(a) When a mistake has been made in the description of lands of a decedent sold in good faith under an order of the probate court, either in the petition, order or other proceedings, the court ordering the sale has authority, on the written application of the purchaser, or his heirs or personal representatives, or any person holding under him, verified by affidavit, to correct such mistake. The application must contain a correct description of the lands sold, and must state the facts, and the names, ages and places of residence of the personal representatives and heirs or devisees of such decedent, if known, and if there be no personal representative, that fact must be stated; and, upon the filing of such application, the court must appoint a day for the hearing, of which, and of the nature of the application, notice must be given, by personal service, to the personal representative of such decedent, and such of his heirs as are of age, and are of sound mind, if residents of the state at least 20 days before the day appointed for the hearing, and also by publication, once a week for three successive weeks, in some newspaper published in the county, or if none is published therein, in a newspaper published nearest to the courthouse thereof. If there is no personal representative of the estate of such decedent, the court must appoint an administrator ad litem to represent the estate in such proceeding; and the court must also appoint a guardian ad litem for such of the heirs or devisees as are under the age of 19 years, or are of unsound mind.

Ask a will, trust or estate question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified estate & trust lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 43-2-467

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Decedent: A deceased person.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Probate: Proving a will
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) If, upon the hearing, the court is satisfied from the evidence adduced, that the sale of such lands was made in good faith, and that a mistake was made in the description of the lands sold, as stated in the application, a decree must be made and entered, correcting the mistake. If the purchase money has been fully paid, and a deed executed, the court must order the personal representative, or, if there be none, the administrator ad litem, to execute to the party making the application a new deed, conveying to him the lands according to the description as corrected.