59-2286. Institution of proceedings; notice, hearing, order and decree; time for appeal. (a) If a person who is a life tenant or joint tenant in real or personal property dies either testate or intestate, leaving no property or estate on which administration proceedings have been had or commenced, any of the remaindermen having an interest in the real or personal property subject to such life estate, any survivor of such joint tenancy or any person claiming any right, title or interest in such real or personal property by, through or under such remainderman or survivor may have the fact of the death of the life tenant or joint tenant and the fact of devolution of title to such real or personal property judicially determined by filing a petition in the district court of the county in which the real property or a part of it is situated, or of the county of the residence of the decedent, alleging the facts of such life estate or joint tenancy; describing such real or personal property; alleging the death of such life tenant or joint tenant as the case may be; and setting forth the names and addresses, if known, of all of the heirs of the decedent, if intestate, or of the decedent's heirs, devisees and legatees, if testate, and of all other persons known by the petitioner to claim any interest in the real or personal property. The petition shall be sworn to by the petitioner, the petitioner's agent or attorney.

(b) Upon the filing of such petition, the court shall enter an order fixing the date and hour for hearing it, which date shall be not less than 10 days from the date of entry of the order.

(c) Notice of hearing in all proceedings commenced pursuant to this section in which real property is to be assigned by the court 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 by K.S.A. 59-2208, and amendments thereto.

(d) Upon hearing of such petition, the court shall hear the evidence and proof of the death. The court shall enter an order and decree determining the following facts: (1) The death of the life tenant or joint tenant, as the case may be; (2) the termination of the life estate or joint tenancy in real or personal property, as the case may be; and (3) the fact of devolution of title to the real or personal property to the remaindermen having an interest in the real or personal property, or the survivor or survivors of such joint tenancy, as the case may be. Upon entry, the order or decree, unless appealed as provided by law within 30 days from the date issued, shall be conclusive of the facts therein found as to all purchasers, encumbrancers or lienors of such real or personal property acquiring their titles, encumbrances or liens in good faith, relying upon the decree.

History: L. 1951, ch. 346, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 351, § 1; L. 1976, ch. 242, § 43; L. 1985, ch. 191, § 43; L. 2000, ch. 76, § 6; L. 2010, ch. 44, § 24; July 1.