Title 8, Family Law & Probate

Marriages Between Citizens. Marriage contracts between parties, both of whom are citizens of the Trust Territory, solemnized in accordance with recognized customs, shall be valid, a notice of the marriage, showing the names and addresses of the persons married, their ages and the…

Rules and Regulations. [Repealed.] Source: PL 5-20, § 12; repealed by PL 12-19, § 3. Comment: With respect to the former reference to the “director” of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, see Executive Order 94-3 (effective August 23, 1994), reorganizing the executi…

Application. Except as otherwise provided in this law, this law applies to: (a) The affairs and estates of decedents and missing persons domiciled in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; (b) The property of nonresidents located in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mar…

Jurisdiction. (a) To the full extent permitted by the Northern Mariana Islands Constitution and the Schedule on Transitional Matters, the Commonwealth Trial Court shall have jurisdiction over all subject matter relating to estates of decedents, including construction of wills and…

Rules of Practice. Unless specifically provided to the contrary in this law, or unless inconsistent with its provisions, the Rules of Probate Procedure of the Commonwealth Trial Court shall govern notice and pleadings and all proceedings under this law. The court may amend the ru…

Records and Certified Copies. The clerk of court of the Commonwealth Trial Court shall keep a record for each decedent involved in any document which may be filed with the court, including petitions and applications, demands for notices or bonds, and of any orders or responses re…

Appeals. Appellate review of orders, final decisions, or judgments of probate matters shall be governed by the laws and rules applicable to the appeals to the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, or such other appellate forum as may be provided by law. Source: PL 3-10…

Appealable Orders. An appeal may be taken from an order granting or revoking letters testamentary or of administration; admitting a will to probate or revoking the probate of a will; setting aside an estate claimed not to exceed $1,500 in value; setting apart property as a homest…

Oath or Affirmation on Filed Documents. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, or by rule, every pleading which is required to be filed with the court under this law, including applications, petitions, and demands for notice, shall be deemed to include an oath, affirma…