Cobell Indian Trust $38M Settlement for IIM Account Heirs

Heirs of deceased Indian Institutes of Management account holders who did not receive their Cobell settlement award may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

The United States government agreed to pay $38 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging mismanagement of individual Indian trust funds, land and other assets. This settlement provides compensation to eligible heirs of more than 17,000 deceased Indian Institutes of Management account holders who did not previously receive settlement awards.

Who can claim a Cobell settlement payout?

Class members must be an heir of a deceased Indian Institutes of Management account holder or an individual who owned restricted or trust lands and is listed as a class member in the Department of the Interior’s data.

How much are the heir payments?

The amount each eligible heir can receive depends on the share of the deceased class member’s settlement award and the estate’s distribution as determined by probate or small estate documentation.

After the claims period ends, any remaining funds will be given to the Cobell Scholarship Fund, supporting Indigenous education.

How to claim an Indian Institutes of Management award

Class members can submit an online claim form or download, print, complete and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is June 30, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Indian Trust Settlement c/o Kroll Settlement Administration, P.O. Box 5324 New York, NY 10150-5324

Required proof and documentation

Claimants must provide documentation to prove their status as an heir. Acceptable proof includes:

• State or tribal probate order identifying estate heirs
• Appointment of executor, administrator or personal representative
• Last will and testament approved by a probate order
• Small estate document from an approved state:
• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

• Federal probate order directing distribution of trust funds or lands

Important dates

• Claim deadline: June 30, 2025

When is the Cobell Indian Trust settlement payout date?

Payments will be made after the claims administrator reviews and approves submitted claims.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit claimed the United States government mismanaged individual Indian trust funds, land and other assets. The plaintiffs claimed the government failed to properly account for and distribute funds held in trust for Native Americans, violating its fiduciary duties.

The parties agreed to settle to resolve these longstanding claims and provide compensation to affected individuals and their heirs.

Sources

1. Settlement Website FAQ
2. Claim Form