Probate in Antelope County, Nebraska: 2026 Guide

Antelope County is located in Nebraska with a population of approximately 6,300. The Antelope County Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.

Nebraska probate is governed by the Nebraska Probate Code (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-2201 et seq.). Most uncontested estates start with informal probate (when there is a will) or informal appointment (when there is no will). These are filed with the county court registrar and usually handled without a hearing. Formal probate is a petition decided by a judge after notice and a hearing, and is generally used for contested or complex cases. Once appointed, the personal representative receives Letters of Personal Representative, which give them authority to act for the estate.

Nebraska offers a simplified procedure for small estates. If the value of the decedent's personal property (less liens and encumbrances) does not exceed $100,000, successors may use an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property without Probate after a 30-day waiting period. A similar affidavit procedure exists for real property valued at $100,000 or less.

Nebraska does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives; fees must be reasonable based on the services provided.

This guide provides an informational overview of the Antelope County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.

Antelope County Court

Probate matters in Antelope County are handled at the Antelope County Courthouse.

Address: 501 M Street, PO Box 26, Neligh, NE 68756

Phone: (402) 887-4650 (County Court Clerk Magistrate)

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

The County Court is located within the historic Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh. The Clerk Magistrate's office processes probate filings.

Parking and Access

Street parking is generally available around the courthouse square in Neligh. The building is accessible to the public during business hours.

Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary

Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:

• Small Estate Affidavit (Personal Property): If the net estate value is $100,000 or less, you may claim assets via affidavit 30 days after death.
• Small Estate Affidavit (Real Property): If real property is valued at $100,000 or less, it may be transferred via affidavit filed with the Register of Deeds.
• Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.

Step 2: Choose Informal or Formal Probate and File

• Informal (the usual path for uncontested estates): You file an application with the county court registrar. There is usually no hearing.
• Formal (for contested or complex estates): You file a petition, notice is given to interested people, and a judge decides the matter after a hearing. Consider talking with an attorney if your situation calls for formal probate.

For informal probate, file the application that matches your situation with the Antelope County Court:

• If there is a will: Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative
• If there is no will: Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative

Nebraska does not publish a statewide fillable PDF for either application. Request the current probate packet from the Antelope County Court clerk.

Documents commonly filed with or soon after the application include:

• The original will and any codicils (if there is a will)
• Notice of Informal Probate and Notice to Creditors, for publication
• Acceptance of Appointment by the personal representative
• Renunciations or nominations from others with equal priority to serve (if applicable)
• The filing fee

Nebraska courts generally require attorneys to e-file; self-represented filers may file on paper at the clerk's office.

Step 3: Provide Notice

After filing, you must:

• Mail notice of the hearing (or informal appointment) to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
• Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Antelope County (such as the Neligh News and Leader) for three successive weeks.

Step 4: Appointment and Letters

For informal probate, the county court registrar reviews the application and, if it is complete, appoints the personal representative, usually without a hearing. For formal probate, a judge decides the petition after notice and a hearing. Once appointed, the personal representative receives Letters of Personal Representative, which give them authority to act for the estate.

Step 5: Administer the Estate

After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:

• Notify creditors: Creditors generally have two months after the first publication of notice to file claims.
• Inventory and appraise all estate assets and file the inventory with the court within three months of appointment.
• Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses.
• File federal and state tax returns as needed (including Nebraska inheritance tax).
• Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
• File a final accounting and petition for discharge (or a sworn statement to close the estate informally).

Antelope County-Specific Procedures

• Local Court Rules: Antelope County is part of the 7th Judicial District. Follow Nebraska Supreme Court rules for county courts.
• Inheritance Tax: Nebraska has a county inheritance tax. Proceedings to determine tax are often handled concurrently with probate.
• Publication: Notice is typically published in the Neligh News and Leader, Antelope County News, or Summerland Advocate-Messenger.

Always check with the Clerk Magistrate for any specific local filing preferences or additional forms required at the time of filing.

Filing Fees (Antelope County)

• Informal probate filing: base fee of about $22 plus court costs; confirm the current total with the clerk. The Nebraska Judicial Branch publishes the statewide county court fee schedule.
• Formal probate: fees are set on a sliding scale based on the value of the estate.
• Certified copies: small per-certificate and per-page charges apply; ask the clerk.
• Publication costs: vary by newspaper; ask the newspaper for a quote.

Nebraska law requires attorney and personal representative fees to be "reasonable" rather than a fixed percentage of the estate.

Payment Methods

The court accepts cash, checks, or money orders. Credit cards may be accepted for e-filing or with a convenience fee.

Estimated Timelines

• Simple estates (Informal): 6-9 months
• Average estates: 9-12 months
• Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2+ years

The creditor claim period is two months following the first publication of notice. The inventory is due three months after appointment.

Antelope County Court Resources

• Court Website: https://antelopecounty.nebraska.gov/county-court
• Probate Self-Help: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/estates
• Nebraska Probate Forms: https://nebraskajudicial.gov/forms?field_form_type_tid=116

Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals

• Nebraska State Bar Association: (402) 475-7091 — https://www.nebar.com
• Legal Aid of Nebraska: (877) 250-2016 — https://www.legalaidofnebraska.org
• Nebraska Find a Lawyer: https://www.nefindalawyer.com

Publication

• Neligh News and Leader: (402) 887-4840 — Newspaper of general circulation
• Antelope County News: (402) 887-4000 — Local news source
• Summerland Advocate-Messenger: (402) 485-2101 — Serving Clearwater, Ewing, Orchard