Estate Planning Attorney in Huntsville, Alabama
What Is Estate Planning?
An estate plan is a set of legal documents and arrangements that specify how your property, medical wishes, and financial decisions are handled if you die or become incapacitated. A well-designed estate plan may include:
ast Will and Testament
Trusts, such as revocable or special needs trusts
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Advance Health Care Directive (living will with proxy)
HIPAA Authorization
Beneficiary designations for accounts and assets
Why Alabama Estate Planning Matters?
Alabama law focuses on:
Ensuring that wills meet state formal requirements (e.g. written, signed, witnessed, at least 18 years old, sound mind)
Intestate succession rules if you die without a valid will
Probate avoidance strategies for small estates or assets with beneficiary designations
No state estate tax, though large estates may trigger federal estate tax
Probate exemptions for estates valued at $25,000 or less
Protecting Your Assets, Health, and Legacy
Estate planning is more than just drafting a will. It is a thoughtful, proactive process to protect your assets, your family’s future, and your healthcare wishes. I’m Jonathan Pippin, serving Huntsville and North Alabama since 1998. I guide clients through every step of estate planning under Alabama law with clarity and integrity.
Key Documents in an Alabama Estate Plan
Last Will and Testament
A will specifies how your property is distributed, names an executor, and can appoint guardians for minor children. A valid Alabama will must be:
In writing
Signed by someone over 18 of sound mind
Witnessed by at least two competent witnesses
Optionally self-proving with a notary affidavit to streamline probate
Revocable Living Trust
A trust allows assets to be managed during life and passed to beneficiaries without probate. It provides additional privacy and flexibility, especially when paired with a “pour-over” will
Powers of Attorney
Financial Power of Attorney lets someone manage finances if you are incapacitated. It should be durable and signed in accordance with Alabama law.
Health Care Directive / Living Will appoints someone to make medical decisions and records your end-of-life wishes. Must be signed and witnessed or notarized.
Beneficiary Designations
Accounts with payable-on-death or transfer-on-death provisions and joint ownership with rights of survivorship bypass probate. Review and update beneficiary information regularly to align with your estate plan
Why Work With Me?
With more than 25 years of experience in Alabama estate law, I offer:
Detailed assessments of your assets and family needs
Guidance on how legal documents work together under Alabama law
Proper execution of all required formalities
Help choosing between wills, trusts, or a combination
Clear updates as your life changes—marriage, children, divorce, or new assets
How the Process Works
Initial consultation - We review your goals and learn about your assets and loved ones
Document Review – I explain the legal criteria for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
Drafting – I prepare documents tailored to your wishes and compliant with Alabama law
Execution – We sign documents with witnesses and, when needed, a notary
Storage and Follow-up – I advise on secure storage and notify relevant agents or executors
Periodic Updates – I recommend reviewing your estate plan when major life events occur
Start Protecting What Matters
If you live in Huntsville or elsewhere in North Alabama and want to start or update your estate plan, I can help. My process is thoughtful, thorough, and tailored to your situation.
Call me today at 256-698-4495 or contact me online to schedule a confidential consultation.