Location
Post Office Box 23
Pago Pago , American Samoa 96799
We are the licensing body and the official bar association for all of those who practice law in American Samoa. The American Samoa Bar Association serves to promote justice, the rule of law, and the interests of the legal system. We do this through public education, legislative review, promoting the judiciary, and advocating the rule of law. We also offer a legal scholarship to a student that shows exemplary academics and a desire to promote the rule of law in American Samoa.
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Resources
Displaying 6 - 10 of 21Government Land Transactions – Estates and Fiduciary Relations (Chapter 20 of Title 40).
This Chapter makes provision for the expropriation of land in American Samoa by the Government for public purposes and for lease of public lands. Where possible, the Governor shall consult with the Legislature about proposed condemnation projects, and shall obtain the advice of the Legislature on all such projects. Compensation shall be paid. Land not used for the stated public purpose within five years of condemnation shall be returned to the owner.
Wills - Estates and Fiduciary Relations (Chapter 01 of Title 40).
This Chapter provides for the disposal of (real) property by will and execution of wills. It defines certain requirements regarding execution, rights of spouse of the deceased person and legal procedures. A surviving spouse may elect to take dower instead of property devised or bequeathed to such spouse.
Mortgage Foreclosures – Property (Chapter 11 of Title 37).
This Chapter provides for certain aspects of the enforcement of a mortgage. The High Court may assess the amount due upon a mortgage whether of real or personal property, and shall render judgment for the amount awarded, and the foreclosure of the mortgage. Execution may be issued on the judgment, as ordered by the court. All prior and subsequent mortgage creditors whose names are or can be discovered by the party foreclosing a mortgage, shall be made parties to the action.
Guardianship - Estates and Fiduciary Relations (Chapter 04 of Title 40)
This Chapter makes provision for guardianship in relationship with adminsitartion of estates of a minor or of a person who is for any cause mentally or physically incompetent to manage his own property. Guardianship proceedings shall be administered in the Trial Division of the High Court, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction over guardianships. Section 3 defines the qualifications of guardianship. Every guardian shall have power to sell the personal estate which has come into his hands, under such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Trial Division of the High Court.
Alienation of Land – Property (Chapter 02 of Title 37).
This Chapter provides in respect of certain matters relative to the sale, gift, exchange, or any other method of disposal of land. There is created a Land Commission which shall endeavour to prevent the monopolistic ownership of land and undesired alienations of communal lands by those charged with the management and control thereof. For this purpose the Commission shall make recommendations to the Governor respecting the approval or disapproval of instruments affecting the title, ownership or possession of land which require approval of the Governor pursuant to section 4.