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Alabama follows the "reasonable compensation" standard for trusteesAla. Code § 19-3B-708Verified Jun 10, 2026. Courts decide what's reasonable on a case-by-case basis, looking at trust size, complexity, and the trustee's actual work. Family-member trustees often waive the fee entirely. Professional trustees (banks, trust companies, attorneys) typically charge between 0.5% and 1.5% of trust assets per year, with corporate fiduciaries usually applying minimum annual fees. The Alabama trustee compensation calculator breaks it down by trust situation.
Trust administration in Alabama is typically faster than probate because trusts don't require court supervision. The main floor is the creditor claim period — 6 months in Alabama — during which the trustee can't safely make final distributions. Simple trusts often wrap up in 6-9 months; trusts that hold business interests, real property in multiple states, or that need to file estate tax returns can take longer. See the Alabama trustee checklist for the full process.
Estate planning attorneys in Alabama average $278 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $834–$1,668 for a simple individual will and $3,840–$5,760 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
Alabama allows estates under $47,000 to use a simplified Summary Distribution procedure, which is a form rather than a court case and typically doesn't require an attorney. For larger estates, formal probate is involved enough that retaining counsel is usually practical — the procedural work is what they're there for. Use the Alabama probate calculator to estimate the costs.
In Alabama, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships; ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 4,004 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
55 firms
Montgomery firm handling probate and estate administration for area families, including validation of wills, will contests, and estate planning documents. Serves Montgomery and Prattville.
Location
505 North McDonough StreetMontgomery, AL 36104
Phone
(334) 262-2345
Established
1997
Major regional law firm with a dedicated estate planning and trusts practice. Handles estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, litigation, and special needs planning.
Location
445 Dexter Avenue, Suite 8000Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone
(334) 834-6500
Service Area
6 counties
Birmingham probate lawyer helps individuals and families manage the estate administration process with care and efficiency.
Location
3125 Blue Lake Drive, Suite 101Birmingham, AL 35243
Phone
(205) 539-0238
Established
2013
Service Area
1 county
Three-generation family law firm serving Phenix City and the Lee-Russell area. Nearly 70 years of combined legal experience in estate planning, probate, elder law, and guardianship/conservatorship matters.
Location
1214 7th AvenuePhenix City, AL 36867
Phone
(334) 297-6534
Service Area
2 counties
Auburn-based estate planning practice focused on wills, trusts, business succession planning, and estate administration.
Location
1859 Ogletree RoadAuburn, AL 36830
Phone
(334) 246-5855
Established
2020
Service Area
2 counties
Dothan law firm providing estate planning, will drafting, trusts, probate of wills, and powers of attorney services to Southeast Alabama families.
Location
661 West Main StreetDothan, AL 36301
Phone
(334) 366-6086
Service Area
1 county
Established Montgomery firm with a comprehensive estate planning practice. Eight attorneys hold advanced taxation degrees. One member is a fellow in The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Location
150 South Perry StreetMontgomery, AL 36104
Phone
(334) 241-8000
Established
1947
Service Area
6 counties
Vestavia Hills solo practice serving Jefferson and Shelby counties and the greater Birmingham area. Handles estate administration, probate, wills, and trusts. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
2081 Columbiana Road, Suite 3Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Phone
(205) 913-4057
Estate planning, wills and trusts, probate, and mediation services serving Enterprise and Coffee County. Virtual consultations available.
Location
210 E. Grubbs Street, #3Enterprise, AL 36330
Phone
(334) 417-0399
Service Area
1 county
Wills, trusts, estates, and probate administration serving the Tri-County Area. Over 20 collective years of experience.
Location
707 McQueen Smith Road SouthPrattville, AL 36066
Phone
(334) 365-6266
Service Area
4 counties