# Ala. Code § 36-12-21: Section 36-12-21 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Filing of Complaint; Issuance of Order to Person Refusing, Etc., to Deliver Papers, Etc., to Show Cause Why Delivery of Same Should Not Be Compelled

> Alabama · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-21

## Section

- **Citation:** Ala. Code § 36-12-21
- **Heading:** Section 36-12-21 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Filing of Complaint; Issuance of Order to Person Refusing, Etc., to Deliver Papers, Etc., to Show Cause Why Delivery of Same Should Not Be Compelled
- **Jurisdiction:** Alabama
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Alabama Code / Title 36 / Chapter 12 / Section 36-12-21

## Text

If any person refuses or neglects, after demand made, to deliver over any books, papers or property as required in Section 36-12-20, his successor may make complaint thereof to the judge of the circuit court or judge of the probate court of the county in which the person refusing resides; and, if such officer is satisfied by the oath of the plaintiff and such other evidence as may be offered that any such books, papers or property are withheld, he shall grant an order requiring the person so refusing to show cause before him, on a day and at a place named in such order, why he should not be compelled to deliver the same.

## Nearby sections

- [Ala. Code § 36-12-1 Section 36-12-1 Public Officer or Servant Defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-1.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-2 Section 36-12-2 Public Officers and Servants to Accurately Maintain and Preserve from Loss, Destruction, Etc., Complete Books, Papers, Files, Etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-2.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-3 Section 36-12-3 Permanence and Uniformity in Size, Style, Etc., of Books, Papers, Files, Etc., Required; Factors in Selection of Record Books, Writing Paper, Inks, Typewriter Ribbons, Etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-3.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-4 Section 36-12-4 Public Officers and Servants to Deliver Current Papers, Books, Etc., to Successors in Office](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-4.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-5 Section 36-12-5 Disposition of Books, Papers, Etc., When No Longer Current](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-5.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-20 Section 36-12-20 Papers, Property, Etc., to Be Delivered to Successor Upon Vacation of Office](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-20.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-21 Section 36-12-21 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Filing of Complaint; Issuance of Order to Person Refusing, Etc., to Deliver Papers, Etc., to Show Cause Why Delivery of Same Should Not Be Compelled](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-21.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-22 Section 36-12-22 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Hearing; Termination of Proceedings Against Person Charged with Withholding Papers, Property, Etc., Upon Making of Affidavit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-22.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-23 Section 36-12-23 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Imprisonment of Person Charged with Withholding Papers, Property, Etc., Upon Failure to Make Affidavit, Etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-23.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-24 Section 36-12-24 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Issuance of Warrant for Search and Seizure of Papers, Property, Etc., Upon Failure of Person Charged with Withholding Same to Make Affidavit, Etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-24.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-25 Section 36-12-25 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Generally - Examination of Papers, Property, Etc., Upon Seizure and Delivery Thereof to Complainant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-25.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-26 Section 36-12-26 Proceedings for Recovery of Papers, Property, Etc., by Successor to Office Upon Death of Incumbent, Etc](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-26.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-40 Section 36-12-40 Rights of Citizens to Inspect and Copy Public Writings; Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-40.md)
- [Ala. Code § 36-12-41 Section 36-12-41 Copies of Public Records to Be Provided Upon Request and Payment of Fees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-41.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AL_T36_C12_S36-12-21. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.