SB233 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Cam WardBen H. BrooksRoger Bedford, Jr.Bobby D. SingletonPhillip W. WilliamsBryan TaylorJerry L. Fielding

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Juvenile court, jurisdiction relating to adoption, visitation, custody, child support, and spousal support, retention of jurisdiction and concurrent jurisdiction in certain circumstances, Secs. 12-15-115, 12-15-117, 38-10-7 am'd.

Summary

SB233 broadens and clarifies the juvenile court's authority over adoptions moved from probate, paternity/maternity, custody and visitation, and Title IV-D support, while preserving power to enforce past orders.

What This Bill Does

It gives the juvenile court original jurisdiction over adoption cases that were transferred from probate court. It lets the juvenile court establish, modify, or enforce custody, visitation, or support when paternity or maternity has already been established, and it allows modification or enforcement of child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases. It also clarifies that the juvenile court generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify its prior orders, and that the court that determined parentage or established/enforced support retains the authority to enforce or modify those orders.

Who It Affects

• Parents, guardians, and children involved in adoptions moved from probate court, paternity/maternity actions, and cases affecting custody or visitation and support, who would fall under juvenile court jurisdiction for these matters.
• Judges and courts (juvenile, district, and circuit) and the state court that previously determined parentage or ordered support, who would retain or share enforcement and modification authority for those orders.

Key Provisions

• Adds juvenile court original jurisdiction over adoption proceedings transferred from probate court.
• Gives juvenile court authority to establish, modify, or enforce support, visitation, or custody where paternity or maternity has previously been established.
• Allows juvenile court to modify or enforce child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases.
• Provides that the juvenile court generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify prior orders issued by the court.
• Provides that a court of this state that determined parentage or established, modified, or enforced support generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify prior orders.
• Applies to cases filed on or after the act’s effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Court, Juvenile