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SURVEY OF INTERIOR BOARD OF INDIAN APPEALS PROBATE DECISIONS
1980 - PRESENT
PRISCILLA A. WILFAHRT
Field Solicitor
U.S. Department of the Interior
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Department of the Interior Probate Training
August 22, 2000
Phoenix, Arizona
CONTENTS
I. Trust Responsibility
A. Probate Hearings
B. Claims Against the Estate and Trust Assets
C. Individuals and Tribes
II. General Rules of Construction
A. Statutes Construed for the Benefit of Indians
B. General Statutory Construction - Statutes and Regulations
C. Estoppel
III. Practice Before the Board - Procedure
A. Service of Process
B. Timing
C. Fact-finding and Burden of Proof
D. Standing
IV. Status of Parties and Choice of Law
A. Application of Federal/State/Tribal Law
B. Heirship
C. Adoption and Marriage
D. Intestacy
E. Paternity
F. Indian Status
V. Rehearings and Reopening Estates
A. Requirement for Petition for Rehearing
B. Authority to Reopen Estates
1. Reopening for the Sole Purpose of Determining Indian Status
2. Burden of Proof to Reopen
3. Factors to Consider for Reopening
VI. Will Formalities
A. Witnesses
B. Testamentary Capacity
C. Undue Influence
VII. Property Inventories
VIII. IBIA Jurisdiction
A. General Authority
B. Limitations on Authority
C. Exclusive Proceeding Before IBIA
IX. The Rules
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