A $3.4 billion dollar settlement was approved in a class action lawsuit, called Cobell v. Salazar, that claimed individual Indian land, funds and other assets were mismanaged by the federal government. Cobell v. Salazar, a class action lawsuit about individual Indian land, funds and other assets held in trust by the federal government. Courts decided that the federal government has violated its trust duties, including a duty to account for Individual Indian Money trust funds. The Settlement will resolve claims that the government violated its trust duties by (a) mismanaging individual Indian trust funds and other assets, (b) improperly accounting for those funds, and (c) mismanaging trust land and other assets. The individual Indian trust land is called “allotted” land and owners are from time to time referred to as “beneficiaries,” “allottees,” or “landowners.”
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for a money award if you are an heir of one or more of the over 17,000 Individual Indian Money (IIM) account holders whose Cobell settlement awards were not distributed. You must submit a claim form with proof that you are an heir. Claims must be submitted by June 30, 2025.
Here’s what you need:
Heir eligibility proof includes any of the following:
· A state or tribal probate order identifying the estate heirs.
· Documentation showing the appointment of an estate Executor, Administrator, or Personal Representative.
· A last will and testament approved by a probate order.
· A small estate document from an approved state in accordance with small estate procedures.
· A federal probate order that directs distribution of trust funds or trust lands.
A copy of a tribal, or state, or federal probate order is needed to establish whether the Claims Administrator can pay the heir(s) directly for the estate's Settlement award.
If you do not have a tribal or state probate order but a personal representative or executor has been named for the estate, funds can be released to the representative or executor and they will be responsible for distributing the funds according to the wishes of the deceased Class Member.
You must act quickly. The deadline to file is June 30,2025.
Indian Trust Settlement
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration
P.O. Box 5324
New York, NY 10150-5324
After the deadline, all remaining funds will be distributed to the Cobell Scholarship Fund, which is managed by Indigenous Education, Inc.