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Grant County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Grant County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Grant County Court |
| Courthouse address | 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350 |
| Phone | 308-458-2433 |
| Fax | 308-458-2262. A person filing without a lawyer may use fax filing with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept until July 1, 2028. |
| [email protected], for questions, not court filings. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska court cases under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212. | |
| Hours | County court hours are 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The courthouse building has broader weekday hours for other county offices, so call 308-458-2433 before traveling or before a deadline. |
| Filing fee | As of the Judiciary statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, $22 is the base fee 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 counter total with the clerk of the Grant County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | No Grant County opening packet or local probate cover sheet is listed for this county. Use the Nebraska Judicial Branch forms and the uniform fax cover sheet where applicable. |
| 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). Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 provides for optional non-attorney registration only if the rule's conditions are met and approval is in place, so confirm 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 at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases is free; 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 free 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 way that preserves an accurate record (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Grant County is in Nebraska's twelfth county judge district, whose county court local rules add a technology procedure for remote hearing requests. |
| County judge district | Twelfth county judge district. A county judge district assigns county judges and local county court rules; it does not move the filing counter (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/grant-county-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a probate path in Grant County, make a complete list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, beneficiary designations, and co-owned property. That list decides whether the family needs letters testamentary or letters of administration from the Grant County Court, whether an affidavit route is enough, and what has to be included in the estate settlement plan.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts and assets before they file. That matters in Grant County because the court keeps a limited monthly schedule, so a cleaner packet can reduce avoidable trips, resubmissions, and delays in estate settlement.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Grant County is filed with the clerk of the Grant County Court at the Grant County Courthouse, 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350, or by mail to P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350. Hyannis is the county seat, and the court serves Hyannis and the surrounding communities of Grant County.
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 the county where the decedent had domicile at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Nebraska, any county where the decedent's property was located (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
Grant County sits in Nebraska's twelfth county judge district. The district groups Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux counties for county judge assignment and county court local rules, but a Grant County estate is still filed at the Grant County Court in Hyannis (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-502, § 24-503).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the track. For informal probate, prepare an application directed to the registrar; 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 Grant County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216). For formal probate, prepare a petition to the court with notice to interested persons.
- Gather the certified death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses of interested persons, a preliminary asset list, and known debts. If the estate may qualify for an affidavit route, check the Nebraska Judicial Branch forms before opening a court case.
- File with the clerk of the Grant County Court at 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350, by mail to P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350, or by fax to 308-458-2262 with the uniform cover sheet if you are filing without a lawyer (Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B)). A Nebraska attorney must file electronically (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). Email is not a filing method under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212.
- Plan around the local schedule. The Grant County Court's listed office hours are 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month, so call 308-458-2433 before traveling, mailing close to a deadline, or relying on same-day counter service.
- Pay the filing fee. As of the Judiciary statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, the statutory base is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, and formal probate uses the gross-value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125. Confirm the current counter total before sending payment.
- Wait for authority to issue. Informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415). In formal probate, an unopposed testacy petition may be decided on the pleadings or set for hearing, with notice, depending on the court's handling of the matter (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2429).
- Handle notice after appointment. The clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with first publication within thirty days after appointment; claims are barred two months after the first publication if the notice requirements are met (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485). Give 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).
- Receive and use Letters. When the court appoints the personal representative, letters testamentary or letters of administration give authority to collect assets, deal with institutions, and administer the estate. One certified copy is provided without charge under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125(2).
- Administer the estate. Prepare the inventory, address creditor claims, keep records, and have the Nebraska inheritance tax determined. Inheritance tax is due twelve months after the date of death, and the Grant County Court determines the tax as a county tax (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004).
- Close the estate. After administration, distribution, and tax work are complete, close with the appropriate court filing, including a closing statement when that route applies (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Grant County
Nebraska has a partial statewide estates form set, but Grant County does not list a local probate packet or local opening cover sheet. The Judicial Branch forms most likely to matter before a full court case are CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, tied to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, and CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, tied to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129.
CC 15:40 is for qualifying personal property and is presented to the person or institution holding the property, not to the county court. The personal property ceiling is $100,000 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022.
CC 15:41 is for qualifying Nebraska real property and is recorded with the register of deeds in the county where the land is located, not filed as a probate opening with the court. The real-property ceiling is separate and is measured under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129; it was raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024.
The Nebraska Judicial Branch does not supply a universal application for informal probate or a universal petition for formal probate. The estates section links a flowchart for informal probate filed with a will, but that flowchart is for testate, uncontested informal matters and does not cover every estate situation. If you fax a court filing without a lawyer, use the uniform fax cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B).
Timeline
- Before filing, check the court schedule. The Grant County Court lists office hours of 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month, so mail and fax may be the practical options between court sessions.
- After death, informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- After appointment, the clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with first publication within thirty days after appointment (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- If proper notice is given, creditor claims are barred two months after the first publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485).
- Inheritance tax is due twelve months after the date of death, and the Grant County Court determines it as a county tax (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004).
