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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Alabama

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Alabama?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Alabama. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Alabama is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.Ala. Code §§ 43-2-680 + 43-2-848 (executor compensation), 43-2-682 (attorney fees), 43-2-691, 43-2-692, 43-2-698 (small estate / Summary Distribution; HB164 / Act 2025-431, eff. Oct 1, 2025), 43-8-110/111/112/116 (homestead, exempt property, family allowance, CPI adjustment), 43-2-350 (creditor claims), 43-2-851 (bond), 43-2-834 (informal admin), 43-2-61 (publication), 12-19-90 (filing fees); Alabama State Treasury CPI Information page (treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information) for current $18,800/$18,800/$9,400 allowances effective April 1, 2024 (next CPI adjustment July 1, 2026, effective April 1, 2027). Re-verified 2026-05-31 via enrolled HB164-enr.pdf (alison.legislature.state.al.us), treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information, and legis.alabama.gov primary sources — all values confirmed correct.Verified May 31, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Alabama probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.Ala. Code §§ 43-2-680 + 43-2-848 (executor compensation), 43-2-682 (attorney fees), 43-2-691, 43-2-692, 43-2-698 (small estate / Summary Distribution; HB164 / Act 2025-431, eff. Oct 1, 2025), 43-8-110/111/112/116 (homestead, exempt property, family allowance, CPI adjustment), 43-2-350 (creditor claims), 43-2-851 (bond), 43-2-834 (informal admin), 43-2-61 (publication), 12-19-90 (filing fees); Alabama State Treasury CPI Information page (treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information) for current $18,800/$18,800/$9,400 allowances effective April 1, 2024 (next CPI adjustment July 1, 2026, effective April 1, 2027). Re-verified 2026-05-31 via enrolled HB164-enr.pdf (alison.legislature.state.al.us), treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information, and legis.alabama.gov primary sources — all values confirmed correct.Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Alabama probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $47,000 in Alabama may qualify for Summary Distribution, which avoids full probate.Ala. Code §§ 43-2-680 + 43-2-848 (executor compensation), 43-2-682 (attorney fees), 43-2-691, 43-2-692, 43-2-698 (small estate / Summary Distribution; HB164 / Act 2025-431, eff. Oct 1, 2025), 43-8-110/111/112/116 (homestead, exempt property, family allowance, CPI adjustment), 43-2-350 (creditor claims), 43-2-851 (bond), 43-2-834 (informal admin), 43-2-61 (publication), 12-19-90 (filing fees); Alabama State Treasury CPI Information page (treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information) for current $18,800/$18,800/$9,400 allowances effective April 1, 2024 (next CPI adjustment July 1, 2026, effective April 1, 2027). Re-verified 2026-05-31 via enrolled HB164-enr.pdf (alison.legislature.state.al.us), treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information, and legis.alabama.gov primary sources — all values confirmed correct.Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Alabama probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Alabama probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.Ala. Code §§ 43-2-680 + 43-2-848 (executor compensation), 43-2-682 (attorney fees), 43-2-691, 43-2-692, 43-2-698 (small estate / Summary Distribution; HB164 / Act 2025-431, eff. Oct 1, 2025), 43-8-110/111/112/116 (homestead, exempt property, family allowance, CPI adjustment), 43-2-350 (creditor claims), 43-2-851 (bond), 43-2-834 (informal admin), 43-2-61 (publication), 12-19-90 (filing fees); Alabama State Treasury CPI Information page (treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information) for current $18,800/$18,800/$9,400 allowances effective April 1, 2024 (next CPI adjustment July 1, 2026, effective April 1, 2027). Re-verified 2026-05-31 via enrolled HB164-enr.pdf (alison.legislature.state.al.us), treasury.alabama.gov/cpi-information, and legis.alabama.gov primary sources — all values confirmed correct.Verified May 31, 2026

Total probate costs in Alabama include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Alabama probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Alabama. The Alabama probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Alabama

Probate attorney fees in Alabama typically range from 2%Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court fixes reasonable attorney fees at settlement)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court fixes reasonable attorney fees at settlement)Verified May 31, 2026 of the estate value. Personal property is part of that calculation, so reporting items at fair market value rather than original cost keeps the total lower.

Alabama allows simplified procedures for estates under $47,000Ala. Code § 43-2-698Verified May 31, 2026. Fair market valuations of household items — which are typically far below purchase prices — can bring an estate under the threshold. The Alabama probate need checker evaluates eligibility.

Court filing fees in Alabama start at $45Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(1); Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(2)Verified May 31, 2026. Combined with attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication costs, total probate expenses depend heavily on the reported estate value. The Alabama probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 31, 2026

Legal Sources

  • Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(1); Ala. Code § 12-19-90(a)(2)
  • Ala. Code § 43-2-682 (court fixes reasonable attorney fees at settlement)
  • Ala. Code § 43-2-698

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

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Alabama Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Alabama probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

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These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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