Bill > HB528

This bill, a recommendation from the Boyd-Graves Conference, aims to streamline the process for approving compromises in "death by wrongful act" claims, which are legal actions brought when someone dies due to another party's negligence. Specifically, it allows a court to approve a proposed settlement of such a claim without a formal hearing if all parties involved, including any beneficiaries and their appointed guardians ad litem (attorneys appointed by the court to represent minors or incapacitated individuals), agree to and sign an order approving the compromise. However, for any beneficiary's signature on this approval order to be valid, it must be notarized, unless the signature is provided by an attorney who is acting as a guardian ad litem for that beneficiary.