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Adams County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Adams County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Adams County Court |
| Courthouse address | Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 500 W 4th Street, Hastings, NE 68901 |
| Mailing address | Adams County Court, P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095 |
| Phone | 402-461-7143 |
| Fax | 402-461-7144 |
| [email protected], for questions, not filing documents. Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212 does not allow e-mail filings in Nebraska courts. | |
| Hours | The Adams County Court is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The courthouse building's general hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 402-461-7143 before traveling. |
| Filing fee | $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with another $22 for each subsequent petition or application in an informal proceeding; a formal probate is charged on a schedule keyed to the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, from $22 on estates of $1,000 or less to $1,500 over $5,000,000 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125). Confirm the current amount with the clerk of the Adams County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | Adams County publishes no probate form of its own. Use the Nebraska Judicial Branch forms and the uniform fax cover sheet when a self-represented filing is sent by fax (Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B)). |
| E-filing | A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), and should ask the clerk whether optional non-attorney registration under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 is open. |
| Case search | Statewide trial court case search is through Nebraska.gov, running on the Judicial Branch's JUSTICE case management system at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases has no charge; viewing a case's details is $2, with no extra charge for document images, and frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. The same case information is available without charge at any courthouse kiosk or law library. |
| Remote appearance | Nebraska law allows a county court to hear all nonevidentiary hearings, and any evidentiary hearing the court approves with all appearing parties' stipulation, by telephone or videoconference, in a manner that preserves an accurate record (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Adams County is in the tenth county judge district, whose remote technology rules require parties to contact the clerk magistrate, who is the clerk of the county court in Adams County, at least 5 days before the hearing and provide exhibits 48 hours before the hearing (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507). |
| County judge district | Adams County is in Nebraska's tenth county judge district, which assigns county judges and county court local rules (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | Judicial Branch page: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/adams-county-court. Adams County page: https://adamscountyne.gov/county-court. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Adams County, list the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiaries, and any real estate. That first estate settlement inventory determines whether you need an informal application, a formal petition after notice, an affidavit route, or legal help before filing.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can search across more than 2,300 institutions for accounts and assets, then organize what you find into a probate packet for the Adams County Court or for a local attorney to review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Adams County is filed with the clerk of the Adams County Court at Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 500 W 4th Street, Hastings, NE 68901. Mail filings to Adams County Court, P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095.
Nebraska district courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are issued in the county court, which has exclusive original jurisdiction of all matters relating to decedents' estates (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517). Adams County sits in Nebraska's tenth county judge district, which is how county judges and county court local rules are assigned; the case itself is filed at this county's own courthouse (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-502, § 24-503).
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding is in the county where the decedent had domicile at death, or, for a nonresident decedent, in a county where the decedent had property (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410). For an Adams County domicile, start in Hastings.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the opening track. Informal probate uses an application to the registrar, whose acts are performed by a county judge or by a person designated by written court order; the application is delivered to the clerk of the Adams County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216). Formal probate uses a petition to the court after notice.
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses of interested persons, asset information, and debt information. Informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- File with the clerk of the Adams County Court in Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 500 W 4th Street, Hastings, by mail to P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095, or, if filing without a lawyer, by fax to 402-461-7144 with the uniform cover sheet required for fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202).
- Pay the filing fee. The statutory base is $22 for a proceeding commenced and closed informally, and formal probate fees are based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125).
- If a hearing is set, ask early about remote technology. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704, qualifying hearings may be held by telephone or videoconference. The tenth county judge district rules presume in-person proceedings, but allow remote technology with court permission; contact the clerk magistrate, who serves as the clerk of the county court in Adams County, at least 5 days before the hearing, and provide exhibits 48 hours before the hearing if exhibits will be used (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507).
- After appointment, the clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with the first publication within thirty days after appointment (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483). Claims covered by that notice are barred unless presented within two months after the first publication, subject to the statutory exceptions and extension procedure (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485).
- Give any required notice to the Department of Health and Human Services if the decedent was 55 or older or resided in a medical institution (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Use the issued Letters to collect estate assets, manage creditor claims, prepare the inventory, and keep records for the estate settlement. The court provides one certified copy of Letters without charge in a formal probate fee case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125).
