2017 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 2 - WILLS, DECEDENTS' ESTATES AND PROBATE CODE
CHAPTER 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 2 - DISTRIBUTION BY AFFIDAVIT AND
SECTION 2-1-202 - Effect; refusal to pay, deliver.
2-1-202. Effect; refusal to pay, deliver.
(a) The person having custody of the decedent's property or a holder of the decedent's property:
(i) Paying, delivering, transferring or issuing personal property or the evidence thereof pursuant to affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if he dealt with a personal representative of the decedent; and
(ii) Is not required to see to the application of the personal property or evidence thereof or to inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit.
(b) If any person having custody of the decedent's property or a holder of decedent's property to whom an affidavit is delivered refuses to pay, deliver, transfer or issue any personal property or evidence thereof, the property may be recovered or its payment, delivery, transfer or issuance compelled upon proof of right in an action by or on behalf of the persons entitled thereto. If an action is brought under this subsection, the court shall award reasonable attorney's fees and costs of the action to the plaintiff if the court finds that the decedent's property was not paid, delivered, transferred or issued within forty-five (45) days after presentation of the affidavit under W.S. 2-1-201 unless the court finds just cause for the refusal to pay, deliver or transfer the property.
(c) Any person to whom payment, delivery, transfer or issuance is made is answerable and accountable to a personal representative of the estate or to any other person having a like or superior right.
(d) For purposes of this article, "holder" means any person who is in possession of property of the decedent and includes but is not limited to a security broker, security dealer, bank, savings and loan institution, credit union or any other like depository.
