Senate Advances Sweeping Probate Reform Bill Despite Concerns Over Replacing Existing Law

A sweeping overhaul of the Virgin Islands' probate laws advanced through the Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Thursday, despite objections from a Virgin Islands Bar Association committee that questioned whether replacing the existing code would resolve the longstanding delays affecting families attempting to settle estates and transfer inherited property. Bill No. 36-0277, an 181-page measure sponsored by Senator Novelle Francis Jr., would establish a comprehensive probate code governing inheritance with and without a will, administration of deceased persons' estates, and related court procedures. The legislation comes as the territory continues to contend with a backlog of approximately 801 probate cases, according to figures reported at the close of fiscal year 2025. Mr. Francis described the legislation as the “culmination of years of deliberate work to modernise our laws and protect the interests of heirs, property owners, and future generations.” He acknowledged that the pro...