§ 782. Payment to heirs or legatees

(a) Laws governing

If a person entitled to a payment authorized by sections 781 to 785 of this title is deceased, such payment shall be made to his heirs or legatees determined in accordance with the laws, relating to the distribution of personal property, of the Creek Nation if the decedent died before January 1, 1898, or of the State of Arkansas in effect at the time of death if the decedent died before November 16, 1907, or of the State of Oklahoma in effect at the time of death if the decedent died on or after November 16, 1907. For the purposes of this section the decedent shall be regarded as an owner in possession of the payment at the time of his death.

(b) Proof of death and heirship or bequest

Before a payment authorized by sections 781 to 785 of this title is made to an heir or legatee of a deceased person, proof of death and heirship or bequest satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior shall be submitted to him, and his findings with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive. Where satisfactory proof of death and heirship or bequest is already available to the Secretary, no additional submission shall be required.

(Aug. 1, 1955, ch. 444, § 3, 69 Stat. 432.)