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Dixon County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Dixon County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Dixon County Court |
| Courthouse address | 302 Third Street, Ponca, NE 68770. Call 402-755-5607 before traveling. |
| Mailing address | Dixon County Court, P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770 |
| Phone | 402-755-5607 |
| Fax | 402-755-5651 |
| [email protected], for questions, not filings. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska courts (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). | |
| Hours | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Call the clerk to confirm current hours before you go. |
| 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; statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026). Confirm the current amount with the clerk of the Dixon County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | Dixon County does not publish a local estate-opening packet. Use Nebraska Judicial Branch estate resources, CC 15:40, CC 15:41, and the fax cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601. |
| 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 required cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept from non-attorneys until July 1, 2028. Confirm any non-attorney electronic filing registration with the clerk before relying on it. |
| Case search | Statewide trial court case search through Nebraska.gov, running on the Judicial Branch's JUSTICE case management system: https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. As of August 2026, a general search for a list of cases has no charge; viewing case details costs $2, with no extra charge for document images; frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. The same case information is free at a 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 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Dixon County's sixth county judge district adds Rule 6.7: video or telephone appearance for a nontestimonial hearing is at the county judge's discretion, must be requested from the bailiff or courtroom clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing, and remote participants must log in 5 minutes early. |
| County judge district | Nebraska's sixth county judge district, which groups county judges and local county court rules, not the place where a Dixon County estate is filed (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/dixon-county-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Dixon County filing path, make a list of the decedent's accounts, land, vehicles, debts, taxes, and whether each asset already has a beneficiary or co-owner. Estate settlement moves faster when you know whether the family needs Letters from the Dixon County Court or can use one of Nebraska's affidavit routes.
Sunset can help with the asset-discovery part of estate settlement by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizing the results so you can decide what belongs in a court filing, what goes to an affidavit holder, and what needs attorney review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Dixon County is filed with the clerk of the Dixon County Court in Ponca. Mail filings to Dixon County Court, P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770; call 402-755-5607 before traveling to the courthouse at 302 Third Street.
Dixon County includes Allen, Concord, Dixon, Emerson, Martinsburg, Maskell, Newcastle, Ponca, Wakefield, and Waterbury. Ponca is the county seat.
Dixon County sits in Nebraska's sixth county judge district, made up of Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Thurston, and Washington counties. A county judge district assigns county judges and local county court rules; it does not move the filing counter for a Dixon County estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-502, § 24-503).
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).
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding is in the county of the decedent's domicile, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Nebraska, any county where the decedent's property was located. Later proceedings stay where the first proceeding occurred (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the track before you prepare papers. Informal probate uses an application to the registrar; formal probate uses a petition to the court with notice. In an informal proceeding, the registrar's acts are performed by a county judge or by a person designated by the court in a written order, and the application is delivered to the clerk of the Dixon County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216).
- Gather the certified death certificate, the original will if there is one, the list of heirs and devisees, account and land information, debts, and any beneficiary or co-owner 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 Dixon County Court in Ponca. A Nebraska attorney must file electronically (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). A person filing without a lawyer may deliver papers in person, mail them to P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770, or fax them to 402-755-5651 with the required cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept from non-attorneys until July 1, 2028. Email filings are not allowed (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
- Pay the filing fee. Nebraska sets $22 for a proceeding commenced and closed informally, with additional $22 charges for later petitions or applications in an informal proceeding, and formal probate fees based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125; statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026).
- After appointment, watch for creditor notice. The clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with first publication within thirty days after appointment; the party or attorney must mail the published notice and prove mailing. Claims are barred two months after first publication if notice is given as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485).
- Give Department of Health and Human Services notice if the decedent was 55 or older or resided in a medical institution. A notice that does not comply is void (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Obtain Letters after appointment. Nebraska uses letters testamentary for a will and letters of administration when there is no will; one certified copy is provided without charge under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125(2).
- Inventory and administer the estate. Collect assets, handle valid claims, keep estate funds separate, and prepare for any Dixon County Court hearing that the county judge sets. If you want a remote hearing for a nontestimonial matter, ask the bailiff or courtroom clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing under sixth county judge district Rule 6.7 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704.
