Free Tools and Information
for Buffalo County, SD Consumers

South Dakota Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• South Dakota PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Buffalo County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in South Dakota) for Buffalo County.
• How Probate Works in South Dakota: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Buffalo County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • South Dakota Probate Forms and the
    • South Dakota State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in South Dakota: Learn how to use South Dakota's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In South Dakota, you can use an Affidavit for estates worth less than $50,000, less liens and encumbrances for real property and $100,000 for personal property.

    S.D. Codified Laws Ann. 29A-3-1201 and following.

    You can use "informal probate" regardless of the size of the estate.

    S.D. Codified Laws Ann. 29A-3-301.

• South Dakota Estate Taxes:

  • South Dakota, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in South Dakota. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Buffalo County, South Dakota (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• South Dakota BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under South Dakota law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in South Dakota?:  

    • No. S.D. Codified Laws §§ 43-31-30, 43-45-13.

  • South Dakota Homestead Exemption

    • Real property to unlimited value or mobile home (larger than 240 sq. ft. at its base and registered in state at least 6 months before filing) to unlimited value; property cannot exceed 1 acre in town or 160 acres elsewhere; sale proceeds to $30,000 ($170,000 if over age 70 or widow or widower who hasn't remarried) exempt for 1 year after sale (husband & wife may not double)

  • South Dakota Vehicle Exemption

    • no specific exemption

• South Dakota BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Democracy In Buffalo County, SD 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Buffalo County, SD.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your South Dakota Voter Registration Status: https://vip.sdsos.gov/viplogin.aspx
• Gerrymandering in South Dakota: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

 

South Dakota Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in South Dakota: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $28 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $514 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In South Dakota, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in South Dakota.
  • South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Reemployment Assistance 
    • 605-626-2452
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• South Dakota Wage & Hour Law

  • South Dakota Minimum Wage:  

    • The minimum wage in South Dakota is $11.20 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in South Dakota must be paid at least $11.20 an hour. 

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in South Dakota and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in South Dakota. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in South Dakota.

    • In South Dakota, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $5.60 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $11.20 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Find a Lawyer in Buffalo County, SD

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • SD Law Help 

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Access to Justice for Consumers

LegalConsumer.com has been providing free tools and legal information to consumers since 2006.

Ordinary people should be empowered with information and tools to handle everyday legal affairs, such as inheriting property and handling debt problems. Consumers should have free or inexpensive tools to make these tasks as simple as possible.

 LegalConsumer.com makes everyday law accessible to non-lawyers and points consumers to the best websites and tools to complete everyday legal tasks.

To find out more, check out our "about" page.