§375a Jurisdiction of Secretary of the Interior over probate and distribution of estates not exceeding $2,500

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior has the sole power to decide who inherits and to handle the probate of a deceased restricted Indian (enrolled or not) of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma when the estate is only money or securities held by the Department of the Interior and the total value is $2,500 or less. He must give notice and hold a hearing under rules he sets. If the person died before December 24, 1942, the money and any tribal funds are distributed under the law that applied when they died. If the person died after December 24, 1942, those funds are distributed under the State of Oklahoma’s statute of descent and distribution.