Senate Bill 241 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Matt WoodsSenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Walker County; temporary probate judges, authorized

Summary

SB241 allows Walker County to appoint temporary probate judges to handle probate matters when needed.

What This Bill Does

Under SB241, the Walker County Judge of Probate can appoint one or more temporary probate judges from qualified local attorneys licensed to practice in Alabama to help with congested calendars or complex cases. Each appointment may last up to 90 days, and a person can serve successive 90-day terms but not exceed 200 days in a calendar year. Temporary judges have full probate authority and their decisions are filed in the court records and can be revised or appealed. They are paid $50 per hearing from the judge’s discretionary funds; if the temporary judge is already a probate court employee, they receive no extra pay; neither the elected judge nor the bond on the judge's behalf is responsible for the acts of temporary judges or court staff.

Who It Affects

• Walker County Judge of Probate – gains authority to appoint and oversee temporary probate judges to address congestion and complex cases
• Licensed attorneys in Walker County – may be eligible to serve as temporary probate judges
• Residents of Walker County with probate matters – could experience more flexible scheduling and potentially faster disposition of cases

Key Provisions

• Authorizes appointment of temporary probate judges by the Walker County Judge of Probate from qualified attorneys licensed to practice law in Alabama
• Temporary appointments limited to 90 days per term; may have successive 90-day terms; no individual may serve more than 200 days in a calendar year
• Temporary judges have jurisdiction and authority to perform the duties of the elected probate judge; their judgments, orders, and decrees are filed in the probate court records and subject to revision or appeal
• Neither the elected judge nor the bond on the judge's behalf is responsible for acts or failures of temporary judges or court employees during their tenure
• Compensation: temporary judges are paid $50 per hearing from the judge’s discretionary funds; if the temporary judge is already a probate court employee, they receive no additional pay
• Effective date: this act becomes effective June 1, 2026

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 17, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Walker County