HB132 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Donna GivensRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Baldwin County, constitutional amendment requiring the probate judge to be a licensed attorney and expanding the probate judge's jurisdiction
Summary: HB132 would require Baldwin County's Judge of Probate to be a licensed Alabama attorney and would grant that judge circuit-like equity authority in certain probate cases.
What This Bill Does
It would require the Baldwin County Judge of Probate to be an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama. It would authorize the Baldwin County Probate Judge to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court in cases originally filed in the Baldwin County Probate Court, if the judge is Alabama-licensed. Those cases would have the power and authority of a circuit court judge and would be treated like circuit court cases, with the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure applying unless otherwise provided by law. The amendment becomes effective upon ratification and the election or appointment of a probate judge after ratification and is self-executing, with possible implementing laws needed.

Who It Affects
Residents of Baldwin County with probate matters: their cases could be handled with equity powers similar to circuit court proceedings in certain situations.
Candidates for Baldwin County Judge of Probate: must be licensed attorneys in Alabama to hold the office.

Key Provisions
Requires the Baldwin County Judge of Probate to be an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama.
Authorizes the Baldwin County Judge of Probate to exercise equity jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court in cases originally filed in the Baldwin County Probate Court, if the judge is Alabama-licensed.
Cases under this authority would be treated as circuit court cases and governed by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise provided by law.
Effective upon ratification and the election or appointment of a probate judge, and the amendment is self-executing with potential implementing legislation.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Baldwin County