- Address Nebraska inheritance tax. The Adams County Court determines the county inheritance tax, and the tax is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01). Rates and exemptions depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and on whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
- Distribute property only after the required steps are complete, then close the estate with the proper closing statement or court order for the track being used (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Adams County
Adams County does not publish a separate probate form, local probate cover sheet, or Adams County estate-opening packet. The statewide Nebraska materials are the starting point, and the clerk of the Adams County Court cannot create the application or petition for you.
| Form or resource | Use |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, revised July 2022 | Used for qualifying personal property when the statutory conditions are met, including the $100,000 ceiling and the required waiting period (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). It is presented to the property holder, not filed to open an Adams County Court case. |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, revised October 2025 | Used for qualifying Nebraska real property interests and recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the land is located (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129). If Adams County land is involved, confirm recording requirements with the Adams County register of deeds. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page when a person filing without a lawyer sends a filing by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| Flowchart for Informal Probate Filed with a Will (Testate) | A Nebraska Judicial Branch flowchart for an uncontested will case. It does not cover cases with no will, a will contest, or a contested estate or distribution. See nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates. |
The Nebraska Judicial Branch does not publish a statewide form for the application that opens informal probate or the petition that opens formal probate after notice. Sunset can generate a county-specific packet for attorney review or filing with the Adams County Court.
Timeline
- For a remote hearing request in Adams County, contact the clerk of the Adams County Court at least 5 days before the hearing under the tenth county judge district's remote technology rules and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704.
- If exhibits will be used at a remote hearing, provide them to the court and opposing parties 48 hours before the hearing. If exhibits or affidavits exceed 20 pages in the aggregate, submit hard copies as the district rule requires.
- For estate deadlines, do not use the remote hearing schedule as a substitute for probate deadlines. Informal probate has a 120-hour waiting rule (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415), creditor claims tied to notice are barred after two months from first publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485), and Nebraska inheritance tax is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2004).
Local nuance
Adams County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Suite 203, 2nd Floor | The Adams County Court filing counter is in Suite 203 on the 2nd Floor of the Adams County Courthouse at 500 W 4th Street in Hastings. |
| Court hours differ from building hours | The county court is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The courthouse building's general hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, so call 402-461-7143 before traveling. |
| Tenth district remote technology rule | Remote hearing requests in Adams County are governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704 and the tenth county judge district's rules, including the 5 day contact rule and the 48 hour exhibit rule. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Archetype | Likely Adams County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home is titled and whether any Adams County Court filing is needed. If an opened estate is required, file in Hastings with the clerk of the Adams County Court. If a qualifying real property affidavit is the right route, CC 15:41 is recorded with the register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. | Sunset organizes title questions, account discovery, debt information, and the estate settlement checklist before a filing or attorney review. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If only personal property is involved and the statutory conditions fit, CC 15:40 may be presented to the property holder under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. If an Adams County Court case is needed, mail filing and self-represented fax filing are available, and a hearing may be considered for remote technology under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. | Sunset helps identify accounts, prepare the affidavit or probate packet, and decide what must be handled in Adams County. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | When a home must be sold through an estate, plan for a county judge rather than relying on a clerk magistrate to resolve sale authority, because clerk magistrate authority does not include authorization to sell or mortgage real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519, § 24-507). File the estate in the Adams County Court if venue is proper under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410. | Sunset assembles asset information, sale-related documents, creditor details, and a referral to a local probate attorney when court approval or a contested issue is likely. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Adams County Court | Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 500 W 4th Street, Hastings, NE 68901. Mail: P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095. Phone 402-461-7143. Fax 402-461-7144. Email [email protected] for questions, not filings. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. |
| Adams County Court page | https://adamscountyne.gov/county-court. Use it for the county's court location, hours, court calendar link, court-date lookup link, and self-help information link. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates. Use the Estates section for Nebraska court process information, estate claims information, affidavit materials, and the informal probate flowchart on nebraskajudicial.gov. |
