Quick answer: Alabama probate filing fees are set county by county, not by estate value. The statutory base (Ala. Code § 12-19-90) is $45 to probate a will or grant letters of administration, but each county sets its own current schedule — in practice roughly $50 to $175 to open an estate, plus notice and settlement fees. Alabama has no estate or inheritance tax.
How Alabama probate court fees work
Probate is filed with the Probate Court in the county where the person lived — Jefferson (Birmingham), Mobile, Madison (Huntsville), Montgomery, Shelby, Baldwin and the state's 67 counties. Unlike states with a value-based sliding scale, Alabama charges flat fees per filing, set locally, so the amount depends on your county and the type of petition, not the size of the estate.
| County (major city) | Approx. fee to open an estate |
|---|---|
| Jefferson (Birmingham) | ~$175 (will) / $57 (administration) |
| Baldwin | ~$58 (will ≤ 5 pages) |
| Madison (Huntsville) | ~$47 |
| Statutory base (§ 12-19-90) | $45 + $3/page over 5 |
Approximate figures; each county publishes its own current schedule. Confirm the exact amount with your county Probate Court before filing.
Other court-related costs
- Notice to creditors — published once a week; the newspaper sets the price (~$95+); e.g. $95 in Jefferson County.
- Final or partial settlement — a filing fee applies (e.g. ~$125 in Jefferson County).
- Certified copies — small per-item charges, plus $3 per additional page and $3 per certification.
- Bond premium — if a bond is required (not waived by the will); a fraction of a percent per year.
The bigger costs are the commission and attorney fee
Even in the priciest county, the filing fee is modest next to the 2.5%-capped PR commission and the attorney fee. And Alabama has no estate or inheritance tax. See the whole picture in the Alabama probate cost breakdown, learn about attorney fees, or estimate your total with the Alabama probate cost calculator.