Section 12-13-1

Jurisdiction generally; validity and presumptions to be accordedto judgments, orders, etc., of probate courts.

(a) The probate court shall have original and general jurisdiction as to all matters mentioned in this section and shall have original and general jurisdiction as to all other matters which may be conferred upon them by statute, unless the statute so conferring jurisdiction expressly makes the jurisdiction special or limited.

(b) The probate court shall have original and general jurisdiction over the following matters:

(1) The probate of wills.

(2) The granting of letters testamentary and of administration and the repeal or revocation of the same.

(3) All controversies in relation to the right of executorship or of administration.

(4) The settlement of accounts of executors and administrators.

(5) The sale and disposition of the real and personal property belonging to and the distribution of intestate's estates.

(6) The appointment and removal of guardians for minors and persons of unsound mind.

(7) All controversies as to the right of guardianship and the settlement of guardians' accounts.

(8) The allotment of dower in land in the cases provided by law.

(9) The partition of lands within their counties.

(10) The change of the name of any person residing in their county, upon his filing a declaration in writing, signed by him, stating the name by which he is known and the name to which he wishes it to be changed.

(11) Such other cases as jurisdiction is or may be given to such courts by law in all cases to be exercised in the manner prescribed by law.

(c) All orders, judgments and decrees of probate courts shall be accorded the same validity and presumptions which are accorded to judgments and orders of other courts of general jurisdiction.

(Code 1852, §670; Code 1867, §790; Code 1876, §693; Code 1886, §787; Code 1896, §3363; Code 1907, §5419; Code 1923, §9579; Code 1940, T. 13, §278.)