| Nebraska Judicial Branch forms | Use CC 15:40 for qualifying personal property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, CC 15:41 for qualifying real property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, and the uniform fax cover sheet for self-represented fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| Statewide case search | https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. The JUSTICE search is run through Nebraska.gov; viewing a case's details is $2, and frequent users can open an annual $100 subscriber account. |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Statewide AccessLine 1.877.250.2016, Monday and Wednesday 8:30 am to 11:30 am, Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Central. ElderAccessLine 1.800.527.7249 serves people 60 and over in all 93 counties. Screening is by household income, assets, and legal issue; the published practice areas are family, debt, housing, and benefits rather than estate administration, and the organization takes no walk-ins. See legalaidofnebraska.org. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/. Qualifying users may post civil legal questions for Nebraska volunteer attorneys. Its topic list does not include estates, and volunteers cannot represent anyone in court. |
| Limited Scope Representation | Information is available through nebraskajudicial.gov. Limited Scope Representation can help a family hire a lawyer for part of an estate settlement rather than every task. |
When to hire an attorney
Nebraska does not require a personal representative to hire a lawyer, and the Judicial Branch's self-help materials say the law allows self-representation. The same materials say filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help and that the Self-Help Center cannot supply forms for every situation. Counsel makes sense when Adams County real estate must be sold, the will or heirs are contested, inheritance tax questions are significant, or the family needs Limited Scope Representation through nebraskajudicial.gov. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help locate bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may belong in the Adams County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into an organized estate settlement packet for the Adams County Court, including court-ready details for an informal application, a formal petition after notice, or affidavit materials when those routes fit.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs court approval to sell real estate, has a dispute, or raises inheritance tax questions, Sunset connects families with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize assets, documents, deadlines, and next steps without paying Sunset for probate help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Adams County, Nebraska?
File with the clerk of the Adams County Court in Suite 203, 2nd Floor, Adams County Courthouse, 500 W 4th Street, Hastings, NE 68901. Mail goes to Adams County Court, P.O. Box 95, Hastings, NE 68902-0095. Venue depends on the decedent's domicile or, for a nonresident, property location (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
Is the Adams County district court the right place for probate?
No. Nebraska district courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are issued in the county court, which has exclusive original jurisdiction of all matters relating to decedents' estates (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517). Use the Adams County Court in Hastings.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Adams County?
Nebraska law allows a person to represent themselves, but the Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. A lawyer is especially useful if a formal probate after notice is needed, real estate must be sold, beneficiaries disagree, or inheritance tax questions are significant (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
How much does it cost to open probate in Adams County?
The base statutory filing fee is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with additional $22 charges for later petitions or applications in that informal proceeding. A formal probate fee is based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death and can run up to $1,500 for an estate over $5,000,000 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125). Call 402-461-7143 to confirm what the clerk will collect when you file.
Can I use an affidavit instead of opening an Adams County Court case?
Possibly. The Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, CC 15:40, applies to qualifying personal property and is presented to the person or institution holding the property, not filed to open a court case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). The Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, CC 15:41, applies to qualifying Nebraska real property interests and is recorded with the register of deeds where the land is located (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129).
Can I file by fax or email in Adams County?
A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax to 402-461-7144 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which remains available for non-attorney fax filing until July 1, 2028 unless the Nebraska Supreme Court changes that date. A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). The court email address is for questions, not filing documents, because Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212 bars e-mail filings.
Can I appear by phone or video for an Adams County probate hearing?
The court may allow qualifying hearings by telephone or videoconference under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. Adams County's tenth county judge district presumes in-person hearings, but its remote technology rules allow remote proceedings with court permission; contact the clerk magistrate, who serves as the clerk of the county court in Adams County, at least 5 days before the hearing and provide exhibits 48 hours before the hearing if exhibits will be used (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507).
How do I look up an Adams County probate case?
Use the statewide Nebraska.gov JUSTICE search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases has no charge, viewing a case's details is $2, and frequent users can open an annual $100 Nebraska.gov subscriber account. The same case information is available without charge at courthouse kiosks and law libraries.
What are the Adams County Court hours?
The Adams County Court is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The courthouse building's general hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, so call the court line, 402-461-7143, before you travel to Hastings.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax in an Adams County estate?
Yes. Nebraska inheritance tax is a county tax determined by the Adams County Court and due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01). Rates and exemptions depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and on whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.