Opinion ID: 1641443
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appellate Jurisdiction over Probate Court Orders

Text: In Alabama, circuit courts have a general superintendence over the probate courts. Ala.Code 1975, § 12-11-30(4). Encompassed in this superintendence is the power to review certain judgments and orders of the probate court, either through direct appeal or by petition for an extraordinary writ. See Helms v. McCollum, 447 So.2d 687 (Ala.1984). Sections 12-22-2 and 12-22-20, Ala.Code 1975, authorize appeals from final judgments of a probate court to either the circuit court or the Supreme Court. This Court has held that an order appointing one petitioner as guardian of an infant and denying the petition of another was a final judgment or order of the court of probate and therefore would support an appeal under the predecessor of § 12-22-21. Loftin v. Carden, 203 Ala. 405, 83 So. 174 (1919). Roger Franks's situation is similar to that of an infantthe evidence indicates he is unable to care for himself, needs constant supervision, and is unable to handle his own affairs. Steve Franks is his conservator. Steve Franks was appointed administrator, instead of Danny Borden, for the purpose of bringing this wrongful death action. Therefore, the order of the probate court appointing Steve Franks was appealable to the circuit court. An appeal from any probate judgment or order removing an executor or administrator must be taken within seven days of the issuance of the judgment or order. Ala.Code 1975, § 12-22-21(3). Borden was the administrator of the estate, and had the authority to file a wrongful death claim, until Steve Franks was appointed administrator ad litem for the purpose of bringing a wrongful death action. If, after the appointment of Steve Franks, Borden had wished to challenge the appointment, he should have appealed within seven days. He did not do so, and any appeal now would be too late. The appellate jurisdiction of the circuit court can also be invoked by a petition for an extraordinary writ. Ala. Const. of 1901, amend. 328, § 6.04(b). Orders as to which no statute grants appellate jurisdiction are reviewed on petitions for writ of certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition. Town of Flat Creek v. Alabama By-Products Corp., 245 Ala. 528, 17 So.2d 771 (1944). Borden has not challenged the appointment of Steve Franks by petition for an extraordinary writ, nor could any writ be issued, because the appointment of Steve Franks is within § 12-22-21(3), Ala Code 1975, which grants the circuit court appellate jurisdiction over this particular order of the probate court. By not filing a direct appeal from the probate court's order, Borden forfeited his right to challenge that order.