A $11.11 billion dollar settlement was approved in a class action lawsuit, called Bright v. Mountain, that claimed individual land, funds and other assets were mismanaged by the government. Bright v. Mountain, a class action lawsuit about 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 funds and other assets, (b) improperly accounting  for those funds, and (c) mismanaging land and other assets. The individual 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 one or more of the over 11,111 Individual Money (IM) account holders whose settlement awards were not distributed. You must submit a claim form with proof that you are an heir. Claims must be submitted by December 25, 2025.

Here’s what you need:

Heir eligibility proof includes any of the following:

• A state probate order identifying the estate.

• Documentation showing the appointment of an estate Executor, Administrator, or Personal Representative.

• A last will and testament approved by a probate order.

• A estate document from an approved state in accordance with small estate procedures.

• A probate order that directs distribution of trust funds or trust lands.

A copy of a state, or federal probate order is needed to establish whether the Claims Administrator can pay the owners directly for the estate's Settlement award.

If you do not have a 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 family Class Member.  

Estate Affidavits can be located in the Affidavits section of this website.