ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE
Protect what you’ve built. Protect the people you love.
Thoughtful estate planning today can spare your family stress, confusion, and conflict tomorrow. Floyd & Floyd helps Alabama families prepare for the future — and navigate the probate process when the time comes.
A PLAN IS A GIFT TO YOUR FAMILY
Quieter work, and some of the most important we do.
Most people don’t think about estate planning until something makes them. A health scare. A parent’s illness. A death in the family. A new grandchild. A piece of property they want to keep in the family for another generation.
Whatever brought you here, the goal of good planning is the same: less confusion, less cost, and less conflict for the people you leave behind. And when a loved one does pass, the goal of good probate counsel is the same too: to handle the legal side with care, so your family can handle the grieving.
Floyd & Floyd has guided Alabama families through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate administration for decades. This is the quieter corner of what we do — and in many ways, the most personal.
What We Help Families With
WILLS & ESTATE PLANS
Last will and testament, pour-over wills, and full estate plans tailored to your family, your property, and your goals — from a simple will to a multi-generation plan.
TRUSTS
Revocable living trusts, special-needs trusts, and other arrangements designed to pass assets efficiently, avoid probate where appropriate, and protect beneficiaries.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY & HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES
Financial powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and living wills — the documents that speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself.
PROBATE & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Representing executors, administrators, and beneficiaries through the probate process in both Alabama — from filing the petition to closing the estate.
GOOD MOMENTS TO PLAN
The times it makes sense to get it done.
1. You’ve bought your first home. A home is often the largest asset most families own. A simple will ensures it passes the way you want it to.
2. You’ve become a parent or grandparent. A will lets you name a guardian for minor children — one of the single most important decisions a parent can make.
3. You’ve reached retirement. Estate planning isn’t just about death; it’s about decision-making if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
4. You’ve recently lost a family member. Probate questions come up fast. We help executors, administrators, and beneficiaries navigate the process without added stress.
5. Your family or finances have changed. Marriage, divorce, a new child, a business, a move between Alabama — any of these is a good reason to update (or create) a plan.
6. You’ve simply been putting it off. Most people have. A short conversation is often all it takes to move from “I should handle that” to “it’s handled.”
Flat fees for planning. Clear estimates for probate.
Estate planning and probate work generally follow two fee structures, and we’re up front about both:
Flat fees for estate planning. Wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and most trust-based plans are offered at an agreed, written flat fee so you know exactly what your plan will cost before we start.
Hourly or statutory fees for probate. Probate and estate administration vary in complexity, and attorney fees are often paid from the estate under the supervision of the court. We’ll give you a clear written estimate at the start and keep you updated throughout the process.
Your first consultation is reassuring. We’ll explain your options, recommend the plan that fits your family’s situation, and quote a fee in writing before you commit.
How we work, step by step.
1
Consultation
We sit down and listen. What does your family look like? What do you own? What are you worried about? What do you want to protect? From there, we recommend the plan that fits — not a one-size-fits-all package.
2
Drafting
We prepare the documents, explain each one in plain language, and make sure everything works together — your will, any trusts, your powers of attorney, and your healthcare directives.
3
Review & signing
You review the documents at your own pace. We meet again to sign, notarize, and witness everything correctly under Alabama. Signed originals go home with you.
4
Updates when life changes
A plan is not a one-time project. As your family, finances, or property change, we’re a phone call away to update what needs updating.
(For probate clients, the process is different — we’ll guide you through filing, notice, inventory, debts, distribution, and closing the estate under the supervision of the probate court in your jurisdiction.)
WHY FLOYD & FLOYD
What working with us looks like.
At Floyd & Floyd, you work directly with Charles Floyd III or Charles Floyd IV — the attorney who drafts your plan is the attorney who answers your call five years later when something changes. We know the probate courts in Russell County, Lee County, Muscogee County, and the surrounding jurisdictions, and that familiarity helps estates move through the system smoothly. Most of all, we treat family matters the way they deserve to be treated — patiently, plainly, and in a way you’d want your own family treated.
Mr. Floyd III treated us like family. He cares about his client’s with a 360 degree holistic approach to a final solution to his client’s advantage, not the State or court system. He is an excellent lawyer, qith staff that is just as responsive as he is, with timely and accurate information to help make the best decisions possible. We app
GC III
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Client
★★★★★
Estate planning & probate, answered.
Do I really need a will?
If you own property, have children, or have preferences about how your affairs are handled, the answer is almost always yes. Without a will, Alabama laws decide who receives your property and who administers your estate — not you. A will is how you keep that choice in your hands.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
That’s called dying “intestate.” State law determines who inherits the estate and in what shares — which may or may not match what the person would have wanted. We help families navigate intestate administration when there is no will in place.
What’s the difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs what happens to your property after death and goes through probate. A trust is a legal arrangement that can hold and transfer property during your lifetime and after — often outside of probate. Each has advantages, and many families benefit from a combination of the two. We’ll help you understand what fits your situation.
How long does probate take in Alabama?
It varies. A simple estate can close in a few months; a contested or complex one can take a year or more. Good preparation, clear documents, and prompt filings make the process faster and less expensive.
What is a power of attorney, and when should I have one?
A power of attorney is a document that allows someone you trust to make financial or healthcare decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to. It’s especially important during illness, surgery, advanced age, or unexpected emergencies. Most complete estate plans include both a financial power of attorney and a healthcare directive.
Peace of mind starts with a plan.
Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a loss, a first conversation is reassuring — and often all it takes to know what your next step should be.