The Terminally Ill Move to Front of the Line for Court Matters

Court proceedings can drag on, which is a problem for older people and the terminally ill who want to get their affairs in order before it’s too late.

After an advocacy campaign by AARP Virgin Islands,  lawmakers passed a measure that gives older adults and the terminally ill preference in civil actions, reducing the length of court proceedings. 

The median time to dispose of civil cases in the United States is more than eight months. Many cases take two and a half years to reach trial. The new law will make the process speedier for aging and terminally ill residents. 

Another law will create an online database so that users can find accurate legal documents and information.