Husband-and-wife firm with offices in Scottsboro and Birmingham, working in the Jackson, Jefferson and Shelby County probate courts. Guides personal representatives through probate and successor trustees through trust administration, alongside estate planning, special needs trusts, guardianships and conservatorships.
Probate in Jefferson County
Probate Court Record
Jefferson County Probate Court
Jefferson County
Phone
Hours
Office
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
How to file probate in Jefferson County →
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Jefferson County? →Settling an estate in Jefferson County →
Trust Administration Firms Serving Jefferson County
Greensboro Avenue practice a short walk from the Tuscaloosa County Probate Court, taking estates in Tuscaloosa County and across Alabama. Luke Barry handles probate from petition to closing, trust and estate administration with accountings and estate tax returns, and will contests and trust disputes. Flat fees are quoted before work starts.
Daphne firm on U.S. Highway 98 representing executors, beneficiaries and family members in probate, guardianship and conservatorship matters across Baldwin and Mobile counties. It handles will contests and disputes over executor conduct, accountings and creditor claims, along with trust administration. Consultations are held in Daphne or by Zoom.
Orange Beach estate planning and probate firm with Foley, Spanish Fort and Fairhope offices in Baldwin County. Helps executors and personal representatives probate a will, administer intestate estates, use summary distribution for a small estate, open an estate bank account, pay debts and taxes, and handle ancillary probate. Also handles trust administration, guardianship and Medicaid planning.
All 9 Alabama trust administration firms serving Jefferson County →
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Alabama
Free Alabama forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Alabama.
Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Pour-Over Will
In Alabama, a pour-over will is signed before 2Ala. Code § 43-8-131Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Alabama
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Alabama: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Alabama.
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Alabama happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeAla. Code § 19-3B-101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysAla. Code §§ 19-3B-813, 19-3B-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Alabama, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Ala. Code § 19-3B-708Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Alabama: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysAla. Code §§ 43-2-835, 43-2-836Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsAla. Code §§ 43-2-60, 43-2-61, 43-2-350, 43-2-354, 43-2-371Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 12 months.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Alabama requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Ala. Code § 40-18-5Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Alabama take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesAla. Code § 40-18-5 (graduated 2%/4%/5% individual income tax) — ADOR rate FAQVerified Sep 15, 2026View source.
