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SB241 • 2026

Walker County; temporary probate judges, authorized

Walker County; temporary probate judges, authorized

Elections
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Woods
Last action
2026-03-31
Official status
Enacted
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details about the responsibilities or limitations of temporary judges beyond what is stated.

Walker County; Allowing Temporary Probate Judges

This law allows the Walker County Judge of Probate to appoint temporary judges from qualified lawyers in certain circumstances.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Walker County Judge of Probate to appoint one or more temporary judges when necessary due to calendar congestion, complexity of issues, long trials, or caseload management.
  • Limits each temporary judge's term to no more than 90 days but allows for multiple terms up to a total of 200 days per year.
  • Gives temporary judges the same powers and responsibilities as the regular judge, including making decisions that can be appealed or revised.
  • Requires temporary judges to be paid $50 per hearing from the Judge of Probate's discretionary funds.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Walker County Judge of Probate
  • Qualified lawyers in Walker County who are licensed to practice law
  • People involved in probate cases in Walker County

Terms To Know

Probate Court
A court that deals with the affairs and assets of people who have died, including wills and estates.
Qualified Electors
People who are eligible to vote in elections.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law only applies to Walker County.
  • It does not specify what happens if a temporary judge makes a mistake or fails to act properly during their term.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enacted

  2. 2026-03-17 House

    Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 925 (Yeas 12, Nays 0)

  3. 2026-03-17 House

    Third Reading in Second House (Yeas 52, Nays 0)

  4. 2026-03-17 Senate

    Delivered to Governor

  5. 2026-03-17 House

    Signature Requested

  6. 2026-03-17 Senate

    Enrolled

  7. 2026-03-17 Senate

    Ready to Enroll

  8. 2026-02-17 House

    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

  9. 2026-02-17 House

    Reported Out of Committee Second House

  10. 2026-02-12 Senate

    Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 379 (Yeas 29, Nays 0)

  11. 2026-02-12 Senate

    Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 29, Nays 0)

  12. 2026-02-12 House

    Pending Committee Action in Second House

  13. 2026-02-12 House

    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation

  14. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

  15. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

  16. 2026-02-03 Senate

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  17. 2026-02-03 Senate

    Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Local Legislation

Official Summary Text

Walker County; temporary probate judges, authorized

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SB241 ENROLLED
Page 0
SB241
W1JTX95-2
By Senator Woods (N & P)
RFD: Local Legislation
First Read: 03-Feb-26
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SB241 Enrolled
Page 1
First Read: 03-Feb-26
Enrolled, An Act,
Relating to Walker County; to authorize the appointment
of temporary judges of probate in certain circumstances; and
to provide for compensation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) The Judge of Probate of Walker County
may appoint, from the qualified electors of Walker County
licensed to practice law in this state, one or more temporary
judges of probate to serve contemporaneously with him or her
when the elected judge of probate finds that the temporary
appointments are necessary due to calendar congestion,
complexity of issues, the prospects of an unduly long trial,
or caseload management.
(b) No temporary appointment may be for a term longer
than 90 days.
(c) A temporary judge of probate may be appointed for
as many successive 90-day appointments as the elected judge of
probate deems necessary, but no individual may serve for more
than 200 days during any calendar year.
(d) All temporary judges of probate shall have the
jurisdiction and authority and shall discharge the duties of
the elected judge of probate, and the judgments, orders, and
decrees made or rendered by any temporary judge of probate
shall be entered on the records of the probate court and shall
have the force and effect and be subject to revision, appeal,
or other revisory remedy of judgments, orders, and decrees of
the probate court or the elected judge of probate.
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SB241 Enrolled
Page 2
the probate court or the elected judge of probate.
(e) Neither the elected judge of probate nor the surety
on his or her bond shall be responsible for any of the acts,
failures to act, reports, or decisions made by any temporary
judge of probate, or any of the acts or failures to act of any
employee in the probate court during the tenure of a temporary
judge of probate.
(f) A temporary judge of probate shall be paid fifty
dollars ($50) per hearing paid from the discretionary funds of
the judge of probate. If the temporary judge of probate is an
employee of the probate court, the employee shall not receive
any additional compensation.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on June 1,
2026.
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SB241 Enrolled
Page 3
2026.
________________________________________________
President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Representatives
SB241
Senate 12-Feb-26
I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and passed
the Senate.
Patrick Harris,
Secretary.
House of Representatives
Passed: 17-Mar-26
By: Senator Woods
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