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Baldwin County, AL Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Baldwin County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Baldwin County Probate Court |
| Estate filing location | Baldwin County Probate Office, 220 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 459, Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
| Wills and estates phone | (251) 580-1829. The second wills and estates line is (251) 580-1890. |
| Fax | (251) 580-1834 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Baldwin County asks visitors to expect longer waits between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. |
| Opening filing fees | As published by Baldwin County in August 2026, $58 to probate a will of five pages or less, plus $3 for each additional page of the will or codicil, and $68 for letters of administration or letters of administration with the will annexed. |
| Local forms | Baldwin County states that the office does not provide the documents needed to create or probate a will. |
| Electronic filing | Baldwin County publishes no electronic filing route for estate matters. Ask the wills and estates line how the office wants a particular document delivered. |
| Case lookup | The Baldwin County Probate Court publishes its own online case inquiry at probatecourt.baldwincountyal.gov/DuProcessCourtInquiry, searchable by name or case number, and it includes estate cases. |
| Remote appearance | Whether a hearing can be handled by phone or video is set by the Baldwin County Probate Court. Ask when the matter is scheduled. |
| Website | https://baldwincountyal.gov/government/probate-office |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before choosing a Baldwin County estate settlement route, identify what the decedent owned, what was co-owned, what debts are known, and whether the original will exists. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to find accounts and policies the family may not know about, which matters here because Baldwin County publishes no estate packet for families to simply download and fill in.
Debts also shape the calendar. After notice to creditors is published, creditors have six months to present claims (Ala. Code § 43-2-350), and Baldwin County publishes a $3 claim filing charge as of August 2026. A clear asset and debt picture helps keep the estate settlement from stalling after the case is opened.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Baldwin County Probate Court sits in Bay Minette and serves all of Baldwin County, including communities such as Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort and the county's unincorporated coastal areas. Alabama venue for a will is generally the probate court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a nonresident decedent, a county where the decedent left assets (Ala. Code § 43-8-162).
Baldwin County's Probate Office has four locations: Bay Minette, Fairhope, Foley and Robertsdale. Licensing and recording work is published for all four locations, but the Probate Court publishes its wills and estates contact information and court address for Bay Minette. Call the wills and estates line before taking an estate filing to Fairhope, Foley or Robertsdale.
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm that the estate belongs in Baldwin County. Alabama venue is generally the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or a county where a nonresident decedent left assets (Ala. Code § 43-8-162).
- If there is a will, locate the original. A person holding the will has a duty to deliver it to the probate court or to someone who can secure probate (Ala. Code § 43-8-270), and a will must be filed for probate within five years of death (Ala. Code § 43-8-161).
- Identify assets, debts, beneficiaries and known creditors before drafting the petition. The filing route affects what Baldwin County charges at opening and what notice has to be given.
- Prepare the petition and supporting papers. Baldwin County states that it does not provide the documents needed to probate a will, and Alabama has no statewide probate form set for families to use.
- File at the Baldwin County Probate Office, 220 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507. The Probate Office also has Fairhope, Foley and Robertsdale locations for licensing and recording, so call the wills and estates line at (251) 580-1829 before taking an estate filing anywhere other than Bay Minette.
- Pay the opening charge published by Baldwin County. As published in August 2026, Baldwin County lists $58 to probate a will of five pages or less, plus $3 for each additional page of the will or codicil, and $68 for letters of administration or letters of administration with the will annexed.
- The probate judge acts on the petition. In Alabama, the probate judge is both the judge and the filing officer for the county probate court.
- If the petition is granted, letters testamentary issue when there is a will, or letters of administration issue when there is not. Banks, insurers and other institutions commonly ask to see those letters before dealing with the personal representative.
- Publish notice to creditors and give required notices. Creditors have six months to present claims after notice is published, and a creditor entitled to actual notice has 30 days after that notice (Ala. Code § 43-2-350).
- Ask how any hearing will be set. Baldwin County publishes its court calendar online, but it does not publish hearing days or a filing-to-hearing window. Whether a matter can be handled by phone or video is decided by the Baldwin County Probate Court.
- Administer the estate by collecting assets, safeguarding property, paying allowed claims in the order Alabama law requires and accounting to the court.
- Close the estate on settlement. As published by Baldwin County in August 2026, settlement papers are listed at no charge if 10 pages or less. If over 10 pages, Baldwin lists $3 for each page over 10 pages, plus a $5 data processing fee and a $5 archive fee.
