What to Do After a Death in Jefferson County, Alabama
The first weeks after losing someone involve time-sensitive tasks. Here's what to prioritize and what can wait.
If you've been named executor of an estate in Jefferson County, several tasks need attention right away. Before you contact the Probate Court about probate, focus on protecting assets and getting certified death certificates.
Death certificates are typically the first requirement—banks, insurance companies, and the Probate Court all require certified copies. You can often find ordering information through Jefferson County vital records, though many families order extra copies during the initial filing to avoid delays later.
1. Order Death Certificates
Calculate the number of death certificates you'll need for banks, courts, and insurers:
2. Estate Settlement Checklist
Track your progress through the probate process:
Once appointed as personal representative, Alabama law requires filing an inventory of estate assets with the Probate Court within 60 daysAla. Code §§ 43-2-310, 43-2-312Verified Apr 14, 2026. The inventory includes identifying and valuing all property owned at the time of death—real estate, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, and personal belongings.
Alabama requires publishing a notice to creditors in a local newspaper. Creditors then have 6 monthsAla. Code § 43-2-350Verified Apr 14, 2026 to file claims against the estate.
Start by securing the deceased's property—collect mail, lock up valuables, and document everything. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death and stop benefit payments before overpayments create a debt the estate must repay.
Notify the deceased's banks and credit card issuers as soon as possible to freeze accounts and stop any recurring charges or unauthorized activity.
When you're ready to start the probate process, contact the Probate Court at 205-325-5426 to confirm what documents you'll need. You can file in person or by mail—families handling probate themselves don't need to use e-filing.
File any life insurance claims promptly with known carriers—these proceeds may be needed for estate settlement expenses or will transfer directly to named beneficiaries outside of probate.
Many families handling estates through the Probate Court choose to hire an attorney, particularly when Probate Judge, Place 1 (Presiding) Hon. Yashiba Glenn Blanchard must rule on complex asset valuations or resolve disputes among beneficiaries.
Expect attorney fees of 2%Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court determines reasonable)Verified Apr 14, 2026 to 4%Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court determines reasonable)Verified Apr 14, 2026 of estate value in Alabama. For simple estates without disputes, many Birmingham firms offer flat-fee alternatives.
If the estate is large enough to trigger tax filing requirements, involves unusual assets, or creates potential liability for the executor, professional guidance can prevent costly mistakes.
Legal Sources
- Ala. Code § 43-2-350
- Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court determines reasonable)
- Ala. Code §§ 43-2-310, 43-2-312
Data sourced from Alabama statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before anything court-related, handle three things: get the doctor or coroner to sign the death certificate, secure the home and any valuables, and locate the will. Only then does probate planning make sense.
Plan on 8–12 certified copies. Each financial institution, title company, insurer, and the Jefferson County probate court will ask for an original. Ordering too few is the most common delay families run into. Use the Alabama death certificate calculator for a personalized count.
Alabama does not set a strict filing deadline for opening probate, but delay has costs: the creditor claim period is 6 months, assets stay frozen until probate opens, and some banks refuse to act without letters. Most families file within 30–60 days.
Funeral homes typically report the death to Social Security. Bank and brokerage notifications are on the executor — accounts freeze on notification, so timing matters. The Alabama estate settlement checklist walks through the order.
Yes. A revocable living trust keeps the estate out of Jefferson County probate entirely — no filing, no hearings, no public record. Families who plan ahead settle in weeks instead of months. Create a revocable trust online before the next generation has to go through what you're handling now.
Probate Court
Jefferson County
716 Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone:
205-325-5426Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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