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Thayer County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Thayer County Court |
| Courthouse address | 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370 |
| Mailing address | Same as the courthouse address: 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370 |
| Phone | 402-768-6325 |
| Fax | 402-768-7232. A person filing without a lawyer may use fax filing with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| [email protected], for questions only. Email filings are not allowed in Nebraska courts under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212. | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The office is closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Call 402-768-6325 before visiting. |
| Filing fee | Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 and the Judicial Branch statewide 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. The counter total for an informal probate is listed as $44, or $45 when a will is proved. Formal probate is charged by gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, from $22 for estates of $1,000 or less to $1,500 over $5,000,000. Confirm the amount with the clerk before filing. |
| Local forms | No Thayer County probate packet or local probate cover sheet is posted. Use the Nebraska Judicial Branch estate forms that apply, and use the uniform fax cover sheet for any fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). |
| E-filing | A Nebraska attorney must use electronic filing under 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 under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 addresses optional non-attorney electronic filing registration; ask the clerk whether that option is open before relying on it. |
| 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 details is $2, with no extra charge for document images. A one-time party-name search is $17 for up to 30 matches, 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 (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Thayer County sits in Nebraska's first county judge district, whose Protocol for Virtual Meetings requires a request at least three business days before a nontestimonial hearing and leaves approval to the presiding judge. |
| County judge district | Nebraska's first county judge district (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503) |
| Website | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/thayer-county-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Thayer County, list the decedent's accounts, vehicles, real estate, debts, beneficiaries, and any will. Nebraska procedure changes depending on whether the estate needs a personal representative, whether the affidavit routes fit, whether real property must transfer, and whether inheritance tax must be determined.
Sunset's estate settlement workflow starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 institutions, then helps organize the information needed for the Nebraska probate packet, court filing decisions, and attorney review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Thayer County is filed with the clerk of the Thayer County Court at 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370. Thayer County sits in Nebraska's first 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).
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 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 had property at death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410).
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether a no-court affidavit route fits before opening a case. CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, applies to qualifying personal property under the $100,000 ceiling after thirty days have elapsed and is presented to the holder of the property, not filed with the court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, is recorded with the register of deeds for qualifying real property and is not the filing that opens probate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129).
- Choose the correct court track. Informal probate uses an application to the registrar; 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 Thayer County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216). Formal probate uses a petition to the court and proceeds with notice.
- Gather the certified death certificate, the original will if there is one, names and addresses of interested persons, asset information, debt information, and the facts needed to show why Thayer County is the proper venue under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2410.
- File with the clerk of the Thayer County Court at 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370. A Nebraska attorney must file electronically under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail to the same address, or by fax to 402-768-7232 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Do not send filings by email (Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212).
- Pay the probate filing fee. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 and the Judicial Branch statewide schedule effective July 1, 2026, an informal probate counter total is listed as $44, or $45 when a will is proved; formal probate is charged by gross value of the Nebraska estate at death.
- 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 appointment, watch the notice deadlines. 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). Claims are barred two months after the first publication if notice is given as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2485). Notice to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is required in the situations described by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483.
- Obtain Letters. Nebraska uses letters testamentary when there is a will and letters of administration when there is no will; one certified copy of letters of appointment is provided without charge in a formal case under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125(2).
- Administer the estate. The personal representative collects assets, deals with claims, prepares the inventory, keeps records, and addresses the Nebraska inheritance tax. The Thayer County Court determines the inheritance tax, it is paid to the county, and it is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004).
- If a hearing is set, ask early about the first county judge district's Protocol for Virtual Meetings. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704, nonevidentiary hearings, and certain approved evidentiary hearings with all appearing parties' stipulation, may be heard by telephone or videoconference. District 1 requires a request at least three business days before a nontestimonial hearing, and approval is up to the presiding judge.
- Distribute and close. After debts, expenses, required notices, inheritance tax, and distributions are handled, the personal representative closes the estate by the available Nebraska procedure, including a closing statement when that route applies (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Thayer County
Thayer County does not post a local probate packet, local probate cover sheet, or local instruction sheet. Nebraska's statewide forms are useful for specific estate tasks, but the Judicial Branch does not publish a statewide form for the application or petition that opens an estate, for Letters, or for an inventory.
