Skip to main content

Alabama Probate and Estate Forms

Alabama has no mandatory statewide estate petition forms. Each county Probate Court publishes or supplies its own petition packets, so the entries below describe the documents by role and tell you where to get the county version. Use the form finder with county filing-office instructions, source links, and supporting records before you file.

Form versions, local packet requirements, and county instructions should be verified with the county Probate Court before filing. The statewide AOC form library covers other case types and does not include estate administration petitions.

Alabama Probate Forms by Situation

Start with your county Probate Court's website or office for the local estate packet. Check the Alabama AOC form library (eforms.alacourt.gov) for any standardized form first, then confirm fees, copies, and filing steps with the county before you sign or file.

Find Forms By Your Situation

Official Resources

Start with your county Probate Court's website or office for the local estate packet. Check the Alabama AOC form library (eforms.alacourt.gov) for any standardized form first, then confirm fees, copies, and filing steps with the county before you sign or file.

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Forms

Official Alabama court form library entry point; estate petitions are county-supplied, so use this to rule standardized forms in or out.

Alabama Department of Revenue Deceased-Owner Title FAQ

ALDOR instructions for vehicle title transfer after death, including the Next of Kin Affidavit path.

Alabama Secretary of State County Official Lookup

County official lookup for probate judge and county office contacts.

Important Notes

  • -Alabama probate runs through the county Probate Court (an elected Probate Judge) in the county where the decedent was an inhabitant at death; Alabama is not a Uniform Probate Code state.
  • -Alabama has no mandatory statewide estate petition forms; the form names above describe county-supplied documents, so always use the county Probate Court's own packet.
  • -Alabama has no out-of-court small estate affidavit. The small estate shortcut is summary distribution, a verified petition filed with the probate judge under the Revised Alabama Small Estates Act (Ala. Code 43-2-690 et seq.).
  • -The small estate amount is the combined CPI-adjusted maximums of the homestead allowance, exempt property, and family allowance (Ala. Code 43-2-691(7) and 43-2-696.02), currently $47,000 as computed from the State Treasurer's published figures; older $25,000 and mid-$30,000s caps are out of date, so confirm the current figure with the county Probate Court before filing.
  • -Summary distribution covers personal property only and is unavailable if the decedent owned real property at death; those estates need a personal representative with letters.
  • -A will must be filed for probate within five years from the date of death, or it is not effective (Ala. Code 43-8-161).
  • -Form versions, local packet requirements, fees, and county instructions vary; verify everything with the county Probate Court before you sign or file.

Sources: Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Forms | Code of Alabama Section 43-2-691 (small estate definitions)

How to Use Alabama Probate Forms

Alabama has no mandatory statewide estate petition forms. Each county Probate Court publishes or supplies its own petition packets, so the entries below describe the documents by role and tell you where to get the county version.

Form versions, local packet requirements, and county instructions should be verified with the county Probate Court before filing. The statewide AOC form library covers other case types and does not include estate administration petitions.

The form finder groups records such as Probate of Will (Letters Testamentary), Letters of Administration (No Will), Summary Distribution (Small Estates), Exemptions and Allowances so you can start with the likely procedure rather than one isolated form number.

Use source links such as Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Forms, Alabama Department of Revenue Deceased-Owner Title FAQ, Alabama Secretary of State County Official Lookup as starting points, then confirm the county probate filing office or local filing-office instructions before filing.

Choose the filing path

Common filing paths in this data include Summary distribution under the Revised Alabama Small Estates Act (verified petition to the county Probate Court), Full estate administration with letters testamentary (admit the will, then administer), Full estate administration with letters of administration (intestate), Full estate administration (real property is not eligible for summary distribution). Match the estate facts to the correct path before preparing forms.

Verify the county packet

Check the county probate filing office or local filing-office instructions for coversheets, copy rules, appointments, fees, and filing methods.

Pull supporting records first

Collect the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset values, deed or title records, heir and beneficiary details, and creditor information before filling out the packet.

Source note 1

Alabama probate runs through the county Probate Court (an elected Probate Judge) in the county where the decedent was an inhabitant at death; Alabama is not a Uniform Probate Code state.

Source note 2

Alabama has no mandatory statewide estate petition forms; the form names above describe county-supplied documents, so always use the county Probate Court's own packet.

Source note 3

Alabama has no out-of-court small estate affidavit. The small estate shortcut is summary distribution, a verified petition filed with the probate judge under the Revised Alabama Small Estates Act (Ala. Code 43-2-690 et seq.).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Alabama probate forms?
Start with Alabama Administrative Office of Courts Forms, Alabama Department of Revenue Deceased-Owner Title FAQ, Alabama Secretary of State County Official Lookup. Then verify local county instructions before you file, because packet rules, copy requirements, fees, and filing methods can vary.
How do I know which Alabama probate form I need?
Start with the filing path, not the form number. The right packet depends on will status, asset type and value, creditor issues, heirs or beneficiaries, and whether a simplified procedure fits.
Can I file Alabama probate forms without an attorney?
Some paths may allow self-filing, but this state data includes categories or situations where attorney help may be required or strongly expected. Verify the county rules and get legal help when rights, disputes, real estate, creditors, or tax facts are unclear.
What should I gather before filling out Alabama probate forms?
Gather the original will if one exists, certified death certificates, asset and debt lists, deed or title records, beneficiary records, and names and addresses for heirs or beneficiaries.

Alabama Source Notes

Alabama Administrative Office of Courts - Forms - Alabama Administrative Office of Courts - Forms. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Alabama Secretary of State - County Official Lookup - Alabama Secretary of State - County Official Lookup. Accessed 2026-06-09.
Code of Alabama Section 43-2-691 - Definitions (small estate, small estate amount) - Code of Alabama Section 43-2-691 - Definitions (small estate, small estate amount). Accessed 2026-06-11.
Code of Alabama Section 43-2-692 - Petition for summary distribution - Code of Alabama Section 43-2-692 - Petition for summary distribution. Accessed 2026-06-09.
Code of Alabama Section 43-2-42 - Order of grant of administration - Code of Alabama Section 43-2-42 - Order of grant of administration. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Code of Alabama Section 43-8-161 - Time limit for probate of a will - Code of Alabama Section 43-8-161 - Time limit for probate of a will. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Code of Alabama Section 43-2-830 - Devolution of estate at death - Code of Alabama Section 43-2-830 - Devolution of estate at death. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Code of Alabama Section 12-19-90 - Judge of probate fee schedule - Code of Alabama Section 12-19-90 - Judge of probate fee schedule. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Alabama State Treasurer - CPI-adjusted exemption amounts under Ala. Code 43-8-116 - Alabama State Treasurer - CPI-adjusted exemption amounts under Ala. Code 43-8-116. Accessed 2026-06-11.
Alabama Department of Revenue - Title transfer for deceased owner - Alabama Department of Revenue - Title transfer for deceased owner. Accessed 2026-06-11.

Information current as of June 11, 2026

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Alabama can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.