21-44-15. Clear and convincing proof required--Adjournment to secure additional evidence--Affidavits to establish death of life tenant.
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/sd/title-21/chapter-21-44/21-44-15·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Clear and convincing proof of the identity and death of the life tenant must be submitted. If the court is not satisfied with the proof offered at the hearing whether it be contested or not, the court may adjourn such hearing to a convenient future date, and require the petitioner at such adjourned hearing to produce a certified copy of the death certificate of the life tenant, if he died within a state where such certificates are a matter of public record, or in lieu thereof, the affidavits of two or more persons, that they knew the life tenant in his lifetime, and after his death saw his body.
If such affidavits are made outside South Dakota, they must be accompanied by a statement of an officer of the state or country where such affidavits are made, that he personally knows affiants, that they are persons having a good reputation for truth and veracity, and as law abiding citizens.