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Stanton County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Stanton County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Stanton County Court |
| Courthouse address | 804 Ivy Street, Stanton, NE 68779 |
| Mailing address | P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779 |
| Phone | 402-439-2221 |
| Fax | 402-439-2227. A person filing without a lawyer may use fax filing with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. |
| [email protected], for questions, not filings. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212). | |
| Hours | The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stanton County's site lists weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 402-439-2221 before traveling. |
| Filing fee | $22 for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, another $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding, and a formal probate fee keyed to the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, from $22 to $1,500 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125). The Judicial Branch statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 lists the counter total for informal probate at $44, or $45 testate. Confirm the current amount with the clerk of the Stanton County Court before filing. |
| Local forms | Stanton County does not publish a county-specific probate packet on its County Court/Traffic Court page. Statewide forms and the fax cover sheet are listed below. |
| E-filing | A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). A person filing without a lawyer is not required to e-file and may file in person, by mail, or by fax with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Confirm with the clerk whether non-attorney electronic filing registration under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 is available before relying on it. |
| Case search | Statewide trial court case search runs through Nebraska.gov on the Judicial Branch JUSTICE system: https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. 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 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 the stipulation of all appearing parties, by telephone or videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Stanton County sits in Nebraska's seventh county judge district, whose local rule requires prior court authorization from the presiding county judge for any remote hearing. |
| County judge district | Seventh county judge district, which includes Antelope, Cuming, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, and Wayne counties (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/stanton-county-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a probate path in Stanton County, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, real estate, vehicles, debts, and likely heirs or devisees. Nebraska procedure turns on what property exists, whether Letters are needed, whether the real estate title must change, and whether the Nebraska inheritance tax needs a determination.
Sunset's estate settlement process can search across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify assets and liabilities before you file. That early inventory makes it easier to decide whether you are preparing an affidavit, an informal probate application, or a formal probate petition for the Stanton County Court.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Stanton County is filed with the clerk of the Stanton County Court at 804 Ivy Street in Stanton. Mail goes to P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779. Stanton is the courthouse city and county seat for Stanton 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).
Stanton County sits in Nebraska's seventh county judge district, which is how county judges and the county court's local rules are assigned; the case itself is filed at this county's own courthouse (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-502, § 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 at death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the Nebraska track. 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 Stanton County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216).
- Gather the death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses for interested persons, an initial asset and debt list, and any information needed for Nebraska inheritance tax issues.
- File with the clerk of the Stanton County Court at 804 Ivy Street in Stanton, by mail to P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779, or, if you are filing without a lawyer, by fax to 402-439-2227 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 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, with another $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding; formal probate is charged on the gross value schedule in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125, from $22 to $1,500. The statewide fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 lists the informal counter total at $44, or $45 testate.
- 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).
- After a personal representative is appointed, the clerk publishes notice to creditors once a week for three successive weeks, with the first publication within thirty days after appointment (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483). Claims covered by that notice are generally barred unless presented within two months after the date of first publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485). If the decedent was 55 or older or lived in a medical institution, address the Department of Health and Human Services notice requirement in 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 additional charge in a formal probate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125).
- Administer the estate: inventory assets, handle creditor claims, manage any sale or transfer issues, and keep records for the final estate settlement. A clerk magistrate, the office that serves as clerk of the county court under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507, may hear certain noncontested estate and inheritance tax matters, but not the construction of a will or trust, determination of title to real estate, or authorization to sell or mortgage real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519).
- Address Nebraska inheritance tax. The Stanton County Court determines the county 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 on whether death was before or on or after January 1, 2023 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004).
- Close the estate when administration is complete. Nebraska uses a closing statement for the statutory closing route (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Stanton County
Stanton County does not publish a county-specific probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or local instruction packet on its County Court/Traffic Court page. The clerk of the Stanton County Court can receive filings, but court staff cannot provide legal advice or draft the application or petition for you.
