Whenever the title to any real or personal property, situate in this state, shall fail through defect of heirs and escheat to the state, the state may thereupon maintain any action, suit, or proceeding necessary to recover the possession of any such property, or for the enforcement or protection of its rights thereto, or on account thereof, and may sue with like effect as a natural person. Such action, suit, or proceeding shall be prosecuted by the attorney general or by the state’s attorney of the county wherein the property or some part thereof is situated.

Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 21-36-1

  • Escheat: Reversion of real or personal property to the state when 1) a person dies without leaving a will and has no heirs, or 2) when the property (such as a bank account) has been inactive for a certain period of time. Source: OCC
  • Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
  • Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2

Source: SL 1909, ch 104, § 1; RC 1919, § 3049; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.4201.