Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB253: Felon/Letters Testamentary/Register of Wills
Status: Signed into law, September 24, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE LETTERS TESTAMENTARY OR OF ADMINISTRATION.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 12 of the delaware code relating to persons qualified to receive letters testamentary or of administration.
From the introduced text, December 18, 2025:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PERSONS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE LETTERS TESTAMENTARY OR OF ADMINISTRATION. Section 1. Amend Subchapter I, Chapter 15, Title 12 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows: § 1508. Persons not qualified to receive letters testamentary or of administration. Letters testamentary, or of administration, shall may not be granted to a minor, minor or to a person who is mentally incapacitated or to a person convicted of a crime disqualifying the person from taking an oath. incapacitated. Letters testamentary, or of administration, may not be granted to a person convicted of a crime disqualifying the person from taking an oath, unless an exception is granted by the Register of Wills. An exception may be granted by the Register of Wills if good cause is shown. In granting the exception, the Register may require the petitioner to retain an attorney admitted to practice before the Delaware Supreme Court for the entirety of the administration of the estate. SYNOPSIS This Act provides that a felon may receive letters testamentary, or of administration, when the Register of Wills permits it, in the Register's discretion, upon good cause shown.
Sponsors
- Eric Morrison (D, 27) · primary sponsor
- Bryan Townsend (D, 11)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Larry Lambert (D, 7)
- Mara Gorman (D, 23)
- Alonna Berry (D, 20)
- William Carson (D, 28)
- Krista Griffith (D, 12)
- Melanie Ross Levin (D, 10)
- Kerri Harris (D, 32)
- Raymond Seigfried (D, 5)
- Daniel Cruce (D, 1)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- : Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 7 On Its Merits
- : Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate
- : Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 1 NOT VOTING 4 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 2 Favorable, 9 On Its Merits
- : Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
Votes
- Passed (3/4) (June 24, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (March 19, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB253?
- HB253 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Felon/Letters Testamentary/Register of Wills.
- What does HB253 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 12 of the delaware code relating to persons qualified to receive letters testamentary or of administration.
- What is the status of HB253?
- Signed into law as of September 24, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (September 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB253?
- Eric Morrison (D, 27), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB253?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142728
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.