Title 29A, UNIFORM PROBATE CODE

(a) Unless a contrary intention is indicated by the will, the distributable assets of a decedent's estate shall be distributed in kind to the extent possible through application of the following provisions: (1) A specific devisee is entitled to distribution of the thing devised, …

If distribution in kind is made, the personal representative shall execute an instrument or deed of distribution assigning, transferring, or releasing the assets to the distributee as evidence of the distributee's title to the property. Source: SL 1994, ch 232 , § 3-907.

Proof that a distributee has received an instrument or deed of distribution of assets in kind, or payment in distribution, from a personal representative, is conclusive evidence that the distributee has succeeded to the interest of the decedent and the estate in the distributed a…

Unless the distribution or payment no longer can be questioned because of adjudication, estoppel, or limitation, a distributee of property improperly distributed or paid, or a claimant who was improperly paid, is liable to return the property improperly received and its income si…

If property distributed in kind or a security interest therein is acquired for value by a purchaser from or lender to a distributee who has received an instrument or deed of distribution from the personal representative, or is so acquired by a purchaser from or lender to a transf…

When two or more heirs or devisees are entitled to distribution of undivided interests in any real or personal property of the estate, the personal representative or one or more of the heirs or devisees may petition the court prior to the formal or informal closing of the estate,…

Subject to the right of creditors and taxing authorities, competent successors may agree among themselves to alter the interests, shares, or amounts to which they are entitled under the will of the decedent, or under the laws of intestacy, in any way that they provide in a writte…

If an heir, devisee, or claimant cannot be found, the personal representative shall distribute the share of the missing person to the person's conservator, if any, otherwise the court shall enter an order directing that the share vest in the State of South Dakota for the support …

(a) A personal representative may discharge an obligation to distribute the share of a person for whom a conservator has been appointed only by distributing to the conservator. If the personal representative is aware that a proceeding for appointment of a conservator is pending, …

(a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Estate" means the gross estate of a decedent as determined for the purpose of federal estate tax and the estate tax payable to this state; (2) "Persons" means any individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, corporation, govern…

In this chapter: (1) "Local administration" means administration by a personal representative appointed in this state pursuant to appointment proceedings described in chapter 29A-3 ; (2) "Local personal representative" includes any personal representative appointed in this state …

At any time after the expiration of sixty days from the death of a nonresident decedent, any person indebted to the estate of the nonresident decedent or having possession or control of personal property, or of an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in actio…

Payment or delivery made in good faith on the basis of the proof of authority and affidavit releases the debtor or person having possession of the personal property or of the instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action to the same extent as if payment or d…

Payment or delivery under § 29A-4-201 may not be made if a resident creditor of the nonresident decedent has notified the debtor of the nonresident decedent or the person having possession of the personal property or of the instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chos…

If no local administration or application or petition therefor is pending in this state, a domiciliary foreign personal representative may file with a court in this state in a county in which property belonging to the decedent is located, certified copies of the appointment and o…

A domiciliary foreign personal representative, who has complied with § 29A-4-204 , may exercise as to assets in this state all powers of a local personal representative and may maintain actions and proceedings in this state subject to any conditions imposed upon nonresident parti…

The power of a domiciliary foreign personal representative under § 29A-4-201 or 29A-4-205 shall be exercised only if there is no administration or application therefor pending in this state. An application or petition for local administration of the estate terminates the power of…

In respect to a nonresident decedent, the provisions of chapter 29A-3 govern (1) proceedings, if any, in a court of this state for probate of the will, appointment, removal, supervision, and discharge of the local personal representative, and any other order concerning the estate…

A foreign personal representative submits personally to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state in any proceeding relating to the estate by (1) filing certified copies of the appointment as provided in § 29A-4-204 , (2) receiving payment of money or taking delivery of person…

In addition to jurisdiction conferred by § 29A-4-301 , a foreign personal representative is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state to the same extent that the decedent was subject to jurisdiction immediately prior to death. Source: SL 1994, ch 232 , § 4-302.

Notice shall be given to a foreign personal representative in the manner prescribed by § 29A-1-401 . Source: SL 1994, ch 232 , § 4-303.

An adjudication rendered in any jurisdiction in favor of or against any personal representative of the estate is as binding on the local personal representative as if he were a party to the adjudication. Source: SL 1994, ch 232 , § 4-401.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the South Dakota Guardianship and Conservatorship Act. Source: SL 1993, ch 213 , § 1; SDCL 30-36-1 ; SL 1995, ch 167 , § 181.

