HB66 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark GidleyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Abuse and exploitation of an elder, effect of conviction on intestate succession, wills, joint assets, and other contractual obligations provided

Summary

HB66 would deny inheritance and other benefits to elders' abusers and treat those abusers as if they had predeceased the elder in wills, intestate succession, joint assets, and certain contracts.

What This Bill Does

If someone is convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation, they cannot receive benefits from the elder's will or intestate succession. The abuser's interest in joint property with the elder would be severed, and the elder's assets would pass as if the abuser had predeceased. Beneficiaries of contracts like life insurance or bonds who abuse the elder would not receive benefits, and those benefits would be paid as if the abuser had predeceased. The bill also defines elder abuse and allows courts to determine intent by conviction or, if no conviction exists, by a preponderance of the evidence, and it becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Abusers convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation would lose eligibility for any benefits from the elder's will or intestate succession, and would have their interests in joint assets severed.
• Surviving spouses, heirs, devisees, joint tenants, and other beneficiaries or co-owners of the elder's property and contracts would be affected because benefits and rights could be denied or altered as if the abuser had predeceased.

Key Provisions

• Disqualifies an abuser from receiving benefits under the will or intestate succession; the estate passes as if the killer or abuser had predeceased the decedent.
• Any joint tenant who abuses or kills another joint tenant severs their survivorship rights; the decedent's share passes to others as if the killer had predeceased.
• Named beneficiaries of bonds, life insurance, or other contracts who abuse or kill the principal are not entitled to benefits; payments are made as if the killer had predeceased.
• Other acquisitions by the killer or abuser are treated according to the same principles in this section.
• Defines elder abuse and financial exploitation (first/second degree) and states that a final conviction is conclusive; allows a court to use a preponderance of evidence if no conviction exists.
• Protects rights of persons who purchased property from the killer before adjudication; the killer remains liable for value or proceeds; insurers, banks, and others are not liable unless they received written notice of a claim before payment.
• Effective date of October 1, 2025.

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

Subjects

Elderly & Disabled Persons