Probate Estate With Will
WHAT DOES PROBATE OF A WILL MEAN?
Probate of a Will is the administration of an estate to insure that all of the property is disposed of properly. It is the Probate Judge's responsibility to make sure that all of the laws in Alabama regarding the distribution of estates are followed.
WHO SHOULD PROBATE A WILL?
Upon the person's death, anyone named in the Will either as personal representative or as a recipient of property, or any other person with a financial interest in the estate, or the person who has possession of the Will may have the Will proved before the proper probate court. Any person in possession of the Will must, by Alabama law, deliver the Will to the Probate Court or to a person who is able to have the Will probated. A person in possession of the Will can be required to produce it.
WHERE SHOULD A WILL BE PROBATED?
Generally, Wills must be filed for probate in the county where the deceased lived.
WHEN MUST A WILL BE FILED FOR PROBATE?
To be effective, a Will must be filed for probate within five years of the date of the testator's death.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A LAWYER?
The complexity of handling estates normally necessitate having an attorney since the Probate Judge cannot advise you of the law or provide you with forms.
DO I NEED TO PROBATE THE WILL?
The Will must be probated to have legal effect. Before deciding not to probate a Will one should consult an attorney.
Probate of a Will is the administration of an estate to insure that all of the property is disposed of properly. It is the Probate Judge's responsibility to make sure that all of the laws in Alabama regarding the distribution of estates are followed.
WHO SHOULD PROBATE A WILL?
Upon the person's death, anyone named in the Will either as personal representative or as a recipient of property, or any other person with a financial interest in the estate, or the person who has possession of the Will may have the Will proved before the proper probate court. Any person in possession of the Will must, by Alabama law, deliver the Will to the Probate Court or to a person who is able to have the Will probated. A person in possession of the Will can be required to produce it.
WHERE SHOULD A WILL BE PROBATED?
Generally, Wills must be filed for probate in the county where the deceased lived.
WHEN MUST A WILL BE FILED FOR PROBATE?
To be effective, a Will must be filed for probate within five years of the date of the testator's death.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE A LAWYER?
The complexity of handling estates normally necessitate having an attorney since the Probate Judge cannot advise you of the law or provide you with forms.
DO I NEED TO PROBATE THE WILL?
The Will must be probated to have legal effect. Before deciding not to probate a Will one should consult an attorney.
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THIS PAMPHLET, WHICH IS BASED ON ALABAMA LAW, IS TO INFORM AND NOT TO ADVISE. NO PERSON SHOULD EVER APPLY OR INTERPRET ANY LAW WITHOUT THE AID OF A LAWYER WHO ANALYZES THE FACTS, BECAUSE THE FACTS MAY CHANGE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW.
2009
Prepared by the
Alabama Law Institute
for
Alabama Probate Judges' Association
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