spouse and to all of the heirs (no will) or all of the beneficiaries named in the will.

Objections follow a set path. Under 2-7-811(d), an interested party who wants to object files written objections, in duplicate, with the clerk at or before the time fixed in the notice. Under 2-7-811(e), a timely written objection can question anything in the report and anything improperly left out of it, except a matter already finally decided. The personal representative has the burden of proof on every issue of fact or law raised at the hearing. At the end, the court enters the order the facts and the law require.

That burden is the reason to keep complete records. If a beneficiary questions an expense, the personal representative has to prove it, not the other way around.

Decree of Distribution, Discharge and Closing

After the hearing, W.S. 2-7-813 has the court approve the final report, with any changes or supplements it requires, and enter a final decree of distribution. The decree names the people who take and the share each receives. The personal representative then makes the distributions "forthwith", and a distributee can sue to recover a share from the personal representative or anyone holding it.

Distribution does not have to wait for the very end in every estate. Under W.S. 2-7-807(a), any time after 30 days from the end of the claim period, the personal representative or a distributee may petition for partial or complete distribution. The court orders it only for property above what is needed for administration costs, claims and taxes, and it may require each distributee to post bond for a share of the debts.

Discharge is its own step. Under W.S. 2-7-814, once the estate is fully administered, the personal representative may petition for final discharge. On proof of payment or receipts showing that all money due has been paid and all property delivered under the court's order, and that every required act was done, the court enters a decree discharging the personal representative and the bondsman, if any, from further liability. Keep the signed receipts from every distributee for this filing.

One last route covers an estate with nothing left. Under W.S. 2-7-815, the court may close a pending estate on its own motion or on any party's application when no known assets remain for administration or distribution. That order does not release the personal representative or the surety unless the order says so, so a closing order alone is not a discharge.

A Practical Checklist

• Calendar 120 days from the date on your letters, or 75 days from the will's admission if the elective share applies, and file the sworn inventory with the clerk.
• List the homestead and any debt the personal representative or anyone else owed the decedent.
• Line up disinterested appraisers early for land, minerals, livestock and business interests, and file the sworn appraisal report within 120 days after the inventory.
• Appraise and file anything found later within one month.
• Run every dollar through one estate account and keep receipts.
• If the estate will pass one year, file the verified report that asks for a continuance and the annual interim report.
• Ask the beneficiaries whether they will waive the 2-7-811(b)(ix) accounting in writing, and plan for the hearing either way.
• Gather tax proof for 2-7-812, then the distributees' receipts for the 2-7-814 discharge.

For the role as a whole, return to the personal representative's role. For the step-by-step court process, see the Wyoming probate guide.

Related Guides

• Wyoming Executor Duties
• Wyoming Probate Timeline
• Wyoming Creditor Claims
• Wyoming Debt Payment Priority
• Wyoming Probate Guide
• Wyoming Surviving Spouse Rights
• Wyoming District Courts by County

Sources:

• Title: W.S. 39-19-103, Imposition of tax. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 39. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title39.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-2-401, Schedule; additional charges. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-5-101, Elective share of property. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-204, Final account and petition for distribution; form. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-205, Parties entitled to receive. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-403, Return of inventory of estate by representative; failure to comply; disposition of fines. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-404, Report of appraisal; verification of values of estate assets. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-407, Effect of naming debtor as personal representative. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-408, Discharge or bequest of debt or demand not valid against creditors. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-409, Failure to file inventory or appraisement. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-410, Appraisement of after-discovered property; filing; enforcement. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-801, Declaration of policy; clerk to maintain calendar; administration to be completed within one year; exception. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-802, Expenses of administration; standard; how paid. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-803, Fees of personal representative; schedule. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-806, Verified interim report and accounting. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-807, Distribution before final settlement; notice; hearing; costs. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-811, Final report and accounting and petition for distribution; contents; notice and hearing thereon. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-812, Payment of all taxes prerequisite; filing of documents. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-813, Final decree of distribution. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-814, Discharge of personal representative. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf
• Title: W.S. 2-7-815, Closing of estates. Publisher: Wyoming State Legislature, Wyoming Statutes Title 2. Publication Date: Not listed (title PDF created 2026-05-08), accessed 2026-09-28. URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title02.pdf

It is not legal advice.