- Handle Nebraska inheritance tax. The Dixon County Court determines inheritance tax and it is paid to the county; 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 whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
- Distribute and close. After claims, tax, and administration issues are resolved, distribute property to the people entitled to it and close the case with a closing statement when the Nebraska Probate Code permits that route (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Dixon County
Dixon County does not publish a local estate-opening packet for decedent estates. The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes a partial estate form set, but not a fill-in application for informal probate, petition for formal probate, Letters request, or inventory.
| Form or resource | How it is used in Dixon County |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate | Used for qualifying personal property after thirty days and within the $100,000 ceiling under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. It is presented to the person or institution holding the property, not filed with the county court. |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate | Used for qualifying Nebraska real property under the separate $100,000 ceiling in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. In Dixon County, it is recorded with the Dixon County Register of Deeds, not filed with the county court. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page when a person without a lawyer files by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Fax filings to the Dixon County Court go to 402-755-5651. |
| Informal probate flowchart | The Nebraska Judicial Branch estates page links a flowchart for informal probate filed with a will. It applies only to testate, uncontested informal cases and should not be used when there is no will, a will contest, or a dispute over the estate or distribution. |
Local nuance
Dixon County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The court mailing address is the working address for filings by mail | Use Dixon County Court, P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770. The courthouse address for travel is 302 Third Street, Ponca, NE 68770, and the court should be called at 402-755-5607 before you go. |
| The Register of Deeds is separate from the county court | A real-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 is recorded with the Dixon County Register of Deeds. That office lists PO Box 546, Ponca, NE 68770, phone 402-755-5602, fax 402-755-5650, and hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, open through lunch. |
| Sixth county judge district Rule 6.7 adds a 48-hour remote request practice | For a nontestimonial hearing, a video or telephone appearance is at the county judge's discretion. Request it from the bailiff or courtroom clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing, and log in 5 minutes early if the request is granted (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Dixon County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by checking the deed and account titles. Co-owned or beneficiary assets may not need Letters. Personal property may qualify for CC 15:40 after thirty days under the $100,000 ceiling in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. Real property uses a separate $100,000 ceiling under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024, and is recorded with the Dixon County Register of Deeds. | Sunset identifies accounts, flags beneficiary and co-owner information for review, and helps organize the estate settlement packet before you call the clerk or attorney. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If thirty days have passed and only personal property is involved within the $100,000 ceiling under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022, CC 15:40 is handed to the holder of the property. If Letters are needed, mail the filing to P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770, or fax it to 402-755-5651 with the cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). If a hearing is set, ask about video or telephone appearance at least 48 hours ahead under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704 and sixth county judge district Rule 6.7. | Sunset helps find accounts, prepare a document checklist, and connect the family with a Nebraska attorney if the affidavit route is not enough. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home must be sold through the estate, open the estate in the Dixon County Court. Because the clerk's office is held by a clerk magistrate, a matter authorizing sale or mortgage of real estate goes to a county judge rather than being decided by the clerk magistrate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507, § 24-519). Notice to creditors and the two-month claim bar follow Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483 and § 30-2485, and Dixon County Court determines inheritance tax due twelve months after death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004, § 77-2010). | Sunset assembles asset information, helps generate the probate packet, and connects the family to a vetted local attorney for the real-estate sale and tax steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Dixon County Court | P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770. Phone 402-755-5607. Fax 402-755-5651. Email [email protected] for questions, not filings. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Court page: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/dixon-county-court. |
| Dixon County Register of Deeds | PO Box 546, Ponca, NE 68770. Phone 402-755-5602. Fax 402-755-5650. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, open through lunch. This is where a real-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 is recorded. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help. Use it for Nebraska court self-help information, fax filing mechanics, the cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601, and the rule that court filings cannot be sent by email. |
| Judicial Branch estates section | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates/additional-information-estates. Includes the two affidavit routes, the testate informal-probate flowchart, and the statement that the law allows self-representation although filing an estate will most often require attorney help. |
