Document: 485 U.S. 478 108 S.Ct. 1340 99 L.Ed.2d 565 TULSA PROFESSIONAL COLLECTION SERVICES, INC., Appellantv.JoAnne POPE, Executrix of the Estate H. Everett Pope, Jr., Deceased. No. 86-1961. Argued March 2, 1988. Decided April 19, Syllabus Under nonclaim provision Oklahoma's Probate Code, creditors' claims against an estate are generally barred unless they presented to executor or executrix within two months publication notice commencement probate proceedings. Appellee published required in compliance with terms statute and a court order, but appellant, assignee hospital's claim for expenses connected decedent's final illness, failed file timely claim. For this reason, denied appellant's application payment, both State Court Appeals Supreme affirmed, rejecting contention that, failing require more than notice, violated due process. That was based upon Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 306, 70 652, 94 L.Ed. 865, which held that state action adversely affects property interests must be accompanied by such as is reasonable under particular circumstances, balancing State's interest process individuals, Mennonite Board Missions Adams, 462 791, 103 2706, 77 180, requires actual affected party whose name address "reasonably ascertainable." Held: If identity creditor known ascertainable" appellee (a fact cannot determined from present record), Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment, interpreted Mennonite, appellant given mail other means certain ensure notice. Appellant's properly considered protected Clause. Moreover, not simply self-executing limitations. Texaco, Inc. Short, 454 516, 102 781, 738, distinguished. Rather, court's intimate involvement throughout proceedings particularly activation statute's time bar appointment executrix—is so pervasive substantial it action. Nor can there any doubt may "adversely affect" interests, since untimely completely extinguished. On balance, satisfying substantial, practical need setting cumbersome impracticable unduly burden undeniably legitimate expeditious resolution proceedings, service (which already routinely provided at several points process) inexpensive, efficient, reasonably calculated provide will suffice creditors identities ascertainable diligent efforts merely conjectural. Pp. 484-491. 733 P.2d 396 (Okl.1986), reversed remanded. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion Court, BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, STEVENS, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, concurred result. REHNQUIST, C.J., filed dissenting opinion, post, p. 484—491. Randall E. Rose, Tulsa, Okl., appellant. Phillip K. Smith, appellee. Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 This case involves laws requiring "arising contract" advising Okla.Stat., Tit. 58, § 333 (1981). The question whether solely satisfies 2 * Code specified period, bars claims. Ibid. Such "nonclaim statutes" almost universally included codes. See Uniform 3-801, 8 U.L.A. 351 (1983); Falender, Notice Creditors Proceedings: What Due?, 63 N.C.L.Rev. 659, 667-668 (1985). Giving limited serves facilitating administration closing estates. See, e.g., ex rel. Griffin Memorial Hospital Reed, 493 815, 818 (Okla.1972). Nonclaim statutes come basic forms. Some relatively short six months, begins run after Others call longer one five years, runs death. supra, 664-672. Most States include types their codes, typically providing if commenced shorter period therefore never triggered, then nonetheless period. Ark.Code Ann. §§ 28-50-101(a), (d) (1987) (three commenced; years not); Idaho 15-3-803(a)(1), (2) (1979) (four months; three years); Mo.Rev.Stat. 473.360(1), (3) (1986) (six years). also notified requirement imposed publication. 660, n. 7 (collecting statutes). Indeed, most jurisdictions triggers statute. example, provides have four (1983). also, Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. 14-3801 (1975); Fla.Stat. 733.701 (1987); Utah 75-3-801 (1978). 3 specific issue case, (1981), only best context Oklahoma whole. interested initiate petitioning proved. 22. set hearing date on petition, 25, "to all heirs, legatees devisees, places residence," 26. no person appears contest will, admit testimony subscribing witnesses will. 30. After admitted probate, order executrix, issuing letters testamentary named appears, competent qualified, objections made. 101. 4 Immediately appointment, "give deceased." 331. Proof court. 332. advise first As method publication: "[S]uch some newspaper [the] county once each week consecutive weeks." A creditor's failure 2-month forever. 