(a) Before the probate case is submitted to OHA, you may request an amount of no more than $5,000 from the decedent's IIM account if:

(1) You are responsible for making the funeral arrangements on behalf of the family of a decedent who has an IIM account;

(2) You have not received sufficient funds from the decedent's Tribe to pay the entire cost of the funeral arrangements; and

(3) You have an immediate need to pay for funeral arrangements before burial.

(b) You must apply for funds under paragraph (a) of this section and submit to us an original itemized estimate of the cost of the service to be rendered and the identification of the service provider.

(c) In response to a request submitted under paragraph (a) of this section, we may approve, without the need for an order from OHA, costs of no more than $5,000 from the date of death IIM account balance that are reasonable and necessary for the burial services, taking into consideration:

(1) The availability of non-trust funds, including availability of any Tribal contribution; and

(2) Any other relevant factors.

If a decedent owed you money, you may make a claim against the estate of the decedent.

(a) You may submit your claim to us before we transfer the probate file to OHA or you may file your claim with OHA after the probate file has been transferred if you comply with 43 CFR 30.140 through 30.148.

(b) If we receive your claim after the probate file has been transmitted to OHA but before the order is issued, we will promptly transmit your claim to OHA.

You must file your claim before the conclusion of the first hearing by OHA or, for cases designated as summary probate proceedings, as allowed under 43 CFR 30.140. Claims not timely filed will be barred.

(a) You must include an itemized statement of the claim, including copies of any supporting documents such as signed notes, account records, billing records, and journal entries. The itemized statement must also include:

(1) The date and amount of the original debt;

(2) The dates, amounts, and identity of the payor for any payments made;

(3) The dates, amounts, product or service, and identity of any person making charges on the account;

(4) The balance remaining on the debt on the date of the decedent's death; and

(5) Any evidence that the decedent disputed the amount of the claim.

(b) You must submit an affidavit that verifies the balance due and states whether:

(1) Parties other than the decedent are responsible for any portion of the debt alleged;

(2) Any known or claimed offsets to the alleged debt exist;

(3) The creditor or anyone on behalf of the creditor has filed a claim or sought reimbursement against the decedent's non-trust or non-restricted property in any other judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, and the status of such action; and

(4) The creditor or anyone on behalf of the creditor has filed a claim or sought reimbursement against the decedent's trust or restricted property in any other judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, and the status of such action.

(c) A secured creditor must first exhaust the security before a claim against trust personalty for any deficiency will be allowed. You must submit a verified or certified copy of any judgment or other documents that establish the amount of the deficiency after exhaustion of the security.