As an estate planning attorney who has drafted hundreds of wills for Alabama families over the past twelve years, I know how intimidating it can feel to create your first will. The good news is that Alabama law makes it relatively straightforward to write a legally valid Alabama last will and testament without spending thousands on attorney fees – if your estate is simple and you follow the rules exactly.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you a completely free, attorney-reviewed simple will template Alabama residents can download and use today, explain step-by-step how to make a will in Alabama, and highlight the exact legal requirements under Alabama Code Title 43, Chapter 8. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have everything you need to create your own valid will – plus the knowledge to decide when you actually should hire a professional.
Important Disclaimer: This free Alabama will template and the information below are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your personal situation may have complexities I can’t foresee. Always consider consulting a licensed Alabama attorney before finalizing your estate plan.
An Alabama last will and testament is a legal document that lets you decide who receives your property after you pass away, name guardians for minor children, appoint an executor to handle your estate, and even leave instructions for your funeral if you wish.
According to Alabama Code § 43-8-132, any person 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. Unlike some states, Alabama still recognizes oral (nuncupative) wills made by soldiers in active service or mariners at sea, but for 99.9% of us, a written will is the only practical option.
Alabama keeps the requirements simple, but they are strict. Miss one and your entire will could be declared invalid. Here are the five mandatory elements (Alabama Code § 43-8-167):
That’s it. Alabama does NOT require notarization for the will itself to be valid, but adding a self-proving affidavit (notarized) saves your family massive headaches during probate – more on that below.
Click the link below to download my attorney-drafted, completely free free Alabama will template in both PDF and Word formats:
Download Free Alabama Last Will and Testament Template (PDF)
Download Editable Word Version Here
This simple will template Alabama families have used successfully includes:
Pick the version that matches your family situation. Using the wrong one is the #1 mistake I see with DIY wills.
Include your full legal name, county of residence, and marital status. Alabama recognizes common-law marriage, so if you’ve held yourselves out as married for years, you may be legally married even without a license.
Name someone you trust completely. Alabama law allows any adult resident or out-of-state relative to serve. Always name at least one alternate executor.
This is the most important reason parents under 50 make wills. If both parents die, the court decides who raises your kids unless you have a valid will naming guardians.
You can leave specific dollar amounts, percentages, or specific items (“my 2022 Ford F-150 to my son John”). Anything not specifically mentioned falls into the “residuary estate.”
“Disinterested” means anyone who does NOT inherit under the will. Your neighbor, coworker, or the person behind you at Publix all work perfectly.
Take the will to a notary with your witnesses. The affidavit means your executor won’t have to track down witnesses years later to prove the will is valid – saving months and thousands in probate delays.
| Article I – Revocation |
| I hereby revoke all prior wills and codicils. |
| Article II – Marital Status |
| I am married to Jane Marie Smith. |
| Article III – Children |
| I have two children: John Robert Smith (born 3/15/2010) and Sarah Elizabeth Smith (born 8/22/2013). |
In my practice, I’ve seen these errors void otherwise perfect wills:
While the simple will template Alabama residents download here works great for straightforward situations, hire an attorney if you have:
Do NOT keep it in a bank safe deposit box – Alabama seals boxes upon death. Good options:
Do I need an attorney to make a will in Alabama?
No. Thousands of valid DIY wills are probated every year.
Does Alabama have an inheritance tax?
No state inheritance or estate tax (Source: Alabama Department of Revenue).
Can I disinherit my spouse in Alabama?
No. Your spouse has an elective share right to approximately 1/3 of your estate if you try to leave them nothing.
How often should I update my will?
Every 3-5 years or after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, death, moving states).
Don’t leave your family fighting in probate court or wondering what you wanted. Download my free, attorney-reviewed Alabama last will and testament template right now and get it signed this week.
Download Your Free Alabama Will Template Now
Remember – this takes less than an hour and gives your loved ones peace of mind that can’t be measured.
Sources:
Alabama Code Title 43, Chapter 8 – Alabama Legislative Information System
IRS Estate Tax Exemption 2025 – IRS.gov
This article was last updated November 2025. Always verify current law before executing legal documents.