How Do I Get Appointed as Executor in Alabama?
See the appointing court, the petition that opens the estate, what to file, and bond rules to be appointed in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alabama has no single statewide fill-in petition; the opening document is prepared to statute and filed with the Probate Court of the county where the decedent was domiciled. Judge of probate issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration after the court grants the petition.
Along with the petition, Alabama generally requires: 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; Death certificate — a county filing practice, not a statutory requirement; Alabama law does not condition letters on filing one, but a "certified or authenticated" copy is prima facie proof of the fact, place, date and time of death and the identity of the decedent (Ala. Code § 43-8-6(1)), which is what the judge examines the applicant on under § 43-2-45; Bond, unless waived by an express provision in the will (Ala. Code § 43-2-851); Renunciation / waiver by persons with prior or equal right to serve, where applicable (e.g. spouse, next of kin); Notice of appointment: published once a week for three successive weeks (within 30 days of the grant of letters) and mailed as soon as practicable to creditors known or reasonably ascertainable by the personal representative within six months from the grant of letters.
Yes. Alabama requires a bond by default before Letters issue. A will can waive it.
Alabama permits self-represented filers to open an estate. E-filing is available to self-represented filers. The Self-File Probate Assessment compares self-filing and attorney costs for Alabama.
Yes. A revocable living trust passes assets to beneficiaries without any court appointment in Alabama — no petition, no Letters, no bond. A revocable trust built with SimplyTrust takes about 15 minutes.
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More tools for settling this estate
Calculators and checklists for navigating probate and estate administration.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.
Small Estate Affidavit
Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter of instruction a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need based on the assets and accounts you need to close. See state-specific ordering information.
Do I Need Probate?
Answer a few questions to find out if an estate needs full probate, qualifies for simplified probate, or can avoid probate entirely with a small estate affidavit.
Hire a Alabama Probate Attorney
Browse 70 probate firms in Alabama with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Alabama Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Alabama probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.