Free Alabama Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Alabama: petition the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled and request Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27.

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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.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

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*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Alabama Probate Petitions

In Alabama, you file a petition with Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled to open probate. Judge of probate issues Letters Testamentary (with a will) or Letters of Administration (no will) once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Alabama.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Alabama.

No. Alabama has no statewide fillable petition form, so the petition is drafted to the contents required by Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled.

Alabama requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. Ala. Code § 43-2-851

Alabama offers probate e-filing. AlaFile (efile.alacourt.gov) is the statewide e-filing system but is centered on circuit/district courts; because each county probate court is a separate elected office, probate e-filing availability varies by county and many still accept paper. Pro se filers are permitted — AlaFile offers "Pro Se Individual" and "Pro Se Business" account types.

Along with the petition, Alabama typically requires: Sworn; Original will and any codicils; Certified copy of the death certificate; Bond, unless waived by an express provision in the will; Renunciation / waiver by persons with prior or equal right to serve, where applicable.

Opening Probate in Alabama

Before anyone can act for a Alabama estate, Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are the court's output — you can't fill them out. The document you file is the petition for probate and for Letters (Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27).

Alabama has no statewide fillable petition form, so the petition is drafted to the contents the statute requires (Ala. Code §§ 43-2-20 to 43-2-27). This tool assembles those required allegations and the verification into a petition you can review, sign, and file with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Alabama requires a bond before Letters issue unless it is waived by the will. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.