South Dakota — How to Prove You Are Your Father's Child for Inheritance
Proving Legal Parentage for Inheritance in South Dakota: What to Do When Dad’s Name Isn’t on the Birth Certificate This page explains how someone born in South Dakota can prove they are their father’s child for purposes of inheritance when the father’s name does not appear on the birth certificate. It explains the typical legal […]
Read article →Protecting an Inheritance in South Dakota: What to Do If an Estate Is Contested
Protecting an Inheritance in South Dakota: Key Steps and Practical Guidance This article explains how to protect an inheritance in South Dakota when a family member contests an estate. It describes relevant South Dakota probate law, common contest grounds, practical steps to preserve your inheritance, and when to involve an attorney. This is educational information […]
Read article →Becoming Administrator of Your Sister’s Estate in South Dakota
Can I be appointed administrator of my sister’s estate in South Dakota when she died without a will? Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. This article explains general South Dakota probate rules to help you understand the process. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed South Dakota attorney […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in South Dakota: Required Notices and Steps
Notifying Heirs and Interested Persons When Opening Probate in South Dakota Short answer (FAQ style): When you open probate in South Dakota the personal representative or petitioner must notify all “interested persons” — typically the decedent’s heirs (if there is no will), devisees (people named in a will), the surviving spouse, and others with a […]
Read article →Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home With a Reverse Mortgage in South Dakota
Detailed Answer Short answer: When a reverse mortgage borrower dies, the loan becomes due and the lender wants clear authority over who can sell the property. In South Dakota the lender commonly asks for renunciation letters (or other probate documents) so it can identify who has authority to act for the estate or to accept […]
Read article →What to do when a relative refuses to renounce appointment — South Dakota
Steps to take when a family member refuses to renounce appointment in probate (South Dakota) Detailed answer When someone who has priority to be appointed as personal representative (sometimes called an executor or administrator) will not sign a written renunciation, you still have options under South Dakota probate practice. This section explains how appointment priority […]
Read article →South Dakota — How to Include an Out-of-State House in Your Will
Can I include a house I own outside South Dakota in my South Dakota will? Short answer: Yes. You can name an out-of-state house in a will you sign under South Dakota law, but property law of the state where the house is located will control title and may require additional steps (often called ancillary […]
Read article →How to Start Determining Legal Ownership of a Portion of Land in South Dakota
Detailed Answer If you need to determine who legally owns a portion of land that belonged to your grandfather in South Dakota, start with documentary public records and basic facts. The very first step is to confirm the property’s legal description and where the official records are kept. That single action focuses every follow-up search […]
Read article →South Dakota: Joint Bank Accounts and Property After an Intestate Death
How South Dakota law treats jointly held bank accounts and property when someone dies without a will Detailed Answer Short summary: In South Dakota, what happens to money and property after a person dies without a will depends first on how each asset is titled. Assets that pass outside probate (joint accounts with rights of […]
Read article →South Dakota: Reimbursable Expenses for Maintaining Estate Property Before Sale
Detailed Answer Short answer: Under South Dakota probate law, the personal representative (executor or administrator) may pay and later seek reimbursement from the estate for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred to preserve, insure, maintain, and sell estate property. Reimbursable costs typically include utilities, insurance, ordinary repairs, property taxes, security, advertising and sales costs, appraisal and […]
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