Detailed Answer

Short answer: To apply to serve as administrator of your mother’s estate in Alabama when she died without a will, you must open an administration (intestate) case in the probate court of the county where she lived, file a petition asking the court to appoint you as personal representative (administrator), provide required documents (death certificate, heir information, asset list), post any required bond (or ask the court to waive it if authorized), and follow the court’s procedures for notice to creditors, inventory, administration of assets, and final accounting. This article explains the typical steps under Alabama law and points to official resources.

1. Which court handles this?

Probate courts in Alabama handle the administration of estates. You must file in the probate court of the county where your mother was domiciled (lived) at the time of death.

2. Who can be appointed administrator?

When someone dies without a will (intestate), Alabama law gives the probate court authority to appoint a personal representative (commonly called an administrator). The court normally gives priority to close family members. Typical priority order under Alabama practice includes the surviving spouse, adult children, other next of kin, or a creditor if there is no family willing and able to serve. The court will consider who is qualified, willing, and able to manage the estate. For the controlling statutes and details about probate and administration, see Alabama Code Title 43 (Probate and Administration): https://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/CodeOfAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm.

3. Step-by-step process to apply

Gather basic documents and information. Obtain your mother’s certified death certificate and assemble information about her heirs (names, addresses, dates of birth), known assets (bank accounts, real property, vehicles, insurance, safe deposit boxes), and any outstanding debts.
Contact the probate court clerk in the correct county. The clerk will tell you the local filing procedures, required forms, fees, and whether temporary/emergency relief is available (for example, to protect property right away).
File a petition to open an estate and appoint an administrator. The petition (often called a Petition For Administration or Petition For Letters of Administration) typically asks the court to open an intestate estate and appoint you as the personal representative. You will file an original and any required copies and pay the court’s filing fee.
Provide required evidence. Attach or file a certified death certificate and any documents the clerk requests (affidavit of heirs, signed statements, etc.).
Bond requirement. Most personal representatives must post a fiduciary bond to protect the estate against mismanagement. The court sets the bond amount (often based on estimated estate value). In some cases, Alabama law or local rules permit waiver or reduction of the bond (for example, if all heirs consent or if a surviving spouse is the appointee). Ask the clerk about bonding rules and whether you can request a waiver.
Notice and administration. After appointment, the administrator must publish or otherwise provide notice to creditors and file an inventory of estate assets with the court by the deadlines set by the probate rules. The administrator collects assets, pays valid debts and taxes, and distributes any remaining property to the heirs according to Alabama’s intestacy rules.
Final accounting and closing the estate. When administration is complete, you file a final account or petition to close the estate and seek discharge as administrator. The court reviews and, if satisfied, approves distribution and discharges the administrator.

4. Typical timeframes and costs

There is no fixed timeline for every estate. Small, uncontested estates can be closed in a few months; larger or contested estates may take a year or more. Expect court filing fees, costs for publishing notice, bond premium (if a surety bond is required), and possible attorney fees if you hire counsel.

5. How the estate is distributed

If your mother died without a will, Alabama’s intestacy rules determine who inherits and in what share. Those rules are part of the probate statutes; the administrator’s job is to distribute assets according to those rules after paying debts and taxes. See Alabama Code Title 43 for intestate succession rules: Alabama Code (Title 43).

6. When you should consider hiring an attorney

Consider legal help if:

There is a dispute among heirs about who should serve or about distribution.
There are complex assets (business interests, out-of-state real property, large debts, substantial tax issues).
There are potential creditor or tax claims that may be complex.
You want help preparing and filing required court documents and the inventory/accounting.

An attorney can prepare the petition, help with bond issues, and guide you through accounting and court hearings.

7. Example (hypothetical)

Hypothetical facts: Your mother lived in Jefferson County, Alabama, and died without a will. She is survived by a spouse and two adult children. You live in the same county and want to serve.

Typical actions: You would contact the Jefferson County probate court clerk, complete the petition for administration, provide the death certificate and a list of heirs, ask the court to appoint you (the surviving spouse often has priority, so if the spouse asks, the court may appoint the spouse instead), and post bond unless waived. After appointment, you would inventory the estate, provide creditor notice, pay debts, and distribute the remainder under Alabama intestacy rules.

8. Official resources and forms

Alabama Code (Probate and Administration, Title 43) — Alabama Legislature: https://www.legislature.state.al.us/aliswww/CodeOfAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm
Alabama Judicial