Probate Records

Probate records are handled by the local county court. The court decides what to do with the assets and debts of decedents. (People who die intestate (no will), or who have filed a will.)

Each state has passed laws that determine how property is legally disbursed to heirs and creditors. This process is known as PROBATE.

Intestate individuals have executors appointed by the court who organize and present a list of assets and debts to the court. The court then decides how to divide the assets according to law. If a person dies destitute the county is forced to pick up the burial costs. Most of these people, end up in paupers graves. In larger jurisdictions, they are often buried en masse.

Counties generally keep separate indexes to their probates and wills. They are available on a local basis. Many of the probate records are available through the Utah Genealogical Society library in Salt Lake City, Utah.