Terms used in this chapter mean: (1) "Absentee," any individual who has disappeared, who has been forcibly detained either illegally or by a foreign power, or who is otherwise located in a foreign country and is unable to return; (2) "Conservator," one appointed by the court to b…

This chapter applies to all guardianships and conservatorships in this state, including guardianships created prior to July 1, 1993. Unless otherwise modified or terminated, all guardianships created prior to July 1, 1993, shall remain in full force and effect and all guardians s…

Chapter 15-6 , known as "Rules of Procedure in Circuit Court," apply to all proceedings under this chapter, except as otherwise provided. Source: SL 1993, ch 213 , § 4; SDCL 30-36-4; SL 1995, ch 167 , § 181.

Custody of a child may be sought by a person other than the parent under this chapter and the substantive law of this state. A person other than the parent may not use this chapter to seek custody if a proceeding is pending pursuant to chapter 25-3 , 25-4 , 25-5A , 25-6 , 25-8 , …

It is the express legislative intent that §§ 29A-5-106 and 29A-5-106.1 , together with chapter 25-5 dealing with custody disputes between a parent and a person other than the parent, apply to all pending and subsequent guardianship matters involving a custody dispute between a pa…

A petition for the appointment of a guardian or conservator shall be filed in the county in which the minor either resides or is present or, if the minor has been admitted to a facility pursuant to an order of court, in the county in which that court is located. If the minor neit…

Following the appointment of a guardian or conservator, the court with jurisdiction over the proceeding may order the transfer of jurisdiction to another county in this state or to another state if it appears to the court by reason of the residence or location of the minor, the l…

Any adult individual may be appointed as a guardian, a conservator, or both, if capable of providing an active and suitable program of guardianship or conservatorship for the minor or protected person, and if not employed by any public or private agency, entity, or facility that …

The appointment of a guardian or conservator does not become effective nor may letters of guardianship or conservatorship issue until the guardian or conservator has filed an acceptance of office and any required bond. The court may not require the filing of a bond by a guardian …

In case of a breach of any condition on a guardian's or conservator's bond, an action may be maintained by any interested person for the use and benefit of the minor, the protected person, or the estate. However, no action may be maintained against the sureties on a bond unless s…

A guardian or conservator who is or who later becomes a nonresident of this state shall file with the clerk of courts in the county in which the proceeding is pending a designation of an agent residing in this state to accept service of process. Such filing shall be made promptly…

A guardian, conservator or like fiduciary appointed in another state may be appointed as a guardian or conservator in this state upon presentation of a petition therefor, proof of appointment, and a certified copy of such portion of the court record in the other state as the cour…

Any individual or entity indebted to a minor or protected person or having possession of a minor's or protected person's personal property, whether tangible or intangible, including an instrument evidencing a debt, stock, or right of action, may pay or deliver it to a conservator…

Any guardian, conservator, attorney for any guardian or conservator and the attorney for the minor or person alleged to need protection, and any other individuals appointed by the court in connection with a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding, are entitled to reasonable co…

Nothing in this chapter precludes the appointment of an attorney, guardian ad litem, or court representative if the court determines that such an appointment is necessary. Source: SL 1993, ch 213 , § 17; SDCL 30-36-17; SL 1995, ch 167 , § 181.

The appointment of a guardian or conservator of a protected person does not constitute a general finding of legal incompetence unless the court so orders, and the protected person shall otherwise retain all rights which have not been granted to the guardian or conservator, with t…

The State Bar of South Dakota shall prepare and approve training curricula for persons appointed as guardians and conservators. The training curricula shall include: (1) The rights of minors and protected persons under this chapter and under the laws of the United States generall…

A guardian or conservator of a minor may be appointed upon petition, the filing of a statement of financial resources, and after notice and hearing as provided in this section and §§ 29A-5-202 to 29A-5-210 , inclusive. Upon an appointment, the guardianship or conservatorship stat…

A minor, age fourteen or older, may nominate any individual or entity to act as his guardian or conservator. The nomination may be made in writing or by an oral request to the court. The court may appoint the individual or entity so nominated if the nominee is otherwise eligible …

A petition for the appointment of a guardian, a conservator, or both, may be filed by the minor, by an interested relative, by the individual or facility that is responsible for or has assumed responsibility for the minor's care or custody, by the individual or entity that the mi…

Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall issue a notice fixing the date, hour and location for a hearing to take place within sixty days. At least fourteen days prior to the hearing, the minor, if age ten or older, shall be personally served with a copy of the notice and …

The court may appoint an attorney for the minor, either upon the filing of the petition or at any time thereafter, if it concludes that an appointment is necessary to protect the minor's interests, and the court may appoint a court representative to make such investigations as th…

Prior to the hearing on the petition, the petitioner shall file a statement of the financial resources of the minor which shall, to the extent known, list the approximate value of the real and personal estate and the anticipated annual gross income and other receipts. Source: SL …