South Dakota Codified Laws 29A-3-1201. Collection of personal property by affidavit
(a) Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the tangible personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action to a person claiming to be the successor of the decedent upon being presented an affidavit made by or on behalf of the successor stating that:
(1) The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $100,000;
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 29A-3-1201
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Decedent: A deceased person.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Person: includes natural persons, partnerships, associations, cooperative corporations, limited liability companies, and corporations. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Personal property: includes money, goods, chattels, things in action, and evidences of debt. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
- Personal property: All property that is not real property.
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See South Dakota Codified Laws 2-14-2
(2) Thirty days have elapsed since the death of the decedent;
(3) No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction;
(4) The decedent has not incurred any indebtedness to the Department of Social Services for medical assistance for nursing home or other medical institutional care; and
(5) The claiming successor is entitled to payment or delivery of the property.
(b) A transfer agent of any security shall change the registered ownership on the books of a corporation from the decedent to the successor or successors upon the presentation of an affidavit as provided in subsection (a).
Source: SL 1994, ch 232, § 3-1201; SL 1995, ch 167, § 136; SL 1997, ch 172, § 1; SL 2002, ch 100, § 26; SL 2003, ch 157, § 1; SL 2022, ch 88, § 1.