15-08-16.1. Patents to public lands issued to a person who died before date of patent - Effect

15-08-16.1. Patents to public lands issued to a person who died before date of patent - Effect. When patents for public lands have been or may be issued, in pursuance of any law of this state, to a person who has died before the date of such patent, the title of the land designated therein inures to and vests in the heirs, devisees, or assignees of such deceased patentees as if the patent had been issued to the deceased person during life.