HB 1227 South Dakota House · 2025 Regular Session

provide that certain testamentary gifts given to a lawyer from a client are invalid.

This bill prohibits clients from making gifts or bequests to their attorneys through wills or other testamentary documents. The law directly affects individuals who might otherwise leave property to their lawyers and attorneys who could receive such gifts. Under this provision, any testamentary gift from a client to their own lawyer would be considered invalid and unenforceable. The measure aims to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring clients do not benefit financially from their legal representation through inheritance.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2025
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
0
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Judiciary Deferred to the 41st legislative day , Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
First read in House and referred to H.J. 198
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors