Sandy Probate Court Records
Probate court records for Sandy are maintained by the Third Judicial District Court at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Sandy is part of Salt Lake County, and all estate cases, will filings, guardianships, and conservatorships for Sandy residents go through this court. You can search probate court records from Sandy online through Utah XChange, by phone with the probate division, or in person at the courthouse. Records go back to 1852 and most are public under Utah law.
Sandy Quick Facts
Where Sandy Probate Records Are Kept
All Sandy probate court cases are filed at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City. This is the main courthouse for all Third District Court matters in Salt Lake County, including estate and probate cases. The courthouse is at 450 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860. The general court phone number is (801) 238-7300. The probate division has its own direct number: (801) 238-7164. Call that line for questions specific to estate and guardianship cases in Sandy.
| Court | Third Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Scott M. Matheson Courthouse 450 South State St, P.O. Box 1860 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860 |
| General Phone | (801) 238-7300 |
| Probate Division | (801) 238-7164 |
| Website | utcourts.gov |
Salt Lake County probate records begin in 1852. The courthouse handles active cases. Older records, particularly those from the 1800s and early 1900s, may be held at the Utah State Archives. If you are searching for a Sandy estate case from more than 50 or 60 years ago, start with the Archives before contacting the courthouse.
How to Search Sandy Probate Records
There are three main ways to search probate court records for Sandy cases. Each works a bit differently. Pick the one that fits what you need.
The first option is the Utah Courts XChange system. This is the most complete online tool for Salt Lake County probate records. You can search by name, case number, or year. XChange shows party names, filing dates, hearing schedules, and case status. Documents cost $1.00 each to view within the system. The signup fee is $5, and standard searches are $0.35 each. A flat $40 monthly plan covers unlimited use. Go to utcourts.gov/xchange to set up an account. This system is run directly by the Utah court system and is the most reliable source for active Sandy probate cases.
The second option is MyCourtCase, which is a free lookup tool. It shows basic docket information like party names and event dates, but you cannot view actual documents through it. Good for confirming a case exists before spending money on XChange or a courthouse visit.
The third option is visiting the courthouse in person. Public access terminals at the Matheson Courthouse let you search the case index for free. Staff at the probate division window, reachable at (801) 238-7164, can also search by name and pull files. This is the best choice if you need to review the full case file or order certified copies of probate documents the same day.
Utah Courts XChange for Sandy Records
XChange is how most people search Salt Lake County probate court records for Sandy cases without going to the courthouse. The system indexes all Third District Court filings, including those tied to Sandy addresses. You can search for cases involving a specific person's estate, check on a guardianship, or look up a will probate filed years ago.
The screenshot below is from the Utah Courts XChange portal, the main online system for accessing Third District Court probate records in Sandy and the rest of Salt Lake County.
XChange is the official court-run search portal and the most direct way to look up Sandy probate cases online without visiting Salt Lake City.
Once you are in XChange, a basic search needs a last name. You can narrow results by first name, case year, or case number if you have them. The system will return any matching cases filed in Salt Lake County. From there, you can see the docket entries and pay to view specific documents. For Sandy estate cases, you may find the original petition, the will, inventory filings, and orders from the probate judge all within one case file.
Sandy Probate Case Types
The Third District Court handles several types of probate matters for Sandy residents. Estate administration is the most common. This is the process of collecting and distributing a deceased person's assets under court supervision. The case may be formal or informal depending on whether a valid will exists and whether anyone disputes the process.
Guardianship cases involve appointing someone to make personal decisions for a minor or an adult who cannot manage their own affairs. Conservatorship cases are similar but focus on financial management. Both are filed at the Third District Court and become public records accessible through XChange or in person at the courthouse. Sandy residents file these cases the same way as estate cases, and the probate division handles them all.
For small estates under $100,000 with no real property, Utah law provides a simplified path. A signed affidavit can transfer assets without opening a court case. No probate record is created when this route is taken, so searching the court index will show nothing. This explains why you may not find a record even when you know an estate existed.
Note: The $375 initial filing fee applies when opening a formal or informal probate case at the Third District Court. Small estate affidavits have no court filing fee because no case is opened.
Historical Sandy Probate Records
Salt Lake County probate records date to 1852. Many of the older records are available through the Utah State Archives and through genealogy resources. The image below shows the Utah State Archives, which holds historical court and probate records for Salt Lake County including those tied to the Sandy area.
The Utah State Archives are at 346 South Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City. Records there include probate files from the territorial period and early statehood that are no longer held at the courthouse. Contact them through archives.utah.gov before traveling to Salt Lake City for historical research.
For genealogy purposes, FamilySearch has indexed many Utah probate records. Their Utah collection covers Salt Lake County records and includes will abstracts, estate inventories, and other probate documents from the 1800s and early 1900s. Access is free through the FamilySearch website.
Utah Probate Law and Sandy Filings
Sandy probate cases fall under Utah Title 75, the Utah Uniform Probate Code. This law controls everything from how wills must be executed to how estates are distributed and closed. The same rules apply across all of Salt Lake County.
The 120-hour rule under Utah Code Section 75-2-104 requires a beneficiary to survive the deceased person by at least five days to inherit. This comes up in accident situations where two people die close in time. The rule determines inheritance order and can affect which estates are probated at the Third District Court.
Utah Code Section 75-3-107 sets a three-year deadline to begin formal probate after a death. After that window closes, formal probate through the court is generally not available. Some estates are never filed with the court at all, either because they qualified for the small estate affidavit or because heirs did not know about the requirement. Searching the court index and finding nothing does not always mean there were no assets.
Public access to Sandy probate court records is protected by Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Most probate files are public. Sealed records are rare. If a file does not come up in the index, check with the probate division at (801) 238-7164 to confirm whether a case exists under a different name or case number.
Copies and Court Forms for Sandy Cases
Plain copies of probate records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $0.50 per page plus $4.00 per certified document. You can order copies in person at the courthouse or through XChange for documents already in the system. For mailed copy requests, send a written request with the case number, the specific documents you want, your return address, and a check or money order to the clerk at P.O. Box 1860, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1860. You can also email copy requests to slccopy@utcourts.gov.
Court forms for Sandy probate cases are available free at utcourts.gov/forms. Use the current versions when filing. Old forms may be rejected. If you need help finding the right form or want to speak with a probate attorney in the Sandy area, the Utah State Bar referral service can connect you with local counsel.
Nearby Cities in Salt Lake County
These cities are also in Salt Lake County and use the Third District Court for probate filings.