PROBATE
“PROBATE” REFERS TO THE LEGAL PROCESS BY WHICH A LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT IS ADMINISTERED. A WILL MUST BE PROBATED TO HAVE ANY LEGAL EFFECT.
NO PRIVACY
- Probate proceedings are public. Anyone can walk into their local probate and ask for the entire file and review it at their leisure.
- The probate court will even allow you to make copies of anything from the file that you want.
- Your nosey neighbor will love this! Probate proceedings are public. Anyone can walk into their local probate and ask for the entire file and review it at their leisure.
- The probate court will even allow you to make copies of anything from the file that you want. • Your nosey neighbor will love this!
IT IS SLOW
- Probates must stay open for a minimum of 6 months in Alabama, but they usually last about one year with court delays and other issues.
THE EXECUTOR HAS PERSONAL LIABILITY
- The executor (“Personal Representative”) can be sued personally for any wrongdoing – whether they meant to do anything wrong or not.
