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Logan County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Logan County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Logan County Court |
| Courthouse address | Logan County Courthouse, 317 Main Street, Stapleton, NE 69163 |
| Mailing address | Logan County Court, P.O. Box 8, Stapleton, NE 69163 |
| Phone | 308-636-2677 |
| Fax | 308-636-2678 |
| [email protected] for questions only. Email is not a filing method for Nebraska court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). | |
| Hours | Courthouse hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Court sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am. Call 308-636-2677 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 Logan County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | No Logan County specific probate form, cover sheet, or fee sheet is posted locally. Use the Nebraska Judicial Branch forms and the uniform fax cover sheet where they apply. |
| E-filing | A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). A person filing without a lawyer files in person, by mail, or by fax with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which Nebraska courts must accept from non-attorneys until July 1, 2028. Ask the clerk whether Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 non-attorney registration is available before relying on it. |
| Case search | Statewide trial court case search is through Nebraska.gov on the Judicial Branch's JUSTICE system: https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases has no charge; viewing case 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 has no charge at any courthouse kiosk or law library. |
| Remote appearance | Nebraska law allows the county court to hear all nonevidentiary hearings, and evidentiary hearings the court approves with all appearing parties' stipulation, by telephone or videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Logan County is in the eleventh county judge district, whose remote hearing rules require the moving party to coordinate with the court at least 5 days in advance except for emergencies. |
| County judge district | Eleventh county judge district (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503) |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/logan-county-court and https://logancounty.ne.gov/county-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Logan County, list the assets, debts, account titles, beneficiary designations, vehicle titles, and any real estate. Nebraska estate settlement turns on what must actually transfer, whether a personal representative needs Letters, and whether a no-court affidavit can do the job for a limited asset.
Sunset starts estate settlement by helping families look for accounts and assets across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizes what was found into the probate packet or attorney handoff. In Logan County, that preparation matters because court sessions are monthly and a preventable missing document can push the case to the next setting.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Logan County is filed with the clerk of the Logan County Court at the Logan County Courthouse in Stapleton, with mail sent to Logan County Court, P.O. Box 8, Stapleton, NE 69163. 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).
Logan County sits in Nebraska's eleventh county judge district, which is how county judges and county court local rules are assigned; the case itself is filed for Logan County in Stapleton (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). 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 had property (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the matter is an informal probate application to the registrar or a formal probate petition to the court after 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 county court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216).
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses of interested persons, asset information, debts, and any documents needed for estate settlement. Informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- File with the clerk of the Logan County Court at 317 Main Street in Stapleton, mail the filing to P.O. Box 8, Stapleton, NE 69163, or, if filing without a lawyer, fax it to 308-636-2678 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). Email is not a filing method (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
- Pay the current filing fee. The statutory base is $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with formal probate charged by the gross value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125.
- Ask about scheduling early. Logan County Court sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am, and the Eleventh Judicial District remote hearing rules require a remote hearing to be coordinated with the court at least 5 days in advance except for emergencies (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704).
- After appointment, 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 it as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483). Claims are barred unless presented within two months after the first publication when notice is given as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485).
- Give any required notice to the Department of Health and Human Services if the decedent was fifty-five or older or resided in a medical institution, because that notice is part of the creditor notice statute (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Once appointed, use the Letters issued by the county court to collect assets, deal with institutions, prepare the inventory, and administer the estate. One certified copy of letters of appointment is provided without charge in a formal probate fee case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125).
- Address Nebraska inheritance tax before distribution. The Logan County Court determines the county inheritance tax, and it 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 the remaining property and close the estate by the Nebraska Probate Code procedure that fits the case, including a closing statement when that route applies (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Logan County
Logan County does not post a local probate packet, local cover sheet, or local fee sheet for opening an estate. Nebraska also does not publish a statewide application for informal probate or petition for formal probate; the Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center explains that estates vary and it cannot supply forms for every situation.
| Form or resource | Use |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, revised July 2022 | Presented to the person or institution holding qualifying personal property. 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. It is not filed with the Logan County Court. |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, revised October 2025 | Recorded with the Logan County Register of Deeds at the courthouse when the separate real property affidavit rules apply. The real property ceiling is $100,000 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page when a non-attorney files by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which remains available to non-attorneys until July 1, 2028. |
| Flowchart for Informal Probate Filed with a Will | A Nebraska Judicial Branch flowchart on nebraskajudicial.gov for an uncontested testate informal probate. It does not cover cases with no will, a contested will, or contested distribution. |
Timeline
- Call the Logan County Court at 308-636-2677 before traveling, because court sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am.
- If you want a remote hearing, raise it early. Under the Eleventh Judicial District remote hearing rules and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704, the moving party must coordinate the remote hearing with the court at least 5 days in advance except for emergencies.
- For a self-represented fax filing, send the documents to 308-636-2678 with the uniform cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Attorneys must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202.