Local nuance
Grant County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Monthly county court hours | The Grant County Court lists hours of 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Call 308-458-2433 before traveling, especially if a deadline is close. |
| Courthouse hours are not the same as county court hours | The courthouse building at 105 East Harrison Street houses other county offices on a broader weekday schedule. That does not mean the county court counter is open on those days. |
| Shared clerk magistrate | The clerk magistrate serving Grant County Court also serves Sheridan County Court, but each county has its own courthouse, phone, fax, and case filing location. A Grant County estate is filed in Hyannis (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507). |
| Register of deeds is in the same building | The Grant County Register of Deeds is at 105 East Harrison Street and is the office where a qualifying real-property affidavit is recorded under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. That recording office is separate from opening probate in the county court. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Grant County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by checking the deed and account titles. If only personal property needs transfer and the statutory conditions are met, CC 15:40 may be presented to the holder under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. If a qualifying real-property affidavit is enough, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Grant County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. Otherwise, open the estate with the Grant County Court in Hyannis. | Sunset helps identify accounts, deeds, and beneficiary designations before the family chooses an affidavit route or a court filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If thirty days or more have passed and personal property is within the $100,000 ceiling, the affidavit route under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 may avoid a court trip because the form is presented to the holder. If Letters are needed, file by mail to P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350, or by fax to 308-458-2262 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). | Sunset helps build the asset list, generate a probate packet when court authority is needed, and coordinate a local attorney if the family is not in Nebraska. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires opening the estate in the Grant County Court. A clerk magistrate may handle some noncontested estate and inheritance tax matters, but authorization to sell or mortgage real estate goes to a county judge (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519). Plan for notice to creditors and the two-month claim bar after publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485). | Sunset helps organize debts, assets, documents, and attorney handoff so the sale and estate settlement are not delayed by missing information. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Grant County Court | 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350. Mail: P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350. Phone 308-458-2433. Fax 308-458-2262. Email [email protected], for questions, not filings. Hours are 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. |
| Grant County Register of Deeds | 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350. Phone 308-458-2488. This is the office for recording a qualifying Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help. Includes self-help information, fax filing mechanics, and the rule that email filings are not allowed in Nebraska court cases. |
| Estates section and additional estates information | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates/additional-information-estates. Includes estates information, the affidavit routes, and the statement that the law allows self-representation even though filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. |
| Nebraska forms list | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/forms. Look for CC 15:40 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, CC 15:41 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, and the uniform fax cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| Statewide case search | https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. The Nebraska.gov JUSTICE search lists trial court case information. General searches are free, case details cost $2 as listed by Nebraska.gov in August 2026, and frequent users can use an annual $100 Nebraska.gov subscriber account. Case information is free at a courthouse kiosk or law library. |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Statewide AccessLine 1.877.250.2016 through legalaidofnebraska.org, 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 the listed practice areas, and the organization takes no walk-ins. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/. A free virtual clinic for civil legal questions answered by Nebraska-licensed volunteer attorneys by email. Estates are not on its listed topic menu, and volunteers do not represent people in court. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 institutions and helps build a clearer inventory before the family decides whether Grant County probate is needed.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the family's information to organize the documents needed for estate settlement, including the local filing address, mail route, fax route, and Nebraska county court requirements.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Grant County estate needs legal judgment, a real estate sale, formal probate, or inheritance tax guidance, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand assets, organize next steps, and decide whether to proceed with an affidavit, a county court filing, or attorney help for estate settlement.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Grant County, Nebraska?
File with the clerk of the Grant County Court at 105 East Harrison Street, Hyannis, NE 69350, or mail the filing to P.O. Box 97, Hyannis, NE 69350. Nebraska district courts do not hear probate; the county court has exclusive original jurisdiction over decedents' estates (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517).
What are the Grant County Court hours?
The Grant County Court lists hours of 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. Because other offices in the courthouse keep broader weekday hours, call the county court at 308-458-2433 before traveling or before sending a time-sensitive filing.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Grant County?
Nebraska law allows self-representation, but the Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. A lawyer is especially useful if formal probate with notice is needed, if real estate must be sold, if creditor claims are disputed, or if inheritance tax issues are unclear.
How much does probate cost in Grant County?
As of the Judiciary statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, the base statutory filing fee is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with another $22 for later petitions or applications in that informal proceeding. Formal probate uses the gross-value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125, up to $1,500 for estates over $5,000,000. Confirm the current counter total with the clerk before filing.
Can I use an affidavit instead of opening probate?
Sometimes. For qualifying personal property, CC 15:40 may be presented to the holder after the statutory conditions are met, including the $100,000 ceiling under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. For qualifying Nebraska real property, CC 15:41 is recorded with the register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, with the real-property amount raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax in Grant County probate?
Yes. Nebraska inheritance tax is a county tax: the Grant 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. § 77-2010, § 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).
Can I use fax or the clerk's email in Grant County?
A person filing without a lawyer may file by fax to 308-458-2262 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which applies until July 1, 2028. Email is for questions only and is not a filing method in Nebraska court cases under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212. A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202.
Can I attend a Grant County probate hearing by phone or video?
Nebraska law allows all nonevidentiary hearings, and evidentiary hearings approved by the court with all appearing parties' stipulation, to be heard by telephone or videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Grant County is in the twelfth county judge district, whose local rules add a technology procedure for remote hearing requests. Ask the clerk how the judge wants the request handled.
How do I look up a Grant County probate case?
Use the Nebraska.gov JUSTICE trial court search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. General searches are free; Nebraska.gov lists a $2 charge to view case details, with no extra charge for document images, and an annual $100 subscriber account for frequent users. The same case information is free at a courthouse kiosk or law library.
Do I have to travel to Hyannis to open the estate?
Not always. A person filing without a lawyer may use mail or fax with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), and affidavit transfers may be handled with the holder of personal property or the register of deeds rather than a court counter when the statutes apply (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, § 30-24,129). Call the Grant County Court before assuming an in-person trip is necessary.
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.