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Keya Paha County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Keya Paha County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Keya Paha County Court |
| Courthouse address | Keya Paha Courthouse, 310 Courthouse Dr., Springview, NE 68778 |
| Mailing address | Keya Paha County Court, P.O. Box 349, Springview, NE 68778 |
| Phone | 402-497-3021 |
| Fax | 402-497-3799 |
| [email protected] for questions only. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). | |
| Hours | The county court office is listed as open every 2nd Friday of each month. The time of day is not listed, so call before travelling. The courthouse building lists general public hours of 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. |
| Filing fee | $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with another $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding. A formal probate is charged on a schedule tied 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 court fee schedule effective July 1, 2026). Confirm the current counter total with the clerk of the Keya Paha County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | Keya Paha County does not add a local decedent-estate packet on top of the Nebraska Judicial Branch forms. The statewide estates forms and the uniform fax cover sheet are discussed below (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 filing with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), unless the clerk confirms another approved option. Email filings are not allowed (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). |
| 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 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. Amounts are stated by Nebraska.gov as of August 2026. The same case information is available at no 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). Keya Paha County is in the 8th county judge district, whose Rule 8-2 requires court approval and advance motion practice for a remote hearing. |
| County judge district | 8th county judge district, used for county judge assignments and local county court rules (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/keya-paha-county-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Keya Paha County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, beneficiaries, real estate, and any will. That list drives whether you are asking for informal probate through the registrar or formal probate with notice, and it also affects the Nebraska inheritance tax work.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then uses what is found to help assemble a local probate packet or connect the family with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Keya Paha County is filed with the clerk of the Keya Paha County Court in Springview. The Keya Paha County Court serves estates venued in Keya Paha County, including Springview and the rest of the 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).
Keya Paha County sits in Nebraska's 8th county judge district. A county judge district is how county judges and county court local rules are assigned; the estate filing itself remains with this county's own county court (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, if the decedent was not domiciled in Nebraska, in any Nebraska county where the decedent's property was located (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the opening path. Informal probate uses an application to the registrar, whose acts are performed by a county judge or by a person designated by written order, and the application is delivered to the clerk of the county court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216). Formal probate uses a petition to the court with notice.
- Gather the certified death certificate, the original will if there is one, addresses for interested persons, a list of assets and liabilities, and enough information to evaluate Nebraska inheritance tax obligations.
- File with the Keya Paha County Court by mail, in person, or, for a person without a lawyer, by fax filing with the uniform cover sheet and prepayment of statutory fees (Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601). A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202), and email filings are not allowed (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
- Pay the Nebraska county court probate filing fee. The base fee is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, and formal probate is charged under the gross-value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125, with the statewide court fee schedule effective July 1, 2026.
- For informal probate, wait for the statutory timing. The registrar issues the written statement of informal probate only if at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- After appointment of a personal representative, the clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with first publication within thirty days after appointment. Claims covered by that notice are barred unless presented within two months after the date of first publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485).
- Give any required Department of Health and Human Services notice if the decedent was 55 or older or resided in a medical institution, because that notice is part of Nebraska's creditor-notice statute (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Obtain Letters. Nebraska uses letters testamentary for a will and letters of administration when there is no will; the court provides one certified copy of letters of appointment without charge in a formal probate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125).
- Administer the estate: collect assets, safeguard property, address claims, prepare the inventory, and keep records for beneficiaries and the court.
- Handle Nebraska inheritance tax. The Keya Paha County Court determines the tax 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 on whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
- Distribute the remaining property, complete the estate settlement work, and close the estate with the appropriate closing statement when the estate is ready to close (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Keya Paha County
Keya Paha County does not add a local decedent-estate packet for county court probate filings. Use the Nebraska Judicial Branch estates forms that fit the situation, and contact the clerk before filing if you are unsure what the court requires for your specific case.
| Form or resource | Use |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, revised July 2022 | Used for the personal-property affidavit route after 30 days when the statutory conditions are met, including the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, revised October 2025 | Used for the real-property affidavit route recorded with the register of deeds when the statutory conditions are met, including the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129; Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page for fax filing by a person without a lawyer under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept until July 1, 2028. |
| Flowchart for Informal Probate Filed with a Will (Testate) | A Nebraska Judicial Branch flowchart at nebraskajudicial.gov for uncontested informal probate with a will. It does not cover cases with no will, a contested will, or contested estate distribution. |
The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides a partial estates form set, but it does not provide a statewide template for the application or petition that starts a decedent's estate. The clerk can accept filings and answer procedural questions, but the clerk cannot draft the papers or give legal advice.
Local nuance
Keya Paha County-specific considerations
Keya Paha County Court hours are limited. The county court office is listed for every 2nd Friday of each month, and the time of day is not listed. Call 402-497-3021 before travelling to Springview, especially if you need to file original papers, get certified copies, or ask about a hearing.
The clerk's office is shared with Brown County, but a Keya Paha County estate is not filed as a Brown County case. A clerk magistrate may serve more than one county and be the clerk of the county court for each county (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507), so use the Keya Paha County Court mailing address and case caption for Keya Paha filings.
The courthouse building address used here is 310 Courthouse Dr., Springview, NE 68778. If you are using an older address from another document, call the clerk before sending original documents or driving to the courthouse.