Local nuance
Logan County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shared clerk magistrate | The clerk of the Logan County Court also serves the Hooker, Thomas, and McPherson County Courts. That is allowed when a clerk magistrate is appointed for more than one county (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507). File Logan County estate papers for Logan County, not for another county. |
| Monthly court sessions | Logan County Court sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am. Build extra lead time into any estate settlement task that may need a hearing or order. |
| Register of deeds has a separate phone | The Logan County Register of Deeds is the office for recording a CC 15:41 real property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. It is in the same courthouse, but its phone is 308-636-2311, separate from the Logan County Court phone. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Logan County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with the deed and account titles. If personal property still needs transfer after 30 days and the statutory conditions fit, CC 15:40 may be presented to the holder under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. If a limited real property interest must transfer by affidavit, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Logan County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. If Letters are needed, file with the Logan County Court in Stapleton. | Sunset helps identify accounts, deeds, debts, and beneficiary designations so the spouse knows whether court authority is actually needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | The personal property affidavit path may avoid a trip to Stapleton when the Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 requirements fit. If Letters are needed, mail the filing to P.O. Box 8, Stapleton, NE 69163, or, if filing without a lawyer, fax to 308-636-2678 with the Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B) cover sheet. Ask early about a remote hearing because Logan County sessions are monthly and remote hearing coordination is generally needed at least 5 days ahead (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). | Sunset organizes the asset list, prepares the family for a court or affidavit route, and can help find local counsel if the child cannot manage the filing from out of state. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually points toward opening an estate rather than relying on an affidavit. A clerk magistrate may handle some noncontested estate matters, but not the determination of title to real estate or authorization to sell or mortgage real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519). Plan for county judge involvement, creditor notice under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483 and § 30-2485, and Logan County inheritance tax timing under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010 and § 77-2004. | Sunset helps locate debts, mortgages, accounts, and sale-related documents, then connects the family with a vetted probate attorney when a court order is needed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Logan County Court page, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/logan-county-court | Local court contact information, mailing address, phone, fax, hours, and monthly court session time. |
| Logan County government court page, https://logancounty.ne.gov/county-court/ | Local courthouse address, hours, phone, fax, and case categories handled by the county court. |
| Logan County Register of Deeds, https://logancounty.ne.gov/register-of-deeds/ | Local office for recording a real property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help | Statewide self-help information, including the Nebraska rules for fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B) and the rule that email is not a filing method. |
| Estates self-help, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates | Nebraska Judicial Branch estate information, the informal probate flowchart on nebraskajudicial.gov, and links to the affidavit forms. |
| Nebraska Judicial Branch forms, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/forms | Statewide forms including CC 15:40 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 and CC 15:41 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| Case search, https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi | Nebraska.gov access to JUSTICE case information. General case lists have no charge; viewing details is $2, and a frequent-user account is an annual $100. |
| Limited Scope Representation, https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help | Information about hiring a lawyer for part of a case rather than the full estate settlement. |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska, https://legalaidofnebraska.org/how-we-help/ | Statewide AccessLine 1.877.250.2016 and ElderAccessLine 1.800.527.7249 for people 60 and over. Screening depends on income, assets, and legal issue; published practice areas focus on family, debt, housing, and benefits rather than estate administration, and intake is by phone or online. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers, https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/ | Free Legal Answers lets qualifying users submit civil legal questions to Nebraska licensed volunteer lawyers. Its posted topic list does not include estates, and volunteers do not represent users in court. |
When to hire an attorney
Nebraska does not require a personal representative to hire a lawyer, and the Judicial Branch's estates materials say the law allows self-representation. The same materials say filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help, and in Logan County there is no local opening packet and court sessions are monthly. Limited Scope Representation through nebraskajudicial.gov can be a middle option for a specific task, and Sunset connects families to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset helps families search across more than 2,300 financial institutions so they can identify accounts, debts, and property before choosing a Logan County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the information families gather into an organized probate packet for the Logan County Court, a lawyer, or the institutions that need proof of authority.
Find a local probate attorney
When a home must be sold, a formal probate petition is needed, inheritance tax questions are difficult, or the family is out of state, Sunset helps connect the family with a vetted probate attorney for Logan County.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset is free for families because partners pay Sunset when families choose optional services. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement work ahead without paying to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Logan County?
File Logan County probate matters with the clerk of the Logan County Court in Stapleton. The courthouse address is 317 Main Street, Stapleton, NE 69163, and the mailing address is Logan County Court, P.O. Box 8, Stapleton, NE 69163. Nebraska district courts do not hear probate; a will is proved and letters are issued in the county court, which has exclusive original jurisdiction over decedents' estates (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517).
Do I need a lawyer for a Logan County estate?
Nebraska law allows a person to represent themselves, but the Judicial Branch's estate materials say filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. In Logan County, a lawyer is especially useful when there is no will, a dispute, a home sale, inheritance tax questions, or a missing opening form.
How much does probate cost in Logan County?
The filing fee is set by state statute, not by Logan County. A proceeding commenced and closed informally is $22, with another $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding; formal probate follows a gross value schedule from $22 to $1,500 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125). Call the clerk for the current total collected at the counter before filing.
Can I use an affidavit instead of opening a Logan County case?
Sometimes. CC 15:40 covers certain personal property after 30 days when the $100,000 ceiling and other requirements are met under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125; that route has used the $100,000 ceiling since 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. CC 15:41 covers certain real property interests and is recorded with the Logan County Register of Deeds, not the court, under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129; that real property ceiling has been $100,000 since 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax, and who determines it in Logan County?
Yes. Nebraska has an inheritance tax, and it is determined by the Logan County Court and 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 on whether the death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
How do I ask to attend a Logan County hearing by phone or video?
Nebraska law allows telephone or videoconference hearings for all nonevidentiary matters and for evidentiary matters the court approves with all appearing parties' stipulation (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Logan County is in the Eleventh Judicial District, whose remote hearing rules generally require coordination with the court at least 5 days ahead, except for emergencies. Ask the clerk how the request should be made for your setting.
Can I file by fax or email in Logan County?
A person filing without a lawyer may use fax filing to 308-636-2678 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), and Nebraska courts must accept that non-attorney fax route until July 1, 2028. A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. Email is not a filing method for Nebraska court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
How do I look up a Logan County probate case?
Use the statewide Nebraska.gov JUSTICE case search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases has no charge; viewing case details is $2, and frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. The same case information has no charge at any courthouse kiosk or law library.
What are the Logan County Court hours?
The courthouse hours are listed as 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and court sessions are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am. Call 308-636-2677 before traveling, especially if you need to file in person or ask about a hearing date.
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.