- If a contested or equitable dispute arises after the administration is open, an interested party may petition to remove the administration to the circuit court (Ala. Code § 12-11-41). The estate still opens in the Baldwin County Probate Court.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Baldwin County
Baldwin County states that its Probate Office does not provide any of the documents needed to create or probate a will. The county does publish forms for some other matters, such as a name change petition, so the absence of estate documents is a stated local practice rather than a missing link.
For a Baldwin County estate settlement, the petition and supporting papers are prepared for the estate instead of downloaded from a statewide packet. The probate office can answer questions about its filing counter, fees and records, but it does not choose a legal path or draft probate papers for the family.
Fees
| Fee item | Baldwin County amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Probate of a will of five pages or less | $58, as published August 2026 | Add $3 for each additional page of the will or codicil, as published August 2026. |
| Letters of administration | $68, as published August 2026 | The same published amount applies to letters of administration with the will annexed. |
| Claim against an estate | $3, as published August 2026 | This is the charge Baldwin County lists for a creditor claim filing. |
| Settlement of estates | No charge if settlement papers are 10 pages or less, as published August 2026 | If over 10 pages, Baldwin County lists $3 for each page over 10 pages, plus a $5 data processing fee and a $5 archive fee, as published August 2026. |
| Copies | $1 per page and $3 for a certified copy, as published August 2026 | These copy charges are published with Baldwin County recording charges. Ask the Probate Office how copies are requested for a probate case. |
| Recorded deeds and other real property documents | $13 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, as published August 2026 | This is a recording charge, not an estate petition filing charge. Baldwin County also states that Act No. 2017-326 added $4 to documents filed after June 9, 2017 by increasing the data processing fee from $1 to $5. |
Baldwin County does not publish a charge for every possible estate request. For example, ask the Probate Office about a petition involving estate real estate or any bond-related charge before filing.
Local nuance
Baldwin County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Four Probate Office locations, one court location for estates | Baldwin County publishes Probate Office locations in Bay Minette, Fairhope, Foley and Robertsdale. Licensing and recording work is published across those offices, but the Probate Court and wills and estates lines are published for Bay Minette. Call before taking estate papers to a satellite office. |
| County probate case inquiry includes estates | Baldwin County publishes its own Probate Court case inquiry, searchable by name or case number, and it includes estate cases. The search shows case and docket information, and the court also publishes an online calendar. |
| Published estate fee rows | Baldwin County publishes specific estate fee rows, including opening charges, estate claims and settlements. The county does not print an effective date on that schedule, so confirm the total before filing. |
| No estate documents supplied | The Probate Office states that it does not provide the documents needed to create or probate a will. That makes preparation before filing especially important. |
Recent updates
| Change | What it means for Baldwin County families |
|---|---|
| Alabama small estate rules changed effective October 1, 2025 | Act 2025-431 rewrote the statewide small estate framework and tied the ceiling to the combined statutory allowances (Ala. Code § 43-2-696.02). Ask the Baldwin County Probate Office or review the Alabama state probate page before relying on older small estate materials. |
| Baldwin County recording data processing charge has applied since June 9, 2017 | Baldwin County states that Act No. 2017-326 increased the data processing fee from $1 to $5, adding $4 to documents filed for recording after June 9, 2017. This affects recorded documents, not the opening probate petition. |
Scenarios
| Scenario | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | A surviving spouse in Daphne, Fairhope or Spanish Fort should plan around Bay Minette for the estate filing. If there is a will, the original goes with the petition, and Baldwin County lists $58 to probate a will of five pages or less as published August 2026. With no will, Baldwin County lists $68 for letters of administration as published August 2026. How a co-owned home passes depends on the deed, and Baldwin County's land document index reaches back to 1899. | Sunset helps find accounts, policies and jointly held assets before papers are prepared, so the estate settlement route matches what the estate actually holds. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | An adult child living outside Alabama can use Baldwin County's online Probate Court case inquiry and calendar to see public case and setting information. Baldwin County publishes a mailing address, PO Box 459, Bay Minette, AL 36507, but it does not publish a rule for filing an estate petition by mail. The first call is to the wills and estates line at (251) 580-1829 to ask how the office wants the papers delivered and whether any hearing can be handled by phone or video. | Sunset helps assemble the asset picture from a distance before anything is sent to Bay Minette. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A parent administering a child's estate that includes a Baldwin County house may deal with the Probate Office both to open the administration and later to record sale documents. Baldwin County lists $68 for letters of administration as published August 2026. Recording charges published August 2026 are $13 for the first page and $3 for each additional page, and Baldwin County states that Act No. 2017-326 added $4 to documents filed for recording after June 9, 2017. Baldwin County does not publish a fee for a petition involving estate real estate, so ask the office before filing. | Sunset helps identify debts, liens, accounts and insurance before the house is marketed or the estate settlement plan is finalized. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Services Alabama | Free civil legal help for low-income Alabamians, subject to eligibility and case-type priorities. Its published practice areas include heirs property and estate planning, but it does not advertise estate administration representation. | Statewide intake: 866-456-4995. Spanish-language line: 888-835-3505. Online applications are accepted. |
| AlabamaLegalHelp.org | Legal Services Alabama names this as its companion self-help and referral site. | www.alabamalegalhelp.org |
| Baldwin County Probate Office | The office answers questions about its own filings, fees, locations and records. It does not draft estate papers, choose a probate path or give legal advice. | Wills and estates: (251) 580-1829 and (251) 580-1890. Fax: (251) 580-1834. Address: 220 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507. |
When to hire an attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts, policies and other assets that can be missed during a Baldwin County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Baldwin County states that it does not provide the documents needed to probate a will. Sunset helps turn the asset picture, family information and court requirements into an organized probate packet for review and filing.
