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Thomas County, NE Probate Information
Quick facts
| Topic | Thomas County details |
|---|---|
| Court | Thomas County Court |
| Courthouse address | Thomas County Courthouse, 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE 69166 |
| Mailing address | Thomas County Court, P.O. Box 233, Thedford, NE 69166 |
| Phone | 308-645-2266 |
| Fax | 308-645-2623. 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 courts. | |
| Hours | The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists court house hours as 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and states that court sessions are held the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am, with a call-ahead note. Thomas County's website lists shorter public hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; closed weekends and holidays. Call 308-645-2266 before travelling. |
| Filing fee | As of the statewide court-cost schedule effective July 1, 2026, the counter total for a probate commenced and closed informally is $44.00, or $45.00 where a will is proved and the certificate of probate of will issues. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 provides a $22 base for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, with another $22 for each subsequent petition or application in an informal proceeding; formal probate is charged on a schedule keyed to the 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 you file. |
| Local forms | Thomas County publishes no county-specific probate packet. Use the statewide CC 15:40 Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, CC 15:41 Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, and the uniform fax cover sheet under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B) when fax filing. |
| E-filing | Nebraska attorneys must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Neb. Ct. R. § 2-216 addresses non-attorney electronic filing registration only when the rule's conditions are met, so ask the clerk before relying on it. |
| Case search | Statewide trial court case search is through Nebraska.gov and the Judicial Branch's JUSTICE case management system at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi. As stated for August 2026, a general list search 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 is available at no charge at a courthouse kiosk or law library. |
| Remote appearance | Nebraska law allows a county court to hear all nonevidentiary hearings, and evidentiary hearings approved by the court with all appearing parties' stipulation, telephonically or by videoconference in a manner that preserves an accurate record (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Thomas County is in the eleventh county judge district, whose Remote Hearing Rules require the moving party to coordinate the remote hearing with the court at least 5 days in advance, except emergencies. |
| County judge district | Thomas County sits in Nebraska's eleventh county judge district (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503). The district assigns county judges and local rules; it does not move a Thomas County estate filing out of Thedford. |
| Website | Thomas County Court: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/thomas-county-court. Thomas County government: https://thomascountyne.gov/county-court/. |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Thomas County, make a complete list of the decedent's assets, debts, account titles, beneficiary designations, real estate, vehicles, and known creditors. The local filing choice depends on what actually has to transfer, whether Letters are needed, and whether the estate settlement can use an affidavit route or must be opened in the Thomas County Court.
Sunset's estate settlement process starts with asset discovery across more than 2,300 financial institutions, then organizes the probate packet and attorney handoff around what is found. That matters in Thomas County because the court lists monthly sessions, public hours differ by website, and a mail or fax filing may be more practical than an unplanned courthouse trip.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Thomas County is filed with the clerk of the Thomas County Court at the Thomas County Courthouse in Thedford, or by mail to Thomas County Court, P.O. Box 233, Thedford, NE 69166. The clerk of the Thomas County Court is an office held by a clerk magistrate under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-507.
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). Thomas County sits in Nebraska's eleventh county judge district (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-503), which assigns county judges and local rules; the Thomas County estate itself is filed at this county's courthouse in Thedford.
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). Do not use a district number as a filing location.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether the case is an informal probate application to the registrar or a formal probate 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 written court 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, asset information, debt information, and the names and addresses required for the application or petition. Informal probate cannot issue until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- File with the clerk of the Thomas County Court at 503 Main Street in Thedford, mail the packet to P.O. Box 233, Thedford, NE 69166, or, if filing without a lawyer, fax it to 308-645-2623 with the uniform cover sheet required for fax filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). Nebraska attorneys must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. Email is not a filing method.
- Pay the filing fee and court costs required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125. As of the statewide court-cost schedule effective July 1, 2026, the informal counter total is $44.00, or $45.00 where a will is proved and the certificate of probate of will issues, while formal fees follow the statutory gross value schedule.
- Ask how the court will schedule the matter. Thomas County lists court sessions on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am, and the eleventh county judge district's Remote Hearing Rules require a remote hearing request to be coordinated with the court at least 5 days in advance, except emergencies, under 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; claims are barred unless presented within two months after the first publication when notice is given as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485). Provide any required Department of Health and Human Services notice if the decedent was 55 or older or resided in a medical institution (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483).
- Use the Letters issued by the county court to collect assets, deal with creditors, prepare the inventory, and manage estate settlement. One certified copy of letters of appointment is provided without charge under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125.
- Address Nebraska inheritance tax through the Thomas County Court and pay it to the county if due. The tax is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010), and rates and exemptions depend on the beneficiary's relationship to the decedent and the date-of-death rules in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2004.
- Distribute remaining property after the required steps are complete, then close the estate by the appropriate Nebraska Probate Code filing, including a closing statement when that route applies (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,128).
