How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate — Alabama (AL)
How to document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an Alabama estate Overview: When you administer an estate in Alabama, accurate documentation of every payment — whether to a service provider (contractor, attorney, funeral home) or to an heir as a distribution — protects you, shows transparency to the probate […]
Read article →How can next of kin qualify to be appointed as the estate administrator? (AL)
Can next of kin be appointed estate administrator in Alabama? — Detailed FAQ Short answer: Yes. In Alabama, a decedent’s next of kin commonly qualify to be appointed as the estate administrator (also called a personal representative or administrator) if they have the legal capacity to serve and follow the probate court’s appointment procedures. The […]
Read article →What documents are required to apply for probate appointment and oath in Alabama (AL)?
Detailed Answer: Documents needed to apply for probate appointment and take the oath in Alabama This answer explains, in clear steps, the common documents and filings you will need to apply to be appointed as a personal representative (executor or administrator) and to take the required oath in Alabama probate court. This is a general […]
Read article →Which statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings? (Alabama, AL)
Detailed answer: what statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings in Alabama This FAQ-style article explains what documents administrators, executors, and other personal representatives typically must prepare and file for annual and final probate accountings in Alabama. It uses a short hypothetical to illustrate common items. This is educational information […]
Read article →What steps can heirs take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation? — AL
Resolving an Elective Share Dispute Through Mediation in Alabama Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified Alabama probate attorney. Detailed Answer — How heirs can use mediation to resolve an elective share dispute under Alabama law Elective share disputes arise […]
Read article →What is the process for negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount in estate administration in Alabama (AL)
Detailed Answer — How to negotiate a creditor’s payoff in Alabama estate administration Short answer: In Alabama, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must identify and evaluate estate creditors, follow notice and claim procedures set by probate law, and may negotiate payoffs for valid claims. Secured claims, priority claims (funeral, administration costs, taxes), and unpaid […]
Read article →What steps can be taken to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt? (AL)
Detailed Answer Short answer: To verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt in Alabama, gather written documentation from the creditor (itemized payoff, contract, payment history), confirm the creditor’s legal right and priority to be paid from estate assets, check whether the creditor followed Alabama’s probate-claims process, and, if necessary, file a […]
Read article →How can a personal representative confirm that a probate proceeding has concluded and a trust has been properly funded? — AL
Detailed Answer: How a Personal Representative Confirms Probate Is Closed and a Trust Is Funded in Alabama Short answer: In Alabama, a personal representative confirms a probate has concluded by obtaining the court’s final accounting, discharge or order of distribution, and certified court documents showing the estate is closed. To confirm a trust is properly […]
Read article →How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case (AL)
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Alabama, you typically prepare a sworn affidavit that identifies the decedent, lists the decedent’s personal property and its approximate value, states that the value of the decedent’s personal property subject to administration falls within the small‑estate threshold, and certifies who is entitled to possession. You must sign the affidavit under […]
Read article →What records are needed to show asset transfers under small estate procedures — Alabama (AL)
Detailed Answer Overview When someone dies and you pursue a small-estate procedure in Alabama to transfer assets without full probate, the key to success is clear, documentary proof that the decedent owned each asset and that the transfer or distribution you seek is authorized. Small-estate procedures are designed to simplify transfers, but courts and financial […]
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