Guiding Birmingham families through Jefferson County Probate Court, in both the Birmingham and Bessemer divisions, with clarity, compassion, and experienced legal support.
Schedule a Consultation Call (205) 202-9801When a loved one passes away in Birmingham, settling their estate can feel overwhelming on top of grief. The Alabama probate process involves court filings, creditor notifications, asset inventories, and strict legal deadlines, all while your family is navigating one of life's most difficult moments. At Colvin & Sawyer Law Offices, attorney Valerie Sawyer focuses her practice on probate and estate administration, guiding Birmingham families through every step with experienced legal support and genuine compassion.
Our office sits in Mountain Brook, minutes from downtown Birmingham, and we regularly handle estates in Jefferson County Probate Court, from straightforward administrations to contested matters. For a complete overview of our probate practice, visit our main Alabama probate services page.
"Probate doesn't have to be a source of added pain. With the right legal team guiding you, it can be a manageable, orderly process, even in difficult times."
Jefferson County is unique in Alabama: it operates two probate divisions. Estates of residents in Birmingham and the eastern portion of the county are filed with the probate court at the county courthouse downtown. Estates of residents in the western portion of the county, on the other side of the boundary known as the Bessemer Cutoff, are filed in the Bessemer division instead.
Filing in the wrong division is a common mistake for families handling probate on their own, and it costs time an estate cannot get back. Determining the correct division based on where your loved one lived is one of the first things we confirm, along with which filings, notices, and bonds that court will require. It is a small detail with real consequences, and it is exactly the kind of local knowledge that makes probate move faster.
Full-service probate administration from opening the estate through final distribution: all filings, creditor notifications, and court accounting handled for you.
When a loved one dies without a will, we guide Birmingham families through Alabama's intestate succession process and help establish the right administrator.
What happens without a will?We file the will with the correct division of Jefferson County Probate Court, obtain letters testamentary, and ensure the executor has full legal authority.
When a will's validity is challenged, or should be, we represent personal representatives defending an estate and heirs raising legitimate contests.
When a Birmingham loved one can no longer manage their own affairs and no power of attorney exists, we petition the probate court for guardianship or conservatorship.
Serving as personal representative carries real legal responsibility. We advise Birmingham personal representatives throughout the process to prevent costly mistakes.
Executor duties in AlabamaAlabama law requires a minimum six-month creditor claim period, so no estate in Birmingham or anywhere in Alabama closes in less than six months. Simple estates typically close in six to nine months. Estates with Jefferson County real estate, multiple heirs, or disputes can take one to two years or longer. For the full breakdown, read: How Long Does Probate Take in Alabama?
Total probate costs, including court fees, publication costs, personal representative compensation, and attorney fees, typically run 2 to 5 percent of the gross estate value. We discuss costs openly at your first consultation so there are no surprises. For a complete breakdown, read: What Probate Costs in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dealing with a loved one's estate in Birmingham? We are here to help.
Call Colvin & Sawyer Law Offices at (205) 202-9801 or send us a message. We serve Birmingham and all of Jefferson County, both divisions."Valerie Sawyer was absolutely amazing to work with. She was fast, efficient, and made the entire process so much less stressful. From the beginning, she took a huge weight off my shoulders and handled everything with professionalism and confidence."
We represent families across the city and throughout Jefferson County, including Crestwood, Avondale, Forest Park, Highland Park, Five Points South, Southside, East Lake, Roebuck, Huffman, Ensley, West End, Norwood, and downtown Birmingham, as well as the surrounding suburbs. If your loved one lived nearby, we also maintain dedicated pages for these communities:
Probate for Birmingham residents is filed with Jefferson County Probate Court. Jefferson County is unique in Alabama because it operates two divisions: the Birmingham division at the county courthouse downtown and the Bessemer division serving the western part of the county. Where your loved one lived determines which division handles the estate.
Jefferson County is divided by a boundary known as the Bessemer Cutoff. Estates of residents in the western portion of the county, including Bessemer and surrounding communities, are filed in the Bessemer division rather than downtown Birmingham. Filing in the wrong division causes delays, so confirming the correct division is one of the first things we handle.
Total probate costs in Birmingham, including attorney fees, court costs, and personal representative compensation, typically range from 2 to 5 percent of the gross estate value. Contact us at (205) 202-9801 to discuss your specific situation.
Alabama does not legally require an attorney for probate, but the process involves complex filings, strict deadlines, and personal liability for the personal representative. Most Birmingham families benefit significantly from experienced legal guidance, especially when the estate includes real estate, debts, or multiple heirs. More here: Do I Need a Probate Attorney in Alabama?
The estate passes under Alabama intestate succession law, and Jefferson County Probate Court appoints an administrator to manage it. The court follows a fixed legal order for both who serves and who inherits. We help Birmingham families petition for the right administrator and guide them through the process. See: My Parent Died Without a Will in Alabama
Christopher Colvin and Valerie Sawyer guide clients through probate in both divisions of Jefferson County Probate Court with experienced, compassionate counsel.
Schedule a Consultation Call (205) 202-9801