The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho has drafted a new probate code to take more control of the process.

The tribe wants to hear probate cases in tribal court, particularly in cases without a will. The code would pre-empt the state's probate code.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs would continue to handle probate cases involving trust land. The tribal courts will handle probate of personal property and family heirlooms.

Get the Story:
Tribal proposal would let tribal courts hear probate cases (AP 10/11)
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Federal Register Notice:
Indian Trust Management Reform; Proposed Rule | PDF Version

Relevant Documents:
Proposed Regulation Changes (Posted by the Inter-Tribal Monitoring Association)

Relevant Links:
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org
Intertribal Trust Fund Monitoring Association - http://www.itmatrustfunds.org
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

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