ALABAMA

TITLE 26. INFANTS AND INCOMPETENTS

CHAPTER 13. RELIEF OF MINOR CHILDREN FROM DISABILITIES OF NONAGE

SECTION 26

Section 26-13. When authorized; procedure generally.

The several juvenile courts of the state are authorized to relieve minors over 18 years of age from the disabilities of nonage in the following cases and none other:

(1) Whenever the father or the mother of such minor shall file a petition with the court, in writing, requesting that such minor be relieved from the disabilities of nonage, and the court shall be satisfied that it is to the best interest of such minor. The parent filing such petition shall aver whether he is the guardian of such minor.

(2) Whenever any such minor, having no father, mother or guardian, or if a parent is living but is insane or has abandoned such minor for one year, shall file a petition with the court to be relieved of the disabilities of nonage, and the court shall be satisfied that it is to the interest of such minor.

(3) Whenever any such minor, having no father or mother, or if a parent is living but is insane or has abandoned such minor for one year, but having a guardian, shall file a petition with the juvenile court to be relieved from the disabilities and the guardian shall join in such petition and the court shall be satisfied that it is to the interest of such minor.

Section 26-13-2. Filing of petition.

The petition must be filed in the county in which the parent or guardian of such minor resides or in the county in which the guardianship of such minor is pending when the petition is filed by the parent or guardian and in the county where the minor resides when the petition is filed by a minor who has no parents or guardian or whose parents reside beyond the limits of the state and such minor resides in this state. In the event that the parent, guardian or minor filing such petition resides beyond the limits of the State of Alabama, then the petition may be filed in the county in which the guardianship of such minor is pending or in the county where the minor owns any real or personal property.

Section 26-13-3. Notice of filing of petition.

Whenever the petition is filed by the minor and the guardian it shall be the duty of the clerk to give notice of the filing of such petition in some newspaper published in the county or, if no newspaper is published in such county, then in such manner as may be prescribed by the judge. Such notice shall be given once a week for three successive weeks before the time of hearing such petition. Whenever the petition is filed under subdivision (1) of Section 26-13-1, a copy of the petition must be served on the minor by the sheriff if the minor resides in this state or, if a nonresident or absent from the state, by registered or certified mail.

Section 26-13-4. Contests of petition; receipt of evidence as to petition.

Upon the hearing of such petition, any person may contest the granting of same upon giving security for costs of such contest. All evidence touching such petition shall be taken in such manner as may be directed by the court.

Section 26-13-5. Entry of judgment relieving minor from disabilities of nonage and effect thereof generally.

If on the hearing of the evidence adduced and upon such other evidence as may be required by the court, the court shall be satisfied that it will be to the interest of such minor to be relieved from the disabilities of nonage, the court shall thereupon enter judgment accordingly, and such judgment shall have the effect of investing such minor with the right to sue and be sued, to contract, to buy, sell and convey real estate and generally to do and perform all acts which such minor could lawfully do if 19 years of age, except as provided in this chapter.

Section 26-13-6. Restriction of rights of minor by judgment of court.

The court, in its judgment, may, if it deems it advisable, restrict and qualify the rights of a minor relieved from the disabilities of nonage, as to acquittances to and contracts with guardians, executors, administrators, trustees and other persons indebted to such minor, to such an extent as to the court may seem proper in each particular case. Such restrictions shall be fully set forth in the judgment relieving such minor from the disabilities of nonage.

Section 26-13-7. Filing of copy of judgment with probate court; recordation, etc., of judgment by probate judge.

Every minor relieved of the disabilities of nonage under the provisions of this chapter must file a certified copy of the judgment relieving him from such disabilities in the office of the judge of probate in each of the counties in which such minor shall thereafter reside and in the office of the judge of probate of each county in the state where such minor shall do any business or make any contracts. It shall be the duty of the judge of probate to record the judgment and keep the same for the inspection of the public.

Section 26-13-8. Recordation of foreign judgments relieving minors of disabilities of nonage and effect thereof.

A copy of a judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction of another state of the United States, duly certified according to the acts of Congress of the United States, relieving a minor nonresident of this state of the disabilities of nonage may be recorded in the probate office of any county in this state where such minor owns property, and when so recorded the said judgment shall have the same force and effect throughout this state as in the state where entered.