AGENCY: District Court (Fourth District : Wasatch County)
SERIES: 3590
TITLE: Probate case files
DATES: 1883-
ARRANGEMENT: Numerical by case number.
DESCRIPTION: Probate case files from the Fourth District Court in Wasatch County primarily involve the probate of estates for deceased persons and guardianship for minors and incompetent persons. Probate is judicial oversight of property in transition. Probate of estates is the process by which a deceased person's property is identified and maintained, his debts and taxes paid, and then remaining property distributed to beneficiaries as specified in a will or as required by law for persons who die intestate (without a will). In guardianship cases probate is the establishment of a guardian for minors or incompetent adults who hold property that needs management. In addition to probate these case files also include name changes and some adoptions.
RETENTION
Permanent. Retain for 50 year(s)
DISPOSITION
Transfer to Archives.
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION AUTHORIZATION
These records are in Archives' permanent custody.
FORMAT MANAGEMENT
Paper: Retain in Office for 20 years and then transfer to State Records Center. Retain in State Records Center for 30 years and then transfer to State Archives with authority to weed.
Microfilm master: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
Microfilm duplicate: Retain in State Archives permanently with authority to weed.
APPRAISAL
Historical
Disposition based on documentation about individuals, legal procedure, court history and functions. Case files have legal and administrative value to the court through dismissal or satisfaction of the final judgment. Because they enforce or protect private rights and prevent or redress private wrongs, the value of the judge's decrees and final judgments to parties in the action may well extend indefinitely.
PRIMARY DESIGNATION
Public
SECONDARY DESIGNATION
Exempt. Judicial records are public unless restricted under rules of civil procedure (UCA 63G-2-301-[1][f]). Included are custody proceedings, guardianship files, minutes, & probate records. Wills are generally considered private until probate.