Many people think having a will avoids probate, but that is not true. A will directs the court on who inherits, but your estate may still go through probate, which can be slow, public, and costly. Understanding how probate works and using tools like trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper asset titling can help protect your family, preserve privacy, and ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly.

When a person dies without a will in Alabama, the state’s intestacy laws determine how probate assets are distributed. Alabama intestacy statutes control who inherits property, how much a surviving spouse receives, and what happens when there are children or other heirs. Understanding probate versus non-probate assets and surviving spouse rights can help Alabama families avoid costly delays, court involvement, and unintended inheritance results.

When a loved one passes away, families often face the unfamiliar and emotional process of probate. From court deadlines to legal terms, it can feel overwhelming. This guide answers the most common questions about probate in Alabama and Florida—including when it is required, how long it takes, what it costs, and how proper planning can help you simplify or even avoid the process.

Learn how to prepare a personal representative or trustee in Alabama and Florida, including their duties and legal rights. This guide helps you set your chosen representative up for success, avoid delays or mismanagement, and ensure your estate plan is carried out smoothly for your loved ones.

Owning property in both Alabama and Florida can complicate estate administration. When someone passes away with real estate outside their home state, the family may need to open an ancillary probate in the other state. This process adds cost, delay, and stress. Our guide explains how ancillary probate works in Alabama and Florida—and the planning tools, like trusts and special deeds, that can help families avoid it.

In 2025, Alabama raised the small estate threshold to about $47,000, allowing more families to use the simplified probate process. This update makes transferring assets faster, less costly, and less stressful. Our guide explains how the small estate process works, the rights of surviving spouses, and strategies to minimize probate. Learn how these changes may impact your family and why consulting an Alabama estate planning attorney can help you plan ahead.

When a loved one passes away, the last thing their surviving family members want to do is track down their assets and navigate the...