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Thomas County
Thomas County does not publish a county-specific probate packet or county cover sheet for opening a decedent's estate. The clerk's office cannot give legal advice or draft the application or petition for you.
| Form or resource | Use in Thomas County |
|---|---|
| CC 15:40, Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate, revised July 2022 | Used only when the personal-property affidavit route applies. It is presented to the holder of the property, not filed with the Thomas County Court, and it is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125. The $100,000 personal-property ceiling was raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. |
| CC 15:41, Affidavit for Transfer of Real Property without Probate, revised October 2025 | Used only when the real-property affidavit route applies. It is recorded with the Thomas County Register of Deeds at 503 Main Street in Thedford, not filed with the Thomas County Court, and it is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129. The $100,000 real-property ceiling was raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. |
| Uniform fax cover sheet | Required as the first page when a person filing without a lawyer sends a filing by fax under Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. |
| Informal-probate flowchart with a will | The Nebraska Judicial Branch provides a flowchart at nebraskajudicial.gov for an uncontested testate informal probate. It does not cover cases with no will, a contested will, or contested estate distribution. |
| Opening application or formal petition | The Nebraska Judicial Branch does not publish a statewide application or petition form to open an estate. In Thomas County, prepare the document for the track you are using, informal application to the registrar or formal petition to the court with notice. |
Timeline
- Before filing, call 308-645-2266 to confirm current public hours and whether the next monthly court session affects timing. Thomas County lists court sessions for the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am.
- For informal probate, the registrar cannot issue the written statement until at least 120 hours have elapsed since death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2415).
- If a remote hearing is needed, raise it early. The eleventh county judge district's Remote Hearing Rules require the moving party to coordinate the remote hearing with the court at least 5 days in advance, except emergencies, and Nebraska's statewide rule is Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704.
- 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; creditor claims are barred unless presented within two months after first publication when notice is given as required (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485).
- Inheritance tax is handled through the Thomas County Court and is due twelve months after the date of death (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-2010, § 77-2004).
Local nuance
Thomas County-specific considerations
- The clerk of the Thomas County Court also serves three other county courts, and the Thomas County Court page states that court sessions are held only the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am. The office also states that calls are taken during weekday business hours. Call before travelling.
- Public hours do not match across the court and county listings. The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, while Thomas County's website lists Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- The Thomas County Register of Deeds, where a CC 15:41 real property affidavit is recorded under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, is also at 503 Main Street in Thedford but uses a different phone number, 308-645-2261. The court phone is 308-645-2266. The published fax number is the same, 308-645-2623.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Thomas County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start with the deed and account titles. If only personal property remains and the statutory conditions fit, CC 15:40 may be presented to the holder after the 30-day waiting period under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, using the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. If a real-property interest must transfer and the separate real-property affidavit conditions fit, CC 15:41 is recorded with the Thomas County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129, using the $100,000 ceiling raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024. If Letters are needed, file with the Thomas County Court. | Sunset identifies accounts, deeds, beneficiary issues, and whether estate settlement likely needs Letters or an affidavit route. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | If the personal-property affidavit route applies under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125, no trip to Thedford is needed to present CC 15:40 to the holder. If Letters are needed, use mail to P.O. Box 233 or fax to 308-645-2623 with the Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B) cover sheet if filing without a lawyer. Because Thomas County lists court sessions only on the first Tuesday of each month, ask early about a remote hearing under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704 and the eleventh county judge district rule. | Sunset organizes the asset list, drafts the packet, tracks the Thomas County filing details, and helps the family avoid unnecessary travel when a remote hearing request or mail filing is workable. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Neither affidavit route is a sale process. A clerk magistrate may hear noncontested estate matters, but not a determination of title to real estate or authorization to sell or mortgage real estate (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-519, § 24-507). That issue goes to a county judge. The clerk publishes notice to creditors, claims are barred two months after first publication when notice is given as required, and inheritance tax is determined by the Thomas County Court (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2483, § 30-2485, § 77-2004). | Sunset helps assemble property, debt, creditor, and tax information, then connects the family to a local probate attorney for the court order needed to sell the home. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas County Court | Filing location for Thomas County probate matters, hearing questions, fax filing questions, and questions about local scheduling. | 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE 69166; mailing P.O. Box 233, Thedford, NE 69166; phone 308-645-2266; fax 308-645-2623; https://nebraskajudicial.gov/courts/thomas-county-court |
| Thomas County Register of Deeds | Records the CC 15:41 real property affidavit when the Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 route applies. This is not where probate is opened. | 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE 69166; mailing P.O. Box 226; phone 308-645-2261; fax 308-645-2623; [email protected]; https://thomascountyne.gov/register-of-deeds/ |
| Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help Center | Virtual self-help materials, including filing-method rules, the no-email-filing rule, and links to estate resources. Court employees cannot give legal advice. | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help |
| Estates self-help section | Estate information, claims against estates, deposit of wills, the informal-probate flowchart, and affidavit information. | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates |
| Master Forms List | Statewide form search for CC 15:40, CC 15:41, claims forms, notice forms, and the uniform fax cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B). | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/forms |
| Nebraska.gov case search | Searches statewide trial court case information in JUSTICE. As stated for August 2026, list searches have no charge, detail views are $2, and a frequent-user subscriber account is an annual $100 through nebraska.gov. | https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi |
| Limited Scope Representation | Information on hiring a lawyer for part of a case rather than the entire matter. | https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help |
| Legal Aid of Nebraska | Statewide civil legal screening. Published practice areas focus on family, debt, housing, and benefits rather than estate administration, and the organization takes no walk-ins. | AccessLine through legalaidofnebraska.org: 1.877.250.2016, 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 for people 60 and over. |
| Nebraska Free Legal Answers | Free email question-and-answer service for qualifying civil legal questions. Its posted topic list does not include estates, and volunteer lawyers cannot represent anyone in court. | https://ne.freelegalanswers.org/ |
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 that filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help and that the Self-Help Center cannot supply forms for every situation. In Thomas County, there is no county packet for the opening application or petition, the court lists monthly sessions, and Limited Scope Representation information is available through nebraskajudicial.gov if you want help with only part of the case. Sunset connects families in Thomas County to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps build the asset picture before the Thomas County filing path is chosen. That makes estate settlement more efficient because the family can see whether Letters, an affidavit route, or attorney help is likely needed.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized probate packet for the Thomas County Court, with the courthouse address, mailing address, fax number, fee notes, and local timing reminders included.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a home sale, a contested issue, inheritance tax questions, or formal probate with notice, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Nebraska probate attorney who understands county court practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools at no cost, including asset discovery, task tracking, probate packet preparation, and help deciding when a lawyer should step in.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Thomas County?
File with the clerk of the Thomas County Court at the Thomas County Courthouse, 503 Main Street, Thedford, NE 69166, or mail the packet to Thomas County Court, P.O. Box 233, Thedford, NE 69166. 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 Thomas County Court hours?
The Nebraska Judicial Branch lists court house hours as 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and lists court sessions for the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am, with a call-ahead note. Thomas County's website lists Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Call 308-645-2266 before travelling.
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Thomas County?
Nebraska allows self-representation, but the Judicial Branch's estate materials also say that filing an estate will most often require an attorney's help. A Thomas County estate with a home sale, contested issues, missing heirs, inheritance tax questions, or no clear form to use is a strong candidate for legal help.
How much does probate cost in Thomas County?
As of the statewide court-cost schedule effective July 1, 2026, the counter total for a probate commenced and closed informally is $44.00, or $45.00 where a will is proved and the certificate of probate of will issues. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-125 provides a $22 base for a probate proceeding commenced and closed informally, plus $22 for each later petition or application in an informal proceeding, and a formal schedule based on gross value that reaches $1,500 for estates over $5,000,000. Confirm the current amount with the clerk before filing.
Can I avoid opening probate with an affidavit in Thomas County?
Sometimes. CC 15:40 is presented to the holder of personal property under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,125 and is not filed with the court; its $100,000 ceiling was raised by 2022 Neb. Laws LB 1124, signed April 18, 2022. CC 15:41 is recorded with the Thomas County Register of Deeds under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-24,129 for qualifying real property; its separate $100,000 ceiling was raised by 2024 Neb. Laws LB 1195, signed April 15, 2024.
Is there a Nebraska inheritance tax in Thomas County, and who gets paid?
Yes. Nebraska inheritance tax is a county tax: the Thomas 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).
Can I file by fax or email in Thomas County?
A person filing without a lawyer may file in person, by mail, or by fax to 308-645-2623 with the uniform cover sheet required by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), accepted until July 1, 2028. Nebraska attorneys must use electronic filing under Neb. Ct. R. § 2-202. Email filings are not allowed.
Can I appear by phone or video for a Thomas County probate hearing?
Ask the clerk early. Nebraska law allows nonevidentiary hearings, and evidentiary hearings approved by the court with all appearing parties' stipulation, to be heard telephonically or by videoconference (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2704). Thomas County is in the eleventh county judge district, whose Remote Hearing Rules require coordination with the court at least 5 days in advance except emergencies.
How do I look up a Thomas County probate case?
Use the Nebraska.gov statewide trial court search at https://www.nebraska.gov/justice/case.cgi, which runs on the JUSTICE case management system. As stated for August 2026, list searches have no charge, viewing case details is $2, and a subscriber account for frequent users is an annual $100 through nebraska.gov. Courthouse kiosks and law libraries provide the same case information without that online charge.
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.