The general index to probate records shall contain an alphabetical list of all estate matters brought before the court, the file number of the estate, the name of each estate administered upon, or guardianship or other probate matter presented to the court for its determination, the number and page of the fee book in which the costs are taxed in each matter, and the book and page in the probate record where all such matters are recorded, sufficiently definite to enable the finding of such proceedings from the general index.
§ 25-2726.General index; contents.
Article 27: County Court Rules of Procedure and Probate Practice · Last amended 1972 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires the general index to probate records to alphabetically list every estate, guardianship, or other probate matter, along with its file number and enough detail — including the fee book and probate record locations — to let someone find the underlying proceeding.
Full Text of § 25-2726
Source
G.S.1873, c. 14, § 33, p. 270; Laws 1909, c. 41, § 1, p. 228; R.S.1913, § 1233; C.S.1922, § 1156; C.S.1929, § 27-535; R.S.1943, § 24-538; Laws 1972, LB 1032, § 57; R.S.1943, (1985), § 24-557.
Plain-English Summary
Finding a specific probate matter years after it closed depends on the general index, and section 25-2726 sets the standard for what that index must contain. It requires an alphabetical list of all estate matters brought before the court, along with the file number of each estate.
The index has to name each estate administered, or each guardianship or other probate matter presented to the court, and then point the reader to where the details live: the number and page of the fee book where costs for that matter are taxed, and the book and page in the probate record where the matter is recorded. The section’s own standard for how precise this cross-referencing has to be is telling — it must be sufficiently definite to enable the finding of such proceedings from the general index alone. An index that lists a name but leaves someone unable to locate the actual file falls short of what this section requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the general index have to include for each probate matter?
An alphabetical listing, the file number of the estate, the name of the estate, guardianship, or other probate matter, and the location of the related fee book and probate record entries.
Is the general index organized alphabetically or by file number?
Alphabetically, by the name of each estate matter, though the file number is also included as part of each entry.
How precise does the cross-referencing to the fee book and probate record have to be?
The section requires it to be sufficiently definite to enable the finding of such proceedings from the general index — vague or incomplete references would not meet that standard.
What kinds of matters does the general index cover?
Estate matters generally, including estates administered upon, guardianships, and other probate matters presented to the court for determination.
How is the general index different from the will index described elsewhere in this article?
The general index covers all estate, guardianship, and probate matters broadly, while section 25-2727 covers a narrower index limited to wills deposited with the county judge for safekeeping.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: general index probate records nebraskafinding old probate casealphabetical estate index county courtprobate file number lookupindex to estate guardianship matters