About the Probate Hearings Division

Use the following link to view notices of probate hearings that are currently scheduled:

The Probate Hearings Division (PHD) serves as the Department's administrative trial court for Indian probate cases.  PHD judges conduct formal hearings in most cases, and issue decisions or orders that direct the distribution of trust or restricted property in decedents’ estates.  Some PHD orders may be appealed to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals.

PHD judges, attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants are located throughout the five field locations listed below.  PHD is currently headed by a Chief Administrative Law Judge.

Key Personnel

  • Mary P. Thorstenson, Chief Administrative Law Judge
  • Roderick Ventura, Supervisory Indian Probate Judge
  • Daniel Vis, Supervisory Indian Probate Judge
  • Courtney Allensworth Esposito, Supervisory Indian Probate Judge
  • Christine Kelly, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist
  • David Armstrong, Indian Probate Judge
  • Leah Harjo-Ware, Indian Probate Judge
  • Albert C. Jones, Indian Probate Judge
  • Paul M. Kienzle III, Indian Probate Judge
  • Thomas K. Pfister, Indian Probate Judge

Field Locations

Sacramento, California
Probate Hearings Division 
Office of Hearings and Appeals
U.S. Department of the Interior
801 I Street, Room 130
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-498-6600 (voice)
916-498-6409 (facsimile)

Bloomington, Minnesota
Probate Hearings Division 
Office of Hearings and Appeals
U.S. Department of the Interior
5600 W. American Blvd., Suite 540
Bloomington, MN 55437-1446
612-725-1849 (voice)
612-725-1855 (facsimile)

Billings, Montana
Probate Hearings Division  
Office of Hearings and Appeals 
U.S. Department of the Interior 
2900 4th Avenue North, Suite 301
Billings, MT 59101 
(406) 657-6960 (voice) 
(406) 259-7889 (facsimile)

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Probate Hearings Division 
Office of Hearings and Appeals
U.S. Department of the Interior
1011 Indian School Road, NW, Room 322
Albuquerque, NM  87104
505-563-5330 (voice)
505-563-5341(facsimile)

Rapid City, South Dakota
Probate Hearings Division 
Office of Hearings and Appeals
U.S. Department of the Interior
405 E. Omaha Street, Suite A 
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-342-2070 (voice)
605-342-9511 (facsimile)

Resources

 

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