Category Archives: <span class="page-description">Wills & Probate</span>

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate

One question I often get is: Do you have to go through the Probate Court when a loved one dies? The short answer is no, not always. There are times when going through the Probate process is required. The process of going through Probate is referred to as “opening an estate.” In Alabama, there is …

Continue reading "Do You Have to Do Probate When Someone Dies?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate

A Practical Guide to the Executor’s Role in Alabama If you have been named as the executor of a loved one’s estate, you may feel a mixture of honor and apprehension. The title comes with real responsibilities — legal, financial, and administrative — and the process of carrying out those responsibilities, known as probate, can …

Continue reading "What Does an Executor do When Someone Dies?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate

When a loved one passes away, the family is left with both the emotional weight of grief and the practical responsibility of settling the estate. For many Alabamians, that process involves probate — the court-supervised procedure through which a decedent’s will is validated, debts are paid, and assets are distributed to beneficiaries. One of the …

Continue reading "How Much Does Probate Cost in Alabama?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate

Estate planning is one of the most meaningful steps a person can take to protect their family. A properly executed will ensure that your assets go to the people or organizations you choose, rather than being distributed according to a formula set by the state. But not all wills are created equal, and in Alabama, …

Continue reading "Is a Handwritten Will Legal in Alabama?"

Posted by Steven A. Harris | Wills & Probate

  In Alabama, the Probate Court may seem confusing if you are unfamiliar with it. This confusion may stem from the fact that the Probate Court has multiple and varying functions. The most well-known function of the Alabama Probate Court relates to a deceased person’s estate. After a person has passed away, either with or …

Continue reading "What is a Probate Court Used For?"