Alabama Code 43-2-517. Appointment and compensation of special guardian
Terms Used In Alabama Code 43-2-517
- Decedent: A deceased person.
- Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
- 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.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Legatee: A beneficiary of a decedent
- Probate: Proving a will
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
The jurisdiction of the probate court to make partial or final settlements or distributions of the estates of decedents is not affected by the fact that the executor or administrator making the settlement is also guardian of any heir or distributee, devisee or legatee of the decedent; but in such case the court must appoint a special guardian, without bond, to represent such heir or distributee, devisee or legatee on the settlement and distribution; and, upon final settlement, any decree to which such ward may be entitled must be rendered against the executor or administrator in the name of the special guardian for the use of the ward; and thereafter the executor or administrator, in the capacity of guardian, shall be accountable for such decree. The special guardian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for his services and for the services of counsel properly employed to be allowed by the court and to be paid by such general guardian out of the estate of the ward.