| Affidavit forms CC 15:40 and CC 15:41 | CC 15:40 is for personal property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 and is presented to the holder of the property. CC 15:41 is for real property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 and is recorded with the register of deeds. |
| Statewide case search | https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. The JUSTICE system provides statewide trial court case information. As of August 2026, general searches have no charge, case-detail viewing costs $2, and frequent users can use a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. The same information is free at a courthouse kiosk or law library. |
| 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 depends on household income, assets, and legal issue; estate administration is not among its published practice areas. Start at legalaidofnebraska.org or by phone. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/. A free virtual clinic for qualifying users to ask a Nebraska-licensed volunteer attorney a civil legal question by email. Estates are not on the published topic list, and volunteers cannot represent anyone in court. |
When to hire an attorney
Nebraska does not require a personal representative to hire a lawyer, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch estates materials say the law allows self-representation. The same materials say that filing an estate will most often require attorney help and that the self-help materials cannot cover every situation. In Dixon County, counsel is especially useful when the family needs a custom application or petition, a real-estate sale, creditor disputes, inheritance tax work, or Limited Scope Representation through nebraskajudicial.gov for part of the case. Sunset connects families in Dixon County to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families identify accounts, balances, and possible beneficiary information before they file. That gives the personal representative a clearer estate settlement map.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the family's answers into an organized probate packet for review, including the information a Nebraska lawyer or the Dixon County Court will expect for an application, petition, inventory, and closing steps.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs court authority, a home sale, inheritance tax work, or a contested issue, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney who can advise on the Dixon County filing.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. If legal help is needed, the attorney relationship and any legal fees are handled directly with the attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Dixon County?
File with the clerk of the Dixon County Court in Ponca. The mailing address is Dixon County Court, P.O. Box 497, Ponca, NE 68770. Call 402-755-5607 before traveling to the courthouse at 302 Third Street.
Does Dixon County probate go to the district court?
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).
Do I need a lawyer for a Dixon County estate?
Nebraska law allows self-representation, but the Nebraska Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require attorney help. The Dixon County clerk can receive filings and keep the court record, but cannot advise you how to draft the application, petition, or notices.
How much does probate cost in Dixon County?
The base filing fee is set by Nebraska statute, not by Dixon County. A proceeding commenced and closed informally is $22, and formal probate uses a fee schedule based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, up to $1,500 over $5,000,000 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125; statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026). Confirm the amount with the clerk before filing.
Can I avoid probate with an affidavit in Dixon County?
Sometimes. For personal property, CC 15:40 may be used after thirty days under the $100,000 ceiling in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. It is presented to the holder of the property. For real property, CC 15:41 uses a separate $100,000 ceiling under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024, and is recorded with the Dixon County Register of Deeds.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax in a Dixon County estate?
Yes. Nebraska inheritance tax is a county tax: the Dixon County Court determines it and it is paid to the county, with the tax due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004, § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01). Rates and exemptions depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023.
Can I appear by phone or video for a Dixon County probate hearing?
Possibly, if the court permits it. Nebraska law allows telephone or videoconference hearings for nonevidentiary matters, and for evidentiary matters approved by the court with all appearing parties' stipulation (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Sixth county judge district Rule 6.7 says video or telephone appearance for a nontestimonial hearing is at the county judge's discretion and must be requested from the bailiff or courtroom clerk at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Can I file a Dixon County probate case by fax or email?
A person filing without a lawyer may file by fax to 402-755-5651 with the required cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept from non-attorneys until July 1, 2028. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska courts (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202).
How do I look up a Dixon County probate case?
Use the Nebraska.gov trial court search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi, which runs on the JUSTICE case management system. As of August 2026, a general search for a list of cases has no charge; viewing case details costs $2; frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. The same case information is free at a courthouse kiosk or law library.
What are the Dixon County Court clerk's hours?
The Dixon County Court lists hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Because no separate local intake practice is published, call 402-755-5607 before you travel or before you send a time-sensitive fax filing.
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.