District Court (Fifth District : Iron County) Record of Wills, 1871-1924.

This series is comprised of single book used to record wills with the court. The record was started in the territorial probate court for Iron County and was continued after statehood by the clerk of the state district court. The book contains handwritten copies of wills presented to the clerk of the court by residents of the county. The Territorial Legislative Assembly organized probate courts in each of Utah's counties and gave these courts jurisdiction in the probate of wills and the administration of estates of deceased persons (Laws of Utah, Chapter 42, 1852). The assembly clarified the manner in which estates should be settled. By law any person of full age and of sound mind could dispose of all of his property by will, with the exception that sufficient first be withheld to pay any outstanding debts. The signatures of two competent witnesses in addition to the testator validated a completed will. The law provided that wills could be sealed and deposited with the clerk of the probate court where they would be preserved until the death of the testator. Otherwise, any person having custody of a will could bring it into the court at the death of the testator. The law stated that if the court allowed and attested the will, it should be carried into effect (Compiled Laws of Utah, 1876, Title 14, chapter 1, sections 1-6).