Grand County Probate Court Records
Grand County probate court records are part of the Seventh Judicial District Court system based in Moab, Utah. This county in southeastern Utah has maintained probate records since 1890, the year the county was carved out of Emery County. Wills, estate administrations, guardianship cases, and conservatorship matters all create public records in Grand County. You can search probate court records through the Utah Courts online system, submit a GRAMA request through the county clerk's office, or visit the courthouse in Moab to review files in person.
Grand County Quick Facts
Grand County Clerk and Court Structure
The Grand County Clerk/Auditor is Gabriel Woytek. The clerk's office is at 125 E. Center St., Moab, UT 84532. You can reach the office by phone at 435-259-1321. One important point about Grand County: the County Clerk/Auditor does not serve as the clerk of courts. Court records, including probate filings, are managed separately through the district court clerk under the state unified court system.
The Grand County Clerk/Auditor page has details on the clerk's role, hours, and services. For open records requests under GRAMA, Grand County handles these through a dedicated process. You can email your request to clerk@grandcountyutah.gov. The county typically responds to GRAMA requests within 10 business days. More information on that process is at the Grand County Open Records Request page.
| Court | Seventh Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| County Clerk/Auditor | Gabriel Woytek |
| Address | 125 E. Center St., Moab, UT 84532 |
| Phone | 435-259-1321 |
| GRAMA Email | clerk@grandcountyutah.gov |
| Clerk Page | grandcountyutah.net |
Note: The County Clerk holds marriage and probate records from 1890. Divorce and court records in Grand County begin from 1896.
Requesting Grand County Probate Records via GRAMA
Grand County provides a clear path for open records requests under Utah's Government Records Access and Management Act. GRAMA is codified at Utah Code § 63G-2. Any person can request access to public court records in Grand County without needing to explain why they want them or prove a connection to the case.
To submit a GRAMA request for Grand County probate court records, email clerk@grandcountyutah.gov with the details of what you are looking for. The county typically turns requests around within 10 business days. For court case records specifically, the district court clerk may handle those separately. It helps to know the name of the deceased, the approximate year of death, or the case number if you have it. That narrows the search and speeds up the response.
The screenshot below links to the Grand County Open Records Request page, which explains how to submit a GRAMA request and what to expect from the process.
The Grand County GRAMA page gives you the steps to request probate records and other county documents by email or in writing.
Search Grand County Probate Court Records Online
For recent cases, the Utah Courts XChange system is the primary online tool. XChange covers all Seventh District Court cases including civil, criminal, traffic, and probate filings from Grand County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system charges $5.00 to start, $0.20 per search, and $1.00 per document. Basic case status and filing information is often available for free.
For older Grand County probate court records, the Utah State Archives holds historical filings. Grand County probate records from 1898 to 1931 are part of the archived collection. Land records go back to 1890. Minutes, civil, criminal, probate, and judgment records maintained by the Clerk of District Court are also part of the state archives collection for this period.
The screenshot below shows the Grand County Clerk/Auditor page, where you can find current contact information and links to county services relevant to probate record access.
The Grand County Clerk/Auditor page is a helpful reference for understanding the county's record-keeping structure and finding the right contact for different types of requests.
Probate Records Types in Grand County
Grand County probate court records include a range of case types. Estate administration filings are the most common. These cover the legal process of settling an estate after someone dies, whether a will exists or not. Utah uses both informal and formal probate under the Uniform Probate Code, found at Utah Code Title 75. Informal probate avoids court hearings when the estate is uncomplicated and heirs agree. Formal probate is needed when there are disputes or the will is challenged.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases are also part of the Grand County probate court record system. A guardianship case appoints someone to care for a minor or an incapacitated adult. A conservatorship case appoints someone to manage another person's financial affairs. Both are filed with the district court and become part of the public record.
Small estates under $100,000 may qualify for Utah's simplified affidavit process, which bypasses standard probate. These cases may not appear in court records the same way larger estate filings do. Calling the clerk at 435-259-1321 is the best way to confirm whether a particular estate went through full probate or the affidavit route.
Legal Help for Grand County Estates
Probate in Grand County follows the same state rules that apply everywhere in Utah. The Utah Courts forms page has all the standard forms accepted by the Seventh District Court, including informal probate petitions and estate inventories. For those who want professional guidance, the Utah State Bar can refer you to an attorney who handles probate in southeastern Utah.
Two deadlines matter under Utah probate law. First, an heir must survive the decedent by at least 120 hours under Utah Code § 75-2-104 to be eligible to inherit. Second, a probate case must be started within three years of the date of death under Utah Code § 75-3-107. Both rules apply in Grand County. If you are uncertain whether to file and a deadline is approaching, consult an attorney before it passes.
Filing costs for a new probate case in Utah are currently set at $375 for the initial fee. This is the same across all Utah counties. Copy fees for court documents run $0.25 per page for plain copies, with certified copies adding a $4.00 fee per document. Always confirm current fees when you contact the court.
Note: Adoption records in Utah are sealed for 100 years by law and are not accessible through a standard probate records request in Grand County or any other Utah court.
Nearby Counties
Grand County sits in southeastern Utah. If you are not certain whether a probate filing was made in Grand County or a neighboring county, check the last known address of the decedent. Probate is filed in the county where the person lived at the time of death.