| Document | Use | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, revised July 2022 | Used by a claiming successor for qualifying personal property after the statutory waiting period and $100,000 ceiling are met (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-40.pdf |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, revised October 2025 | Used for qualifying real property and recorded with the register of deeds, not filed to open a court case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129). | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-41.pdf |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page of a 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 Filed with a Will, AD 2:26, revised February 2020 | Explains an uncontested, testate informal probate path; it does not apply when there is no will, a will contest, or a contested estate or distribution. Informal probate still requires the registrar process under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2216. | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/AD-2-26.pdf |
Local nuance
Thayer County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Room 203 is the listed court counter | Thayer County Court is listed at 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370, so filings should be directed to that room unless the clerk gives different instructions. |
| Midday closure | Thayer County's government site lists court hours as Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Call 402-768-6325 before visiting. |
| Shared clerk magistrate service | The clerk of the Thayer County Court is an office held by a clerk magistrate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507. The same clerk magistrate also serves Jefferson County, but a Thayer County estate is filed in Hebron. |
| Real property affidavit location | The Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate is recorded with the Thayer County register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, not filed to open a Thayer County Court probate case. |
Recent updates
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2023, amended March 15, 2023 | Nebraska's first county judge district, which includes Thayer County, adopted and amended its Protocol for Virtual Meetings. A request to participate virtually in a nontestimonial proceeding must be made at least three business days before the hearing, and approval remains with the presiding judge under the protocol and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Localized path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start with title. If no personal representative is needed and only qualifying personal property remains, CC 15:40 may be presented to the holder after thirty days have elapsed and the $100,000 ceiling is met (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). If a qualifying real property interest must transfer, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Thayer County register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. If Letters are needed, file in the Thayer County Court in Hebron. | Sunset helps identify accounts, deed issues, beneficiary designations, and whether estate settlement can stay outside a court case or needs a personal representative. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the personal-property affidavit route fits, no trip to Hebron is needed because CC 15:40 is presented to the property holder under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. If Letters are needed, a person filing without a lawyer may file by mail to 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370, or by fax to 402-768-7232 with the uniform cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). If a hearing is set, ask at least three business days ahead about the District 1 virtual-meeting protocol and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704. | Sunset organizes asset information, prepares a probate packet for review, and helps the family decide what can be handled remotely and what needs local filing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Neither affidavit route authorizes a sale by itself. Open the estate with the clerk of the Thayer County Court. A clerk magistrate may hear noncontested estate and inheritance tax matters, but cannot determine title to real estate or authorize a sale or mortgage of real estate; those issues go to a county judge (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519, § 24-507). The Thayer County Court also determines the inheritance tax due twelve months after death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004). | Sunset gathers property, mortgage, tax, and account information, then connects the family with a Nebraska probate attorney when a court order or sale authority is needed. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Clerk of the Thayer County Court | 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370. Phone 402-768-6325. Fax 402-768-7232. Email [email protected] for questions, not filings. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Court page: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/thayer-county-court |
| Thayer County government court page | County-posted court contact and hours information: https://thayercountyne.gov/county-court/ |
| Thayer County register of deeds | Real property affidavits are recorded with the register of deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. Phone 402-768-6126. Page: https://thayercountyne.gov/clerk/ |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | Virtual self-help information from the Judicial Branch: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help |
| Estates section and additional estates information | Nebraska Judicial Branch estate information, including affidavit routes and the self-representation statement: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates and https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates/additional-information-estates |
| Statewide affidavit forms | CC 15:40 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/CC-15-40.pdf. CC 15:41 under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129: 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 |
| Statewide case search | JUSTICE through Nebraska.gov: https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. General lists are free, case details cost $2, and subscriber access is available through Nebraska.gov for an annual $100. |
| Limited Scope Representation | Nebraska Judicial Branch information on hiring a lawyer for part of a case: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/limited-scope-representation/people-wanting-limited-legal-assistance |
| 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. Published practice areas are family, debt, housing and benefits rather than estate administration, and the organization takes no walk-ins. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | ne.freelegalanswers.org lets qualifying users ask civil legal questions by email. Its published topic list does not include estates, and volunteer lawyers cannot represent anyone 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 Thayer County there is no local or statewide opening form for the application or petition, while the clerk cannot draft filings or give legal advice. Limited Scope Representation through nebraskajudicial.gov may be a middle option, and Legal Aid of Nebraska can be reached at 1.877.250.2016 for income-based screening, although estate administration is not among its published practice areas. Sunset connects families in Thayer County to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that may affect Thayer County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the family's information into an organized probate packet for the Nebraska process, including the facts a personal representative or attorney needs before filing in the Thayer County Court.
Find a local probate attorney
When a filing, real estate sale, inheritance tax issue, or contested question needs legal help, Sunset connects the family 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. If attorney help is needed, the attorney explains any fee arrangement directly.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Thayer County?
File with the clerk of the Thayer County Court at 225 North 4th Street, Room 203, Hebron, NE 68370. Nebraska district courts do not hear probate; the county court has exclusive original jurisdiction over decedents' estates, subject to the statutory exceptions in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-517.
What are the Thayer County Court hours?
Thayer County lists the court office as open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The office is closed from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Call 402-768-6325 before visiting.
Can I file a Thayer County probate case by fax or email?
A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax to 402-768-7232 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 under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. Email filings are not allowed under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-212.
Can I avoid probate in Thayer County with an affidavit?
Sometimes. CC 15:40 may be used for qualifying personal property if the $100,000 ceiling and other requirements are met after thirty days have elapsed (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125). CC 15:41 may be used for qualifying real property and is recorded with the register of deeds, not filed to open a county court case (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129).
How much does probate cost in Thayer County?
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 and the Judicial Branch statewide schedule effective July 1, 2026, the counter total for an informal probate is listed as $44, or $45 when a will is proved. Formal probate is charged by gross value of the Nebraska estate at death, from $22 for estates of $1,000 or less to $1,500 over $5,000,000. Confirm the current amount with the clerk before filing.
Do I need a lawyer for a Thayer County estate?
Nebraska allows self-representation, but the Judicial Branch says filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. The Thayer County clerk cannot draft the application or petition or give legal advice. Sunset can help organize the estate settlement and connect you with a vetted local probate attorney.
Can I appear by phone or video for a Thayer County hearing?
Possibly, with court approval. Nebraska law allows nonevidentiary hearings, and certain approved evidentiary hearings with all appearing parties' stipulation, to be heard by telephone or videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Thayer County is in the first county judge district, whose Protocol for Virtual Meetings requires a request at least three business days before a nontestimonial hearing and requires a video participant to be logged in five minutes early.
How do I look up a Thayer 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 is free; viewing 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 Thayer County estate?
Yes. Nebraska has an inheritance tax, and it is a county tax. The Thayer County Court determines it, it is paid to the county, and it is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2018.01, § 77-2004). 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.
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.