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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationAlabama

Summary distribution in Alabama

Where Alabama law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Alabama; nothing on this page decides it.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

What the act counts as an estate and a small estate, and the condition about real property

(2) ESTATE. All the personal property of a decedent who owns no real property at the time of his or her death for which title does not pass by operation of law.

(6) SMALL ESTATE. An estate having a value that does not exceed the small estate amount.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-691(2), (6) (Act 2025-431)

How the small estate amount is set from the homestead, exempt property and family allowances

The small estate amount shall at all times be equal to the combined maximum amount of the homestead allowance, exempt property, and family allowance provided under Sections 43-8-110 through 43-8-113, as adjusted pursuant to Section 43-8-116.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-696.02 (Act 2025-431)

Who adjusts the allowance amounts, and when an adjustment applies

the State Treasurer shall adjust each dollar amount in this article

The State Treasurer shall publish the adjusted amounts. The adjusted amounts apply to exemptions claimed on or after April 1 following the adjustment date.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-8-116

The petition for summary distribution: where it is filed, the bond, and the two waits before an order

(a) A person, or a person duly authorized to act for the person, entitled to an interest in a small estate under this division may initiate a proceeding for summary distribution of the estate by filing a verified petition in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the decedent was domiciled at death. No bond shall be required to be filed with the petition.

(1) At least 30 days have elapsed since the notice of the filing of the petition was published as provided in subsection (c);

(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the Alabama Medicaid Agency received notice of the filing of the petition

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-692(a), (d)

The judge of probate’s order directing summary distribution

(a) Upon finding that the applicable requirements enumerated in this division have been met, the judge of probate shall enter an order directing summary distribution of the estate delineating the portion of the small estate that each person identified in the order is entitled.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-693(a)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

(a) A person, or a person duly authorized to act for the person, entitled to an interest in a small estate under this division may initiate a proceeding for summary distribution of the estate by filing a verified petition in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the decedent was domiciled at death. No bond shall be required to be filed with the petition.

(1) At least 30 days have elapsed since the notice of the filing of the petition was published as provided in subsection (c);

(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the Alabama Medicaid Agency received notice of the filing of the petition

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-692(a), (d)

(a) Upon finding that the applicable requirements enumerated in this division have been met, the judge of probate shall enter an order directing summary distribution of the estate delineating the portion of the small estate that each person identified in the order is entitled.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-693(a)

The small estate amount shall at all times be equal to the combined maximum amount of the homestead allowance, exempt property, and family allowance provided under Sections 43-8-110 through 43-8-113, as adjusted pursuant to Section 43-8-116.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-696.02 (Act 2025-431)

the State Treasurer shall adjust each dollar amount in this article

The State Treasurer shall publish the adjusted amounts. The adjusted amounts apply to exemptions claimed on or after April 1 following the adjustment date.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-8-116

(2) ESTATE. All the personal property of a decedent who owns no real property at the time of his or her death for which title does not pass by operation of law.

(6) SMALL ESTATE. An estate having a value that does not exceed the small estate amount.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-691(2), (6) (Act 2025-431)

(a) A person, or a person duly authorized to act for the person, entitled to an interest in a small estate under this division may initiate a proceeding for summary distribution of the estate by filing a verified petition in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the decedent was domiciled at death. No bond shall be required to be filed with the petition.

(1) At least 30 days have elapsed since the notice of the filing of the petition was published as provided in subsection (c);

(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the Alabama Medicaid Agency received notice of the filing of the petition

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-692(a), (d)

(a) A person, or a person duly authorized to act for the person, entitled to an interest in a small estate under this division may initiate a proceeding for summary distribution of the estate by filing a verified petition in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the decedent was domiciled at death. No bond shall be required to be filed with the petition.

(1) At least 30 days have elapsed since the notice of the filing of the petition was published as provided in subsection (c);

(2) At least 30 days have elapsed since the Alabama Medicaid Agency received notice of the filing of the petition

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-692(a), (d)

(a) Upon finding that the applicable requirements enumerated in this division have been met, the judge of probate shall enter an order directing summary distribution of the estate delineating the portion of the small estate that each person identified in the order is entitled.

Alabama · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Code of Ala. §43-2-693(a)

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