Recent updates
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Keya Paha County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home was titled and what assets remain in the decedent's name. If county court authority is needed, file in the Keya Paha County Court; if a real-property affidavit is appropriate, the Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate is recorded with the register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, and the personal-property affidavit statute is Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. | Sunset helps locate accounts, organize title and debt information, and prepare the estate settlement plan before papers are filed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the estate is limited to qualifying personal property, the claiming successor may use CC 15:40 after 30 days and within the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022, rather than opening a county court estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). If a Keya Paha County case is needed, filings can be mailed, and a person without a lawyer may use fax filing with the cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601. | Sunset identifies whether accounts exist, helps prepare institution-ready transfer documents, and connects the family to a Nebraska attorney if court authority is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale of real estate usually requires careful court authority and tax review. Nebraska law allows a clerk magistrate to handle some uncontested estate matters, but not the determination of title to real estate or authorization to sell or mortgage real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519). Expect a county judge to be involved if the court must authorize the sale. | Sunset gathers financial records, helps create the probate packet, and connects the parent with a vetted attorney for the real-estate and inheritance-tax pieces of estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center, nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help | Virtual court self-help information, including the Nebraska rules for fax filing and the rule that email filings are not allowed. |
| Estates section, nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates | Information on estate court processes, claims against estates, depositing a will, the testate informal-probate flowchart, affidavits, and motor vehicle title transfer. |
| Additional Information: Estates | Explains that Nebraska law allows self-representation, while also saying that filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help and that the Self-Help Center cannot supply forms for every situation. |
| Nebraska Judicial Branch forms, nebraskajudicial.gov/forms | Lists CC 15:40, CC 15:41, and other estates-related forms. CC 15:40 is tied to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, and CC 15:41 is tied to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| 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 income, assets, and legal issue; its public practice areas are family, debt, housing, and benefits rather than estate administration, and intake is by phone or online. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers, ne.freelegalanswers.org | A free virtual civil legal advice clinic for qualifying users. Its volunteers answer questions online and cannot represent anyone in court; its public topic list does not include estates. |
| Limited Scope Representation, nebraskajudicial.gov | Information about hiring a lawyer for part of a case, which can fit a Keya Paha County estate settlement when the family can handle some tasks but needs legal drafting or hearing help. |
When to hire an attorney
Nebraska does not require a personal representative to hire a lawyer, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch's self-help materials say the law allows you to represent yourself. The same materials say that filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help, and that the Self-Help Center cannot supply forms for every situation. Counsel is especially useful when the will is contested, real estate must be sold, inheritance tax questions are significant, or family members disagree. Sunset connects families in Keya Paha County to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across financial institutions and helps families build the asset list that drives estate settlement, probate filing decisions, and tax planning.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset list, family information, and court requirements into an organized packet for the Keya Paha County Court or for attorney review.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal judgment, Sunset connects the family with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney who can advise on the filing path, real estate, notices, and inheritance tax.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the next steps, organize estate settlement tasks, and decide whether to proceed with court filing, an affidavit route, or attorney help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Keya Paha County?
File with the Keya Paha County Court. The mailing address is Keya Paha County Court, P.O. Box 349, Springview, NE 68778, and the courthouse address is Keya Paha Courthouse, 310 Courthouse Dr., Springview, NE 68778. 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 Keya Paha County Court hours?
The county court office is listed for every 2nd Friday of each month, with no time of day listed. Call 402-497-3021 before travelling. The courthouse building lists general public hours of 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Keya Paha County?
Nebraska law allows self-representation, and the Judicial Branch says so in its estates self-help materials. Those same materials also say filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help because estates differ in property, debt, family structure, and tax issues.
How much does Keya Paha County probate cost to file?
The Nebraska county court fee is statewide. It is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with another $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding. Formal probate uses the gross-value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125, up to $1,500 over $5,000,000, with the statewide court fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. Call the clerk to confirm the current counter total before filing.
May a small estate in Keya Paha County use an affidavit instead of opening probate?
Sometimes. Nebraska has an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, CC 15:40, for qualifying personal property after 30 days and within the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). Nebraska also has a real-property affidavit, CC 15:41, recorded with the register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, and the personal-property affidavit statute is Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax, and who is paid?
Yes. Nebraska is one of the few states with an inheritance tax, and it is a county tax: the Keya Paha 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 on whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
How do I request a phone or video hearing in Keya Paha County?
Nebraska law allows nonevidentiary county court hearings, and some approved evidentiary hearings, to be heard telephonically or by videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Keya Paha County is in the 8th county judge district. District 8 Rule 8-2 says remote hearings are subject to court approval and sets advance motion requirements, including at least 5 days for a non-evidentiary remote hearing request and at least 3 days to appear remotely at a hearing not already set that way.
May I use fax or email for a Keya Paha County probate filing?
A person 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. A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). Filing by email is not allowed in Nebraska court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
How do I look up a Keya Paha County probate case?
Use Nebraska.gov's statewide trial court case search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi, which runs on the Judicial Branch's JUSTICE case management system. A general search for a list of cases is free; viewing case details is $2, with no extra charge for document images, and frequent users can open an annual $100 Nebraska.gov subscriber account. Amounts are stated by Nebraska.gov as of August 2026. The same case information is available at no charge at courthouse kiosks and law libraries.
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.