Utah § 75-3-703 - General duties -- Relation and liability to persons interested in estate -- Standing to sue.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 75-3-703 — General duties -- Relation and liability to persons interested in estate -- Standing to sue., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 75-3-703. General duties -- Relation and liability to persons interested in estate -- Standing to sue.

Effective 5/7/2025
75-3-703.  General duties -- Relation and liability to persons interested in estate -- Standing to sue.
(1)
(a)A personal representative is a fiduciary who shall observe the standard of care applicable to trustees as described by Section 75B-2-902.
(b)A personal representative is under a duty to settle and distribute the estate of the decedent in accordance with the terms of any probated and effective will and this title and as expeditiously and efficiently as is consistent with the best interests of the estate.
(c)A personal representative shall use the authority conferred upon the personal representative by this title, the terms of the will, if any, and any order in proceedings to which the personal representative is party for the best interests of successors to the estate.
(2)
(a)A personal representative may not be surcharged for acts of administration or distribution if the conduct in question was authorized at the time.
(b)Subject to other obligations of administration, an informally probated will is authority to administer and distribute the estate according to the terms of the will.
(c)An order of appointment of a personal representative, whether issued in informal or formal proceedings, is authority to distribute apparently intestate assets to the heirs of the decedent if, at the time of distribution, the personal representative is not aware of a pending testacy proceeding, a proceeding to vacate an order entered in an earlier testacy proceeding, a formal proceeding questioning his appointment or fitness to continue, or a supervised administration proceeding.
(d)Nothing in this section affects the duty of the personal representative to administer and distribute the estate in accordance with the rights of claimants, the surviving spouse, any minor and dependent children, and any pretermitted child of the decedent as described elsewhere in this title.
(3)Except as to proceedings which do not survive the death of the decedent, a personal representative of a decedent domiciled in this state at the decedent's death has the same standing to sue and be sued in the courts of this state and courts of any other jurisdiction as the decedent had immediately prior to death.


Amended by Chapter 310, 2025 General Session

Source: official Utah text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 75-3-703

What does Utah Code § 75-3-703 cover?

Section 75-3-703 ("General duties -- Relation and liability to persons interested in estate -- Standing to sue.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Utah § 75-3-703?

A common citation format is "Utah Code § 75-3-703" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Utah law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.

How does Utah § 75-3-703 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Utah.