AGENCY: District Court (Seventh District : San Juan County)

SERIES: 1314
TITLE: Probate record books
DATES: 1888-1985.
ARRANGEMENT: Chronological by date.

DESCRIPTION: Probate record books contain the details of proceedings in estate and guardianship cases. Personal name change cases may also appear. For deceased persons, the will, appraisals and inventories, and the settlements are recorded. For guardianships, the appointment of a guardian and frequently an account of some property are noted. Adoption records give the full order of adoption, often with statements from both the natural and adoptive parents or a social service agency detailing circumstances of the adoption. The county probate court was responsible for the proceedings of these cases until statehood (1896), at which time the probate court was dissolved and the district court assumed the responsibility.

RETENTION

DISPOSITION

RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION

These records are in Archives' permanent custody.

FORMAT MANAGEMENT

Microfilm master: For records beginning in 1888 through 1985. Retain in State Archives permanently.

Microfilm duplicate: For records beginning in 1888 through 1985. Retain in State Archives permanently.

Paper: Retain in State Archives permanently after microfilming.

APPRAISAL

Historical

Disposition based on the value of these records in fully documenting probate proceedings in the court as well as the valuable information they contain related to socioeconomic and family data.

PRIMARY DESIGNATION

Public

SECONDARY DESIGNATION

Exempt. UCA 78-30-15 (2008). As of 1 July 1999, adoptions become public after 100 years; until then they are sealed and only obtainable through the court. These books include occasional reference to adoptions.