Estate settlement · AL
Probate in Alabama.
The basics most families need to know. Not legal advice — see the official sources at the bottom of this page, or call a Alabama estate attorney for the specifics of your situation.
Estates under $32,071
Alabama's Summary Distribution (Ala. Code §43-2-690) handles estates of $32,071 or less (the threshold is indexed annually). Wait 30 days after death. Filed with probate court.
6–12 months for full probate
Alabama offers informal/unsupervised probate, which is typically faster and less expensive when the will is clean and the heirs aren't in dispute.
Alabama does not require an attorney for probate, though most families with non-trivial estates use one. Average legal fees: $1,500–$5,000.
What makes Alabama different.
- Alabama has no state estate tax (repealed 2002) and no inheritance tax.
- Probate is heard by the elected Probate Judge in each county — Alabama is one of the few states with elected probate judges.
- The small-estate threshold is indexed for inflation each year, so it increases over time.
- Letters of administration are typically required even for very small estates with real property.
What the executor will file.
- Petition for Probate of WillOpens probate when there's a will.
- Petition for Summary DistributionSmall-estate path under the indexed threshold.
- Inventory of EstateFiled within 2 months of letters.
For the actual current rules.
State rules and thresholds change. These links go to the Alabama courts and bar association — the source of truth for current forms, fees, and procedures.
We have probate guides for the 10 most populous states. Pick another:
This page is general consumer guidance, not legal advice. For complex estates, contested wills, or jurisdiction-specific questions, talk to a licensed Alabama estate attorney.
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