Printable Format59-2251. Decree of descent. Upon the filing of a petition for determination of descent, the court shall fix the time and place for the hearing on the petition. Notice of any such hearing upon which title to real estate is to be assigned shall be given pursuant to K.S.A. 59-2209, and amendments thereto. In all other cases, notice shall be given or waived as provided in K.S.A. 59-2208, and amendments thereto. Upon proof of the petition, the court shall allow it and enter the court's decree assigning the property to the persons entitled thereto at the time of the decedent's death pursuant to the law of intestate succession in effect on the date of the decedent's death or a valid settlement agreement.
History: L. 1939, ch. 180, § 227; L. 1941, ch. 284, § 12; L. 1978, ch. 221, § 1; L. 1985, ch. 191, § 41; L. 1987, ch. 212, § 4; L. 2000, ch. 76, § 5; L. 2010, ch. 44, § 23; July 1.
Law Review and Bar Journal References:
Cited in 1963-65 survey of law of administration of estates, Richard C. Harris, 14 K.L.R. 139, 147 (1965).
Discussed in survey of Kansas nonresident estate administration, Richard C. Harris, 17 K.L.R. 325, 326 (1969).
CASE ANNOTATIONS
1. Cited; widow required to promptly select and describe land claimed as homestead. Meech v. Grigsby, 153 Kan. 784, 789, 113 P.2d 1091.
2. Judicial estoppel by descent decree mentioned but not determined. Gantz v. Bondurant, 159 Kan. 389, 391, 393, 155 P.2d 450.
3. Probate court's jurisdiction over final settlement of estate not affected by proviso in K.S.A. 59-2250. Jardon v. Price, 163 Kan. 294, 298, 181 P.2d 469.
4. Nature and effect of descent decree stated and discussed. Zaloudek v. Zaloudek, 171 Kan. 72, 74, 75, 229 P.2d 727.
5. Partition based on subsequent family settlement descent decree not res judicata. McCrary v. McCrary, 179 Kan. 210, 211, 213, 293 P.2d 995.
6. Descent decree does not create title; merely declares who acquired decedent's title. Snedeger v. Schrader, 183 Kan. 725, 727, 332 P.2d 586.
7. Descent proceeding, purpose, jurisdiction; function of decree; cases reviewed. Carter v. Carter, 187 Kan. 74, 75, 76, 81, 353 P.2d 499.
8. Mentioned; duty of executor to petition for probate of will. In re Estate of Harper, 202 Kan. 150, 156, 164, 446 P.2d 738.