| Form or resource | Use |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate | Statewide form revised July 2022 for the personal-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. The personal-property ceiling is $100,000, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. This affidavit is presented to the holder of the property, not filed with the county court. |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate | Statewide form revised October 2025 for the real-property affidavit under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. The real-property ceiling is $100,000, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. It is recorded with the Stanton County Register of Deeds, not filed as the court opening document. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page of any fax filing by a person filing without a lawyer under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. |
| Flowchart for informal probate with a will | The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes a flowchart for informal probate filed with a will. It does not apply when there is no will, when the will is contested, or when the estate or distribution is contested. |
| Opening application or petition | The Nebraska Judicial Branch does not publish a statewide fill-in form for the application that opens informal probate, the petition for formal probate, Letters, or an inventory, and Stanton County does not publish a local substitute. |
Local nuance
Stanton County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for filing |
|---|---|
| Published hours differ | The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stanton County's site lists weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 402-439-2221 before traveling, especially over lunch or early morning. |
| Register of deeds is separate | The Stanton County Register of Deeds is at 804 Ivy Street, but mail goes to P.O. Box 347, Stanton, NE 68779, and the phone is 402-439-2222. That is the office where a real-property affidavit is recorded under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| District 7 remote hearing rule | Stanton County's local rule requires prior court authorization from the presiding county judge for any remote hearing. Evidentiary hearings, bench trials, and witness testimony require stipulation plus the court's case-by-case permission, consistent with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. |
Recent updates
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Stanton County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start with how the deed and accounts are titled. Personal property that qualifies for the $100,000 affidavit route, raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022, may use CC 15:40 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. Nebraska real property that qualifies for the separate $100,000 real-property affidavit route, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024, uses CC 15:41 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 and is recorded with the Stanton County Register of Deeds. If Letters are needed, file with the clerk of the Stanton County Court. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title issues, and debts before the family chooses an affidavit or court estate settlement path. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a qualifying affidavit estate | If personal property qualifies under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, CC 15:40 is presented to the holder of the property, not filed with the court. If Letters are needed, file by mail to P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779, or by fax to 402-439-2227 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. A remote hearing must be authorized by the presiding county judge under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704 and District 7's rule. | Sunset organizes the asset list, prepares filing information, and helps coordinate with a local attorney if the court route is needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually means opening an estate in the Stanton County Court. A clerk magistrate, the office that serves as clerk of the county court under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507, may handle some noncontested matters, but may not determine title to real estate or authorize a sale or mortgage of real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519). Notice to creditors is published by the clerk, and claims are generally barred two months after first publication (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485). The Stanton County Court also determines Nebraska inheritance tax under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004 and § 77-2018.01. | Sunset helps gather accounts, property information, creditor details, and attorney-ready documents for a smoother estate settlement. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Stanton County Court | 804 Ivy Street, Stanton, NE 68779. Mail: P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779. Phone 402-439-2221. Fax 402-439-2227. Email [email protected] for questions, not filings. Call before traveling because published hours differ. |
| Stanton County Court/Traffic Court page | County website page for the court contact information: https://stantoncounty.nebraska.gov/about/county-courttraffic-court. |
| Stanton County Register of Deeds | 804 Ivy Street, P.O. Box 347, Stanton, NE 68779. Phone 402-439-2222. This is where a real-property affidavit is recorded under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | Virtual self-help information from the Nebraska Judicial Branch: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help. Court employees cannot provide legal advice or interpret the law. |
| Estates section and additional estates information | Judicial Branch estate information, including affidavit conditions and the self-representation statement: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates/additional-information-estates. |
| Affidavit forms CC 15:40 and CC 15:41 | CC 15:40 is for personal property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. CC 15:41 is for real property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. Forms are at https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-40.pdf and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-41.pdf. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required for fax filing by a person filing without a lawyer under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B): https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/Ch6Art6App1.pdf. |
| Flowchart for informal probate with a will | Judicial Branch flowchart for an uncontested testate informal probate: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/AD-2-26.pdf. |
| Statewide case search | Nebraska.gov JUSTICE case search: https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general list search is free; viewing case details is $2, and frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100. |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Statewide AccessLine 1.877.250.2016, Monday and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central. ElderAccessLine 1.800.527.7249 for people 60 and older in all 93 counties. Screening depends on 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. https://legalaidofnebraska.org/ |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | Free Legal Answers is a free online civil legal question clinic at https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/. Its volunteers cannot represent anyone in court, and estates are not on its published topic list. |
| Limited Scope Representation | Information about hiring a lawyer for part of a case is available through the Nebraska Judicial Branch at https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/limited-scope-representation/people-wanting-limited-legal-assistance. |
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 while also saying that filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. Stanton County does not publish a local opening form to fill the statewide gap, and the clerk of the Stanton County Court can accept filings but cannot give legal advice or interpret the law. Limited Scope Representation may help if you need a lawyer for part of the case, and Legal Aid of Nebraska can be reached at 1.877.250.2016 for income-eligible screening, although estate administration is not among 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 institutions to help families identify accounts, policies, debts, and property information before deciding how to proceed in Stanton County.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information needed for estate settlement, including asset lists, family information, creditor details, and documents a Nebraska probate attorney or the Stanton County Court may request.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs Letters, a real estate sale, formal probate, or inheritance tax help, Sunset connects families with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps, and get connected with professional help without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Stanton County?
File with the clerk of the Stanton County Court at 804 Ivy Street in Stanton, or mail the filing to P.O. Box 536, Stanton, NE 68779. 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 Stanton County Court hours?
The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Stanton County's site lists weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 402-439-2221 before traveling, especially near lunch or early morning.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Stanton County?
Nebraska law allows self-representation, but the Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. Stanton County does not publish a local application or petition form for opening an estate, so legal help is often practical even when it is not required.
How much does probate cost in Stanton County?
The base fee 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 is charged under a statewide schedule based on the gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, from $22 to $1,500 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125). The Judicial Branch fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 lists the informal counter total at $44, or $45 testate.
Can I avoid probate in Stanton County with an affidavit?
Possibly. For personal property, CC 15:40 may be used when the requirements of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 are met, including the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. For Nebraska real property, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Stanton County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 when that separate $100,000 ceiling applies, raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024.
Can I file by fax or email in Stanton County?
A person filing without a lawyer may file by fax to 402-439-2227 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202). Email filings are not allowed in court cases (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
Can I attend a Stanton County probate hearing by phone or video?
A remote hearing may be requested. Nebraska law allows 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). District 7's local rule requires prior court authorization from the presiding county judge for any remote hearing.
How do I look up a Stanton County probate case?
Use the Nebraska.gov JUSTICE trial court case search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. A general search for a list of cases is free; viewing case details is $2, with no extra charge for document images. Frequent users can open a Nebraska.gov subscriber account for an annual $100, and the same case information is free at any courthouse kiosk or law library.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax in a Stanton County estate?
Yes. Nebraska inheritance tax is determined by the Stanton County Court and 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.