Hoover spans two counties, which means probate can go to Birmingham or to Columbiana depending on your address. We file in the right court, every time.
Schedule a Consultation Call (205) 202-9801When a loved one passes away in Hoover, settling their estate can feel overwhelming on top of grief. The Alabama probate process involves court filings, creditor notifications, asset inventories, and strict 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 Hoover families through every step with experienced legal support and genuine compassion.
Our office in nearby Mountain Brook is a short drive from Hoover, and we regularly handle estates in both Jefferson County and Shelby 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."
This is the single most important thing for Hoover families to understand, and it trips up people who try to file on their own. Hoover straddles both Jefferson County and Shelby County. Which probate court handles an estate depends entirely on which county the deceased lived in.
If your loved one lived in the Jefferson County portion of Hoover, probate is filed with the Jefferson County Probate Court, in the Birmingham division. If they lived in the Shelby County portion, probate is filed with the Shelby County Probate Court in Columbiana, the county seat, an entirely different courthouse with its own procedures. Two neighbors on different sides of the county line file in two different cities.
Confirming the correct county based on the exact address is the very first thing we do for a Hoover estate. Filing in the wrong county is not a minor paperwork issue; it means starting over in the right court, and losing weeks or months in the process. Knowing Hoover's split, and both court systems, is exactly the kind of local knowledge that keeps an estate moving.
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 Hoover 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 county probate court for your address, 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 Hoover 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 Hoover 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 Hoover or anywhere in Alabama closes in less than six months. Simple estates typically close in six to nine months. Estates with real property, 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 Alabama.
Dealing with a loved one's estate in Hoover? We are here to help.
Call Colvin & Sawyer Law Offices at (205) 202-9801 or send us a message. We serve Hoover and both Jefferson and Shelby Counties."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 throughout Hoover on both sides of the county line, including Bluff Park, Green Valley, Riverchase, Ross Bridge, Trace Crossings, the Greystone area, and the communities near the Galleria. If your loved one lived in a nearby community, we also maintain dedicated pages for these areas:
It depends on where in Hoover the deceased lived. Hoover spans both Jefferson County and Shelby County. Estates on the Jefferson County side are filed with the Jefferson County Probate Court in Birmingham; estates on the Shelby County side are filed with the Shelby County Probate Court in Columbiana.
The county line runs through Hoover, so two homes in the same city can be in different counties. We confirm the county from the exact property address before filing anything, because it determines which probate court opens the estate.
Filing in the wrong county means the estate has to be refiled in the correct court, costing weeks or months. This is the most common and most costly mistake for Hoover families who handle probate without confirming the county first.
Total probate costs, 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 situation.
The estate passes under Alabama intestate succession law, and the probate court in the correct county appoints an administrator. We confirm the county, then help Hoover families petition for the right administrator. See: My Parent Died Without a Will in Alabama
Christopher Colvin and Valerie Sawyer guide Hoover families through the correct probate court for their county with experienced, compassionate counsel.
Schedule a Consultation Call (205) 202-9801