Interior launches digital probate system for Native trust estates
New online platform allows families to track probate cases and submit documents electronically
The U.S. Department of the Interior has launched the Electronic Probate System, a digital platform designed to modernize probate services for American Indian and Alaska Native families, according to an Interior Department announcement. The system allows beneficiaries to report a death, upload documents, provide family history information and track the status of probate cases through a secure online family portal. Bureau of Indian Affairs probate staff will use a companion specialist portal to manage case reviews and prepare files for the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
The Electronic Probate System replaces paper-based processing with a fully electronic workflow intended to improve efficiency, transparency and customer service while reducing delays, according to the Interior Department. The department said the system standardizes probate case management, reduces administrative tasks for staff and maintains human oversight throughout the decision-making process as part of its broader effort to modernize trust services for tribal communities.
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