---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 C.F.R. § 15.11"
title: "25"
number: "15.11"
heading: "What are the basic steps of the probate process?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/25/15.11"
---

# §15.11. What are the basic steps of the probate process?


The basic steps of the probate process are:

- (a) We learn about a person's death (see [subpart B](/cfr/25/subpartB.md) for details);
- (b) We prepare a probate file that includes documents sent to the agency (see [subpart C](/cfr/25/subpartC.md) for details);
- (c) We refer the completed probate file to OHA for assignment to a judge or ADM (see [subpart D](/cfr/25/subpartD.md) for details); and
- (d) The judge or ADM decides how to distribute any trust or restricted land and/or trust personalty, and we make the distribution (see [subpart D](/cfr/25/subpartD.md) for details).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 25 U.S.C. 2, 9, 372-74, 410, 2201 et seq.; 44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.

### Source

Source: 73 FR 67278, Nov. 13, 2008, unless otherwise noted.