Find a local probate attorney. When a Baldwin County estate needs legal advice, especially for real estate, creditor problems or a dispute, Sunset connects the family with a vetted local probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools at no cost while deciding what to file, what to gather and when to bring in counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Baldwin County, Alabama?
File with the Baldwin County Probate Office at 220 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette, AL 36507. The office is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and mail goes to PO Box 459, Bay Minette, AL 36507. Baldwin County also has Probate Office locations in Fairhope, Foley and Robertsdale, but those are published for licensing and recording, so call before taking an estate filing anywhere other than Bay Minette.
How much does it cost to file probate in Baldwin County?
As published by Baldwin County in August 2026, the county lists $58 to probate a will of five pages or less, $3 for each additional page of the will or codicil, $68 for letters of administration, $68 for letters of administration with the will annexed, and $3 to file a claim against an estate. Settlement papers are listed at no charge if 10 pages or less, with added charges if over 10 pages. Confirm the current total with the Probate Office before filing.
Can I look up a probate case in Baldwin County online?
Yes. The Baldwin County Probate Court publishes its own case inquiry, searchable by name or case number, and it includes estate cases. It shows case and docket information and is updated nightly. Ask the Probate Office about copies of documents.
Can I file an estate petition electronically in Baldwin County?
Baldwin County publishes no electronic filing route for estate matters. Its online services cover licensing, notary applications and document recording, and the electronic recording service is for deeds and other real property documents rather than estate petitions. Ask the wills and estates line at (251) 580-1829 how the office wants your papers delivered.
Does Baldwin County have probate forms I can download?
No. Baldwin County states that its Probate Office does not provide the documents needed to create or probate a will. Alabama also has no statewide probate form set for families to download, so the petition and supporting papers are prepared for the estate.
How long does probate take in Baldwin County?
Baldwin County publishes no filing-to-hearing window or processing time. What is fixed is that creditors have six months to present claims after notice to creditors is published (Ala. Code § 43-2-350), and a creditor entitled to actual notice has 30 days after that notice. The Probate Office sets hearing dates, and the court publishes its calendar online.
Do I have to go to Bay Minette in person to settle an estate?
The Baldwin County Probate Court and wills and estates desks are in Bay Minette. Baldwin County publishes no rule allowing an estate petition to be filed at Fairhope, Foley or Robertsdale. Whether a hearing can be handled by phone or video is set by the Baldwin County Probate Court, so call (251) 580-1829 before making the drive.
Do I need a lawyer to probate a will in Baldwin County?
Baldwin County's published guidance directs people to a lawyer, and the office does not supply estate documents. A clear, cooperative estate settlement is different from a disputed estate, an estate with real property or an estate with creditor problems, so it is worth getting legal advice before deciding what to file.
Who is in charge of probate in Baldwin County?
The Baldwin County Probate Court, presided over by the county's elected probate judge. In Alabama, the probate judge is both the judge and the filing officer, so the petition is filed in the Probate Office and the judge acts on it.
What if the Baldwin County estate turns into a dispute?
Administration opens in the Baldwin County Probate Court. If a contested or equitable issue arises, an interested party may petition to remove the already opened administration to the circuit court (Ala. Code § 12-11-41). The case does not start there.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.