If a member of the veterans' home dies leaving property of the value of three thousand dollars or less, the administrator immediately shall take charge of the property. If within forty-five days of the date of death a valid claim of any heir or devisee is not made for the property and an application or petition has not been filed for issuance of letters of administration, the administrator shall convert the property into cash without probate or other proceedings and make payment first toward reasonable funeral expenses and second toward reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent. If any cash remains, the administrator shall deposit the cash with the state treasurer who shall credit it to the veterans' home operating fund. The administrator shall make a report of the administrator's action to the administrative committee on veterans' affairs and the governor. The report must be audited by, and included in the records of, the committee.
37-15-17. Intestate members leaving estates valued in excess of three thousand dollars - Administrator to administer estate. If a member of the veterans' home dies leaving property in excess of three thousand dollars in value not disposed of by will, the administrator is entitled to letters of administration for the estate. The administrator shall apply to the proper court for letters of administration, qualify as administrator, and distribute and dispose of the estate. If a valid claim is not made to the estate by the heirs or the next of kin of the deceased member for a period of one year after the granting of letters of administration, the residue of the estate must be deposited with the state treasurer for the benefit of the veterans' home operating fund.
37-15-18. Administrator of estate - Bond not required - Fees - Allowance of fees by district court. Upon becoming administrator of any estate under section 37-15-17, the administrator of the veterans' home is not required to give bond and may not charge or receive any compensation for the administrator's services as administrator of the estate. The district court serving the county where the administration proceedings are conducted may not allow any charge or fee in connection with the administration proceedings other than the actual disbursements of the administrator.