The bill amends several sections of South Dakota law regarding notary public duties and bond requirements for personal representatives. Specifically, it updates the requirements for notaries by clarifying that they must take an oath and obtain an official seal before performing their duties, which must be filed with the Secretary of State. Additionally, it modifies the bond requirements for personal representatives, stating that a bond is not necessary unless the court determines it is in the best interests of the estate.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for determining bond amounts when required, including the need for personal representatives to provide an estimate of the estate's value and income. It allows for the bond amount to be reduced based on the value of assets held in financial institutions and grants the court the authority to adjust bond requirements as needed. Lastly, the bill repeals section 21-41-24, which may have previously addressed related bond requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2025: 18-1-2, 18-1-3, 29A-3-603, 29A-3-604, 21-41-24
Enrolled, 02/27/2025: 18-1-2, 18-1-3, 29A-3-603, 29A-3-604, 21-41-24