§375a Jurisdiction of Secretary of the Interior Over Probate and Distribution of Estates Not Exceeding $2,500

Summary

Gives the Secretary of the Interior sole authority to decide who the heirs are, after notice and a hearing under rules the Secretary makes, and to settle the estate of a deceased restricted Indian (enrolled or not) of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma when the estate only has funds or securities held by the Department of the Interior and totals $2,500 or less. If the person died before December 24, 1942, the money must be distributed under the inheritance law that applied on the date of death. If the person died after December 24, 1942, the money must be distributed under Oklahoma’s statute of descent and distribution.