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Alabama Wills & Estates Attorney

No one likes to think about it — but having the right documents in place protects the people you love and ensures your wishes are respected. Our team of attorneys handles wills, powers of attorney and advance directives throughout Northwest Alabama.

ALABAMA WILLS & ESTATES LAWYER

Estate Planning Is for Everyone — Not Just the Wealthy

Many people put off estate planning because they think it’s only for wealthy families or the elderly. It’s not. If you have children, own property, have a bank account, or care about what happens to your belongings — you need at minimum a Last Will and Testament and a Power of Attorney.

Without these documents, Alabama’s intestacy laws determine who gets your property — and it may not be who you would choose. More importantly, without a power of attorney, your family may have no legal authority to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated.

Estate Planning Documents I Prepare

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Last Will and Testament

Directs who receives your property at death, names a personal representative (executor) to administer your estate, and — critically for parents — names a guardian for your minor children. Without a will, an Alabama court decides who raises your children.

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Durable Power of Attorney

Authorizes a person you trust to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. "Durable" means it remains effective even if you become mentally incompetent. Without it, your family may need to go to court to obtain a conservatorship — an expensive and time-consuming process.

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Healthcare Power of Attorney

Names a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself. This person speaks for you with doctors, hospitals and treatment facilities. Without it, Alabama law determines who has this authority — which may not match your wishes.

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Advance Directive (Living Will)

States your wishes regarding end-of-life medical treatment — whether you want life-sustaining treatment continued, under what circumstances, and what comfort measures you want. Relieves your family of an agonizing decision at the worst possible time.

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Simple Revocable Living Trust

In appropriate cases, a revocable living trust can help your estate avoid probate, maintain privacy, and transfer assets faster and more efficiently than a will alone. I'll advise whether a trust makes sense for your situation.

⚠ WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT A WILL IN ALABAMA

If you die without a will (intestate), Alabama law distributes your property according to a fixed formula. Your spouse and children share equally — meaning your surviving spouse may have to share your home with your children. Stepchildren receive nothing. A live-in partner receives nothing. Your chosen guardian for your children is not legally binding. Don’t let the state decide for you.

Don’t Put It Off Any Longer. Call Now!

Probate in Alabama

When someone dies with a will, the estate typically goes through probate — the court-supervised process of validating the will, paying debts, and distributing assets. Alabama’s probate process is handled in the Probate Court of the county where the deceased resided.

Simple estates can often be administered without significant court involvement. I assist personal representatives (executors) with the Alabama probate process, including filing the will, notifying creditors, inventorying assets, and distributing property to heirs.

💡 UPDATE YOUR DOCUMENTS AFTER MAJOR LIFE EVENTS

Estate planning isn’t a one-time task. Review and update your will and powers of attorney after marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or the death of a named beneficiary or executor. Outdated documents can create as many problems as no documents at all.

Serving Northwest Alabama

I prepare wills, powers of attorney and advance directives for clients throughout Marion, Lamar, Fayette and Franklin Counties. Probate matters are filed in the appropriate county probate court. My offices in Winfield, Russellville and Huntsville are convenient to clients across the region.

Complete a Basic Estate Plan Now!