When a family member dies, someone usually has to deal with the court process that settles the estate — what people call probate. Lattof Injury Law helps Baldwin County and Mobile County families with that process from our office at The Wharf in Orange Beach. Call 251-432-6691. The first estate conversation is free, and we will review the estate documents you already have at no charge.

Mitch Lattof and Ashton Lattof handle estate matters alongside the firm’s personal injury work. Injury cases are most of what we do. Estate and probate are the quieter part of the practice — on purpose. Flat fees for the estate documents we draft are quoted in advance so you know the cost before you hire us.

What probate is (plain language)

Probate is the court process used to prove a will (if there is one), appoint someone to handle the estate, inventory assets, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute what remains to the people entitled to it. If there is no will, Alabama’s intestacy rules decide who inherits — that is one reason a current will matters before a crisis.

Not every estate needs a full, contested courtroom fight. Some matters are straightforward; others involve real property in more than one county, a vacation home on the Gulf, out-of-state heirs, or disagreements among family members. We will tell you honestly which situation you are in after we look at the facts.

Baldwin County and Mobile County probate — high level

Probate is handled at the county level. Baldwin County and Mobile County each have their own probate court and local filing practices. Which county is the right place to open an estate usually depends on where the person lived and where assets sit — we will confirm that for your situation rather than guess on a webpage.

We will not invent filing fees, statutory timelines, or “average” probate lengths here. Those details change and depend on the estate. What we can say: early organization of the will, death certificate, asset list, and debt information saves families time and stress.

How we help

• Free initial estate consult — ask questions before you hire anyone.
• Free review of current estate documents — wills, powers of attorney, and related papers you already have.
• Probate guidance and representation when a family needs help opening or moving an estate through Baldwin or Mobile County probate.
• Forward-looking documents so the next generation is not starting from zero — wills, powers of attorney, and related planning (flat fees quoted up front).

Personal injury remains the larger part of the firm. If you landed here after a wreck or a wrongful-death situation, say so on the call — those files often need both injury and estate coordination, and we will sort which comes first.

Related estate pages

Start with the hub that fits:

• Estate planning
• Wills
• Power of attorney

If your main need is an injury claim instead, go to practice areas or your city page under locations.

Where we meet

Lattof Injury Law — 4593 Main Street, Suite C-204, Orange Beach, AL 36561 (The Wharf). The office faces Canal Road (AL-180) and is visible from Canal Road. We also meet by phone, Zoom, or at your home when that is easier — including for families who live in Mobile County or who split time between Alabama and somewhere else.

Talk with us about probate

Call 251-432-6691 or use our contact form. Bring what you have: the will (if any), a death certificate if one exists, and a rough list of assets and debts. The first consult is free. Document work is flat-fee, quoted before you hire us.

Probate FAQ

Do I always need probate?

Not always. Some assets pass outside probate (for example, certain accounts with named beneficiaries). Whether your family still needs a probate opening depends on what was owned and how it was titled. That is a fact-specific question — worth a free consult rather than a guess.

How much does probate help cost?

It depends on the estate. We quote fees in advance for the work we agree to do. The first consult and a review of current estate documents are free.

Can you help if the will is old or missing?

Yes — we will look at what exists and explain options. If there is no will, intestacy rules may control. Planning documents for the living are a separate conversation; see wills.

Is this the main focus of the firm?

No. Personal injury is. Estate and probate are available from the same attorneys when families need them.