SB171 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 12-13-37 to authorize the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint a special judge of probate when a sitting judge of probate is suspended, absent, sick, incompetent, or otherwise disqualified from performing duties.

• Requires the judge of probate or chief clerk to certify the fact of incompetency, absence, suspension, sickness, or disqualification to the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

• Grants the special judge of probate full jurisdiction, authority, and duties equivalent to the sitting judge, with judgments and decrees having the same force and effect and subject to appeal.

• Excludes application of this section in cases of a vacancy in the probate judge office governed by Section 12-13-32.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.