Free Alabama Petition for Probate

In Alabama, the petition asks the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.

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You & the Will

Alabama has no statewide fillable form; we draft the petition from Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

Email Address*

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No. Alabama has no statewide fillable petition form. The petition is drafted to the contents the appointment statute requires and filed with the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

The petition. Letters are issued, never filled out: Judge of probate issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) after the court grants the petition. The petition asks the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled to admit the will where there is one and to appoint you, and it states who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth.

Beside the petition, the Alabama packet carries: Sworn (verified) petition for letters / for probate of will, stating the decedent, domicile, date of death, heirs/devisees, and the estimated value of the estate; Original will and any codicils (testate estates), to be admitted to probate before letters testamentary issue.

Alabama's court filing fee is $45, paid to the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled when the petition is filed. Publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. The Alabama probate cost calculator sets the fee beside attorney and executor fees.

The Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it. Alabama requires a bond before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. Judge of probate then issues the Letters. With Letters in hand the representative opens the estate account, gives creditor notice and collects the assets; the Alabama estate settlement plan carries each step in order.

Opening Probate in Alabama

Before anyone can act for an Alabama estate, the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are an output of that appointment, never a form the representative completes; the document filed is the petition for probate and for Letters, and the Judge of probate issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) after the court grants it.

Alabama has no statewide fillable petition form, so the petition is drafted to the contents the appointment statute requires: who died, when and where, whether there is a will, who the heirs or beneficiaries are, and what the estate is worth, with the verification. Signed, it is filed with the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled. E-filing is open to self-represented filers.

The petition is filed with the supporting documents the court requires. In Alabama the packet carries: Sworn (verified) petition for letters / for probate of will, stating the decedent, domicile, date of death, heirs/devisees, and the estimated value of the estate; Original will and any codicils (testate estates), to be admitted to probate before letters testamentary issue.

The court filing fee is $45, paid to the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled when the petition is filed; publication, certified copies and any bond premium are charged separately. A bond is required before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. The Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled reviews the petition and, where it is in order, grants it; the Judge of probate then issues the Letters.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(1); Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(2)
Ala. Code § 43-2-851
Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27 (letters testamentary); §§ 43-2-40 to 43-2-48 (letters of administration); § 43-2-851 (bond)
Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20, 43-2-40 (letters granted by the probate court; Alabama has no registrar/informal-appointment track)

Data sourced from Alabama statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Free Alabama Petition for Probate

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Opening Probate in Alabama

Free Alabama Petition for Probate

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Free Alabama Petition for Probate

You & the Will