Section 2-1-201 - Payment of Indebtedness and Delivery of Tangible Personal Property or Instruments Evidencing Debt.

WY Stat § 2-1-201 (2019) (N/A)
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2-1-201. Payment of indebtedness and delivery of tangible personal property or instruments evidencing debt.

(a) Not earlier than thirty (30) days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the tangible personal property or the instrument evidencing the debt, obligation, stock or chose in action to the person or persons claiming to be the distributee or distributees of the property or the attorney for the distributee or distributees, upon being presented an affidavit, filed as provided by subsection (c) of this section, made by or on behalf of the distributee or distributees stating:

(i) The value of the entire estate located in Wyoming subject to administration, either testate or intestate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00);

(ii) Thirty (30) days have elapsed since the death of the decedent;

(iii) No application for appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction in this state;

(iv) The person or persons claiming to be a distributee or distributees are entitled to payment or delivery of the property of the decedent; the facts concerning the distributee's or distributees' relationship to the decedent and concerning the legal basis upon which the distributee or distributees claim entitlement to such property, including facts regarding any intervening estates or other parties who may have a claim of entitlement from the decedent and from whom the applicant distributee or distributees claim and that there are no other distributees of the decedent having a right to succeed to the property under probate proceedings in any jurisdiction; and

(v) If an application for appointment of a personal representative has been made in a jurisdiction outside of Wyoming:

(A) The name and address of the proposed or appointed personal representative, the date of the application and the date of any appointment; and

(B) The title of the proceedings and name of the court and jurisdiction in which the application was made.

(b) The transfer agent for any security shall change the registered ownership on the books of a corporation from the decedent to the distributee or distributees upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsections (a) and (c) of this section.

(c) When the affidavit is filed with the county clerk and a certified copy is presented to any person with custody of the decedent's property or a holder of the decedent's property, the affidavit shall be honored and have the effect as provided in this section and W.S. 2-1-202.

(d) The county clerk of the county in which any vehicle is registered shall transfer title of the vehicle from the decedent to the distributee or distributees upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a) of this section.

(e) Upon presentation of an affidavit as provided in this section, a person with custody of the decedent's property or a holder of the decedent's property shall pay or deliver any of the decedent's property held or on deposit in the sole name of the decedent, together with the interest and dividends thereon, to the distributee or distributees. A receipt for the payment by the distributee or distributees or proof of delivery by the custodian or holder of the decedent's property shall constitute a valid and sufficient release and discharge for the payment or delivery made.