Avery Brown June 10, 2025
Do You Really Need a Will in Alabama?
Why Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy
Avery Brown Avery Brown When people hear the words “estate planning,” many immediately think of the ultra-wealthy, families with mansions, businesses, and millions of dollars to their name. But here’s the truth: estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It’s for everyone.
Whether you have a modest home, a growing family, or aging parents, a well-prepared estate plan gives you peace of mind and protects the people you love most.
As a Birmingham-based attorney with over a decade of experience in estate planning and family law, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful even a simple will can be. A solid plan protects your family and helps avoid unnecessary legal battles.
Estate planning isn't about how much you have. It's about making sure what you do have goes to the right people, in the right way, at the right time.
Avery Brown
If you pass away without a will in Alabama, the state—not your family—decides how your assets are distributed. This process, called intestate succession, follows a strict formula based on your closest living relatives. It doesn’t take into account your personal wishes, who you might want to receive specific belongings, or who should manage your estate.
Without a clear plan, your loved ones may face delays, legal fees, and family disagreements during an already difficult time.
Estate planning is not only for those with vast wealth. In fact, it is often more important for families with modest means to have a plan. A well-crafted estate plan allows you to name guardians for your children, decide how your personal belongings are distributed, and appoint trusted individuals to manage your finances or make medical decisions if you become unable to do so.
It also helps keep your affairs out of probate court, saving your family time, money, and stress. Ultimately, estate planning provides clarity and control, not just over your money, but over your family’s future.
If you own a home, have children, are married or divorced, own a business, care for elderly parents, or simply want to ensure your belongings go to the right people, you need an estate plan. Even if your assets are modest, having a will or other legal documents can make a big difference in protecting your family.
Many people delay estate planning, thinking it’s something to worry about later. But life is unpredictable. The best time to put your plan in place is before you need it, not during a crisis.
At Avery Brown Law, I help families across Birmingham and Central Alabama create estate plans that offer peace of mind and protect their loved ones. Whether you need a simple will or a more detailed estate plan, I am here to guide you through every step with care and professionalism. You don’t need to be wealthy to protect what matters most; you just need a plan and the right legal partner to help you create it.
If you have questions about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other estate planning tools, contact Avery Brown Law. Serving Vestavia Hills and Birmingham since 2011, I’m dedicated to Protecting Your Legacy & Family.
Avery Brown Law
P.O. Box 660942
Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35266
Phone: (205) 296-5344
Let’s work together to protect your future and the ones you love.
Over a decade of experience helping Alabama families.