A partnership between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the nonprofit Oklahoma Indian Legal Services seeks to reduce the probate backlog in eastern Oklahoma.

The partnership will address probates handled by the state courts. Federal law gives the state jurisdiction over the estates of members of the Five Civilized Tribes -- the Seminole, Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek and Chickasaw nations.

The BIA says hundreds of cases involving hundreds and thousands of dollars have sat unresolved in the state court system.

Get the Story:
Partnership seeks to unclog Indian probates (The Oklahoman 10/6)
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Eastern Oklahoma tribes to finally have estates probated (The Native American Times 10/5)

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Indian Legal Services - http://www.oilsonline.org
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

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