SB240 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bryan Taylor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

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

SB240 expands and clarifies the juvenile court's authority to handle adoptions moved from probate court and to establish, modify, or enforce support, custody, and visitation in paternity and Title IV-D cases, while preserving the ability to enforce existing orders.

What This Bill Does

It gives the juvenile court original jurisdiction over adoptions that have been transferred from probate court. It authorizes the juvenile court to establish, modify, or enforce support, visitation, or custody in cases where paternity has previously been established, and to modify or enforce child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases. The act also requires the juvenile court to retain jurisdiction to enforce or modify its prior orders, and it clarifies that a court that determined parentage or established or enforced support generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify those orders.

Who It Affects

• Adoptive parents and biological/other parties involved in adoptions that are moved from probate court to the juvenile court.
• Parents and guardians involved in paternity, custody/visitation, and support matters, especially those under Title IV-D, whose orders may be established, modified, or enforced by the juvenile court.

Key Provisions

• Adds juvenile court original jurisdiction over adoptions moved from probate court.
• Allows juvenile court to establish, modify, or enforce support, visitation, or custody when paternity/maternity has been previously established.
• Allows juvenile court to modify or enforce child and spousal support in Title IV-D cases.
• Requires juvenile court to retain jurisdiction to enforce or modify its prior orders in cases within its jurisdiction.
• Provides that a court which determined parentage or established, modified, or enforced support generally retains jurisdiction to enforce or modify those orders.
• Applies to cases filed on or after the act’s effective date; act becomes effective immediately upon passage.

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