Alabama Probate Costs
Reasonable compensation under Ala. Code Section 43-2-681 (reasonable compensation determined by court)
Alabama Probate Overview
Alabama follows a reasonable compensation model for probate fees, where attorney and executor fees are determined by what the court considers fair for the work performed. Under Ala. Code Section 43-2-681 (reasonable compensation determined by court), fees are based on the gross value of the estate. This means costs can vary depending on the complexity of the estate and the professionals involved.
Attorney fees are typically around 3.0% of the gross estate value. The court filing fee in Alabama is $350 (AL probate court filing fee schedule (varies by county)). You should also budget for surety bond premiums and newspaper publication fees required by law.
The probate process in Alabama typically takes 6 to 12 months from filing to final distribution. For smaller estates valued at $36,650 or less, Alabama offers a summary administration that can bypass the full probate process (Ala. Code Section 43-2-692).