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Pierce County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Pierce County Court |
| Courthouse address | 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767 |
| Mailing address | Pierce County Court, 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767 |
| Phone | 402-329-6245 |
| Fax | 402-329-4412. 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 filings. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska courts (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). | |
| Hours | The Nebraska Judicial Branch listing gives 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Pierce County's page gives 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, open through lunch and closed weekends and holidays. Call 402-329-6245 before an early-morning visit. |
| Filing fee | Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 and the statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, the statutory base is $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 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. Confirm the current counter total with the clerk of the Pierce County Court before you file. |
| Local forms | No Pierce-only probate packet or local cover sheet is published. Use the statewide CC 15:40 and CC 15:41 affidavits when they fit, plus the uniform fax cover sheet for fax filing. |
| E-filing | A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. A person without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Ask the clerk whether any non-attorney registration under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 is open 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, as listed in August 2026, with no extra charge for document images, and frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100, as listed in August 2026. 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 manner that preserves an accurate record (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Pierce County sits in Nebraska's seventh county judge district under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503, and District 7's remote hearing rule requires prior authorization from the presiding county judge. |
| County judge district | Seventh county judge district. A county judge district assigns county judges and local rules; it does not move a Pierce County estate filing out of Pierce (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | Judicial Branch page: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/pierce-county-court. County page: https://piercecountyne.gov/county-court/. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before filing in Pierce County, make a first inventory of what the person owned, how each asset was titled, what debts may exist, and whether there is an original will. That first pass determines whether estate settlement can use an affidavit, an informal probate application, or a formal probate petition.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can help you look for accounts across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organize liabilities, and prepare the information a Pierce County filing or attorney review will need.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Pierce County is filed with the clerk of the Pierce County Court at 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767. Pierce is the county seat. The county includes the cities of Osmond and Plainview and the villages of Foster, Hadar, and McLean.
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). Pierce County sits in Nebraska's seventh county judge district, which is how county judges and county court local rules are assigned; the case itself is filed at Pierce 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, if the decedent was not domiciled in Nebraska, in any county where the decedent's property was located at death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the opening route. An application for informal probate goes to the registrar, whose 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 Pierce County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216). A petition for formal probate asks the court for an order after notice.
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses of interested persons, known assets and liabilities, and the information needed for estate settlement decisions.
- File with the clerk of the Pierce County Court at 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767. A Nebraska attorney must file electronically under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. A person without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax to 402-329-4412 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Email filings are not allowed (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
- Pay the filing fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125. Under the statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, the statutory base is $22 for a proceeding commenced and closed informally, and formal probate fees run by gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, up to $1,500 for estates over $5,000,000.
- For informal probate, wait for the statutory timing rule. The registrar may issue the written statement of informal probate only if at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- Follow the court's hearing instructions if the matter is set. District 7's remote hearing rule requires prior authorization from the presiding county judge, and Nebraska law allows telephone or videoconference hearings within the limits of 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 mailing as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483). Claims are generally barred unless presented within two months after the date of first publication when notice is properly given (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485).
- Give any required Department of Health and Human Services notice if the decedent was fifty-five or older or resided in a medical institution (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Obtain letters testamentary or letters of administration. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125, the court provides one certified copy of letters of appointment without charge.
- Administer the estate, inventory assets, address creditor claims, determine the Nebraska inheritance tax, and pay any county inheritance tax due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004).
- Distribute remaining property and close the estate with the filing that fits the case, including a closing statement when permitted (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Pierce County
Nebraska publishes a partial estate form set, but not a complete opening packet. The Judicial Branch does not publish an application form for informal probate, a petition form for formal probate, a Letters form, or an inventory form for a decedent's estate. Pierce County does not publish a local probate packet or local cover sheet.
| Form or resource | Use in Pierce County |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate | For the personal-property affidavit route under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. The $100,000 ceiling was raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. The affidavit 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 | For the real-property affidavit route under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. The $100,000 ceiling was raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. In Pierce County, this affidavit is recorded with the Pierce County Register of Deeds in Room 1, not filed with the county court. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page when a person without a lawyer uses fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which remains available until July 1, 2028. Pierce County Court fax: 402-329-4412. |
| Flowchart for Informal Probate Filed with a Will (Testate) | A Nebraska Judicial Branch flowchart on nebraskajudicial.gov for an uncontested will case. It does not cover a no-will estate, a will contest, or a contested distribution. |
Local nuance
Pierce County-specific considerations
| Local point | What to do |
|---|---|
| Shared clerk magistrate | One clerk magistrate serves both the Pierce County Court and the Antelope County Court under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507. Pierce County keeps its own courthouse, address, phone, fax, and hours, so a Pierce County estate filing stays with the Pierce County Court in Pierce. |
| Published opening time differs | The Judicial Branch listing gives 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Pierce County's page gives 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, open through lunch and closed weekends and holidays. Call 402-329-6245 before going early in the day. |
| Register of deeds is in the same courthouse | The Pierce County Register of Deeds is at 111 West Court Street, Room 1, Pierce, NE 68767, phone 402-329-4225. That is the office for recording the Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| Remote hearing rule | District 7's remote hearing rule requires prior authorization from the presiding county judge. It pre-approves certain procedural hearings for remote handling and requires stipulation plus case-by-case court permission for evidentiary hearings and trials, within Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. |
Recent updates
| Update | What changed |
|---|---|
