Nebraska Statutes 30-24,125. Collection of personal property by affidavit
(a) Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action to a person claiming to be the successor of the decedent upon being presented an affidavit made by or on behalf of the successor stating:
Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 30-24,125
- Action: shall include any proceeding in any court of this state. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Decedent: A deceased person.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Person: shall include bodies politic and corporate, societies, communities, the public generally, individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, joint-stock companies, and associations. See Nebraska Statutes 49-801
- Personal property: All property that is not real property.
- Uniform Commercial Code: A set of statutes enacted by the various states to provide consistency among the states' commercial laws. It includes negotiable instruments, sales, stock transfers, trust and warehouse receipts, and bills of lading. Source: OCC
(1) the value of all of the personal property in the decedent’s estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars;
(2) thirty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent as shown in a certified or authenticated copy of the decedent’s death certificate attached to the affidavit;
(3) the claiming successor’s relationship to the decedent or, if there is no relationship, the basis of the successor’s claim to the personal property;
(4) the person or persons claiming as successors under the affidavit swear or affirm that all statements in the affidavit are true and material and further acknowledge that any false statement may subject the person or persons to penalties relating to perjury under section 28-915 ;
(5) no application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and
(6) the claiming successor is entitled to payment or delivery of the property.
(b) A transfer agent of any security shall change the registered ownership on the books of a corporation from the decedent to the successor or successors upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a).
(c) Upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a), the claiming successor may endorse or negotiate any instrument evidencing a debt belonging to the decedent that is a check, draft, or other negotiable instrument that is payable to the decedent or the decedent’s estate. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3-403, 3-417, or 3-420, Uniform Commercial Code, a financial institution accepting such a check, draft, or other negotiable instrument presented for deposit in such manner is discharged from all claims for the amount accepted.
(d)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(2), in addition to compliance with the requirements of subsection (a), a person seeking a transfer of a certificate of title to a motor vehicle, motorboat, all-terrain vehicle, utility-type vehicle, or minibike shall be required to furnish to the Department of Motor Vehicles an affidavit showing applicability of this section and compliance with the requirements of this section to authorize the department to issue a new certificate of title.
(2) After ten years have elapsed since the estate has closed, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall waive the requirements of subdivision (a)(5) if the person seeking a transfer of a certificate of title provides evidence that the estate has closed and a certified authenticated copy of the decedent’s death certificate.