333. does exceptions, however. out State, "may before decree distribution entered." Mortgages debts yet excepted limit. 5 type Code. Delays dealt through independent, running death, see, Ark. 28-50-101(d) (1987), shortening started. Section 331 decedent has been dead month similar one-month applies intestate. II 6 St. John Medical Center, hospital Oklahoma, November 1978. 1979, while still hospital, he died testate. His wife, JoAnne initiated District Tulsa County accordance statutory scheme outlined above. entered hearing. Record 8. admitting and, following designation id., estate. Id., 12. Letters were issued, 13, ordered fulfill her obligation directing she "immediately give creditors." 14. Daily Legal News weeks beginning July 17, 1979. advised had 16. Appellant Professional Collection Services, Inc., subsidiary Center long stay hospital. Neither nor its parent company, In October 1983, however, Application Order Compelling Payment Expenses Last Illness. 28. making application, relied 594 indicates "must pay . last sickness." argued command made deadline filing unnecessary. rejected contention, ruling even pursuant fell general requirements Accordingly, application. App. 3. Court's reading 594's relationship affirmed Appeals. 7. sought rehearing, arguing provisions supplemental rehearing merits. 15. 9 next review Oklahoma. granted certiorari issues, Appeals' judgment. With respect federal issue, Busch Ferrell-Duncan Clinic, 700 S.W.2d 86, 88-89 (Mo.1985), reject our decisions 865 (1950), 180 (1983), (1987). reasoned function " 'make proceeding' 'notif[y] him become wishes.' 400 (quoting Busch, S.W.2d, 88). addition, distinguished because do directly adjudicate P.2d, 400-401. Finally, agreed limitations, "ac[t] cut off potential passage time," accordingly 401. Gibbs Dolan, 146 Ill.App.3d 203, 100 Ill.Dec. 61, 496 N.E.2d 1126 (rejecting challenge statute); Gano Farms, Kleweno, Kan.App.2d 506, 582 742 (1978) (same); Chalaby Driskell, 237 Or. 245, 390 632 (1964) William B. Tanner Co. Fessler, Wis.2d 437, 302 N.W.2d 414 (1981) New York Merchandise Stout, 43 Wash.2d 825, 264 863 (1953) (same). conclusion conflicted reached Nevada Continental Insurance Moseley, Nev. 337, 683 20 (1984), decision remanding reconsideration light supra. 463 1202, 3530, 1383 "more publication." Nev., 338, 21. We noted probable jurisdiction, 484 813, 62, 98 26 now reverse remand. III 10 U.S., 314, S.Ct., 657, established affecting notification action: "An elementary fundamental proceeding accorded finality calculated, apprise parties pendency afford them opportunity objections." adhered these principles, "interest State" "the individual Amendment." focus reasonableness itself clear, depends circumstances. 11 recent area involved sale real delinquent taxes. law tax sales circumstances 2-year during owner lienholder could redeem property. expiration redemption purchaser apply deed. received All 792-794, 2708-2709. mortgagee sold complained agreed, holding "actual minimum constitutional precondition affect liberty party, unlettered well versed commercial practice, 800, 2712 (emphasis original). Because drastically diminishe[d] value [the mortgagee's] interest," 798, 2711, identified efforts," 4, concluded 12 Applying principles hand leads unsecured claim, cause unpaid bill. Little remains intangible Amendment. we wrote Logan Zimmerman Brush 455 422, 428, 1148, 1154, 71 265 (1982), "was affirmatively settled itself, where species Amendment's Clause." Logan, Illinois' Fair Employment Practices Act interest, referred numerous previously recognized deserving protections. 429-431, nn. 4-5, 1154-1155, 4-5. therefore, interest. 13 Amendment protects deprivation Private use state-sanctioned private remedies procedures rise level Flagg Bros., Brooks, 436 149, 1729, 56 185 mere limitations sufficient implicate 738 (1982). 166, 1738. But when make overt, significant assistance officials, found. Lugar Edmondson Oil 457 922, 2744, 73 482 (1982); Sniadach Family Finance Corp., 395 89 1820, 23 349 (1969). here enough 14 argues not, contending Relying characterization, Appellee's Short correct—due plaintiffs impending limitations—but view, appellee's premise not. 15 It true possess attributes They deadline. Many upholding challenges features viewed 89; 16 "self-executing feature" makes inapposite. 