| District 7 remote hearing rule | The Rules for Remote Hearings of the Seventh Judicial District, which includes Pierce County, were approved November 23, 2022. The rule requires prior authorization from the presiding county judge, and remote hearing practice remains subject to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Pierce County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by checking how the deed and accounts are titled. If only personal property needs transfer and the Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate fits, CC 15:40 may be presented under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 after the required conditions are met. If Nebraska real property must transfer by affidavit, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Pierce County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. Otherwise, file in the Pierce County Court. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize title information, and decide what documents are needed for estate settlement before a filing is made. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the personal-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 fits, it is presented to the holder of the property and does not require a trip to Pierce. If Letters are needed, mail the filing to 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767, or fax it to 402-329-4412 with the cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Any request to appear remotely needs prior judge authorization under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704 and District 7's rule. | Sunset helps assemble the asset list, prepare the probate packet, and coordinate with a local attorney if a court filing is needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | An affidavit route may not be enough if the home must be sold. A clerk magistrate may hear some noncontested estate and inheritance tax matters, but may not determine title to real estate or authorize the sale or mortgaging of real estate; those matters go to a county judge (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519). The Pierce County Court determines the county inheritance tax, with the tax due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004). | Sunset helps find accounts, organize home and debt information, and connect the family with a vetted local probate attorney for the sale issues. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Pierce County Court | 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767. Phone 402-329-6245. Fax 402-329-4412. Email [email protected] for questions, not filings. Call before an early visit because published opening times differ. |
| Pierce County Court page | https://piercecountyne.gov/county-court/. The county page lists the local address, phone, fax, email, and county-published hours. |
| Pierce County Register of Deeds | 111 West Court Street, Room 1, Pierce, NE 68767. Phone 402-329-4225. This is where the real-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 is recorded. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center and Estates section | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates. The site explains Nebraska self-help limits, estate topics, affidavit routes, fax filing, and the no-email-filing rule. |
| Statewide affidavit forms | CC 15:40 for personal property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-40.pdf. CC 15:41 for real property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-41.pdf. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/Ch6Art6App1.pdf. Use it as the first page of a fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| Statewide case search | https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. JUSTICE through Nebraska.gov provides statewide trial court case information, with online detail views carrying the listed Nebraska.gov charge. |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Statewide AccessLine 1.877.250.2016, with intake information at legalaidofnebraska.org. ElderAccessLine 1.800.527.7249 serves people 60 and over in all 93 counties. Screening depends on household income, assets, and legal issue; published practice areas are family, debt, housing, and benefits rather than estate administration, and the organization takes no walk-ins. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/. Free Legal Answers is a virtual civil legal advice clinic; its published topic list does not include estates, and volunteers do not represent users in court. |
| Limited Scope Representation | Information is available through nebraskajudicial.gov. Limited Scope Representation can let a family hire a lawyer for part of a probate matter instead of full representation. |
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 Pierce County does not publish a local application or petition form that opens an estate. The clerk of the Pierce County Court can accept filings but cannot advise you, so Limited Scope Representation through nebraskajudicial.gov can be a middle option. Legal Aid of Nebraska can be reached through 1.877.250.2016, but estate administration is not one of its published practice areas. Sunset connects families 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 identify accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may need to be addressed in estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you gather into an organized packet for the Pierce County Court, the register of deeds, or an attorney review, depending on which Nebraska route fits.
Find a local probate attorney. When a filing needs legal judgment, a real estate sale, inheritance tax work, or a contested issue, Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney familiar with Nebraska county court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools without paying Sunset. Attorney services, court filing fees, recording charges, and other third-party costs are separate.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Pierce County?
File probate with the clerk of the Pierce County Court at 111 West Court Street, Room 11, Pierce, NE 68767. 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 decedents' estates (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517).
Does Pierce County share a clerk with another county?
Yes. One clerk magistrate serves both the Pierce County Court and the Antelope County Court under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507. The courts keep separate courthouses and filing contacts, so a Pierce County estate filing stays in Pierce.
What are the Pierce County Court hours?
The Judicial Branch listing gives 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Pierce County's page gives 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, open through lunch and closed weekends and holidays. Call 402-329-6245 before going early.
How much does probate cost in Pierce County?
The fee is set by Nebraska statute, not by Pierce County. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 and the statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, the statutory base 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 fees are based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death and run up to $1,500 for estates over $5,000,000. Confirm the current counter total before filing.
Can I avoid probate with an affidavit in Pierce County?
Sometimes. The Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, CC 15:40, is used under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 and carries a $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. It is presented to the holder of the property. The Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, CC 15:41, is used under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 and carries a separate $100,000 ceiling raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. In Pierce County, the real-property affidavit is recorded with the Pierce County Register of Deeds.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Pierce County?
Nebraska law allows a personal representative to proceed without a lawyer, but the Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. That is especially important when there is no local opening form, real estate must be sold, tax questions exist, or someone disagrees.
Can I file by fax, e-filing, or email in Pierce County?
A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. A person without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax to 402-329-4412 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), which every Nebraska court must accept until July 1, 2028. Email filings are not allowed (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
Can I appear by phone or video for a Pierce County probate hearing?
Ask the court for permission. Nebraska law allows nonevidentiary hearings, and approved evidentiary hearings with all appearing parties' stipulation, by telephone or videoconference under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. District 7's rule requires prior authorization from the presiding county judge.
How do I look up a Pierce County probate case?
Use the Nebraska.gov JUSTICE search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general list search is free; viewing details costs $2 as listed in August 2026, and frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100 as listed in August 2026. The same case information is free at a courthouse kiosk or law library.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax, and who is paid?
Yes. Nebraska has an inheritance tax, and it is a county tax. The Pierce 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).
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.