533, 536, 794, 796. repose defendants avoiding stale role play beyond enactment While obviously action, falls constituting protections 17 Here, contrast, intimately throughout, without activated. becomes operative appoint bar, given. Only notice; directs publish "immediately" appointment. reinforced expressly form orders routine. copies affidavit actions take place run, every actions, involved. subject restrictions 18 Where legal themselves trigger those necessarily resolve merits, lacks feature indicated necessary remove problem. implicated required. Cf. 793-794, 2708-2709 (tax period); 433, 1156, 1158 (claim 120 days commenced); City York, N.H. H.R. 344 293, 294, 299, 300, 97 (bankruptcy filed). Our unnecessary consider argument somehow unconstitutionally short. Tr. Oral Arg. 22 (advocating least year). occasion proper characterization periods, ranging years. N.C.L.Rev., 667-669. sum, leaves little government 19 adverse effect too clear. entire purpose regulate timeliness forever claims, virtue statute, extinguished Thus, irrelevant seeks rather parties, participate terminates interests. merits did mortgagee's extinguish "diminishe[d] value" 2711. Yet sale. Memphis Light, Gas Water Div. Craft, 1, 1554, 30 (termination utility service); Schroeder 371 208, 83 279, 255 (1962) (condemnation proceeding); supra (Bankruptcy Code's "reasonable notice" claims). assessing propriety consideration should practicalities situation important 798-799, 2711-2712; Mullane, 313-314, 656-657. "[c]hance alone brings attention local resident advertisement small inserted back pages newspaper." 315, 658. Creditors, who strong maintaining integrity debtors, unlikely benefit class, aware debtor's death institution often be, here, beneficial diminish executor's executrix's inclination There thus setting. 21 At same time, Death transforms relationships conclude swift settlement estates calls very deadlines noted, uniform practice establish deadlines, 28-50-101(a) 15-3-803(a) (1979); 473.360(1) (1986); Providing creditors, inconsistent goals reflected statutes. Actual inefficient burdensome. repeatedly inexpensive efficient mechanism 799, 2712; Greene Lindsey, 456 444, 455, 1874, 1880, 72 249 319, 659. disavowed intent "impracticable extended searches process." 317-318, 658-659. uncover creditors. ascertainable," suffice. everyone conceivably entitled dispense "conjectural" 317, balance then, hinder dispatch conducted. "heirs, legatees, devisees" mailed initial Accord, 3-403, 274 few connection Calif. Prob. 9050, 9100 (West Supp.1988); Nev.Rev.Stat. 147.010, 155.010, 155.020 W.Va.Code 44-2-2, 44-2-4 believe adherence standard burdensome warrant reliance alone. analogous situations arguments pressing proceed expeditiously justifies less bankruptcy prompt United Savings Assn. Texas Timbers Inwood Forest Assoc., Ltd., 365, 375-376, 626, ----, 740 (1988), Marin England, 385 99, 87 274, 197 (1966); (1953). 318-319, 659 (trust proceedings). different kind result here. 24 Whether answered record. question. course husband endured clear awareness translates into knowledge remand further determine would uncovered termination IV 25 hold operates "[n]otice notice." 2712. judgment remanded opinion. ordered. 27 BLACKMUN concurs 28 Chief dissenting. 29 upheld Indiana severed mineral used lapsed reverted surface statement appropriate office. enacted contractual holds unconstitutional. Obviously great difference between 20-year limit rest distinction cases fact. Instead, premised absence "significant action" case. words Court: 31 "The 'immediately' appointment." Ante, 487. 32 Just why implications turn "activity" Surely point view claimant—for whom, all, designed benefit—the having his activated court-appointed executor, acquisition Indiana, difference. 33 neither lose quiet title brought courts lost suit applied contained Why "state latter former, mystery way elucidated factual differences out, showing "intimately involved" seem me trivial. 34 traditionally uncontested administrative, transfer assets someone successors. Before transfers, codes settle decedent, marshaled 479—480. Once paid, steps taken distribute remainder 35 Occasionally disputed estate, tried like civil suit. dispute over validity resultant contest. account administrator, heard decided large, typical proceeding—and instant seems followed pattern—is uncontested, shortens otherwise applicable 36 "intimate involvement" entirely administrative nature. 37 Would struck down lapse provided—as additional protection owners—that official owners operation statute? I find difficult thrust reasoning today direction. Virtually meaningless involvement, lack it, rights off, dispositive. 38 observes court-ordered judicial concludes, feature," term "self-executing" is, believe, contrary common sense. refers determination extinguishes claimant's rights. juxtaposition [Indiana] subsequent occur." 794. Certainly former latter, reason perfunctory greater protection. 39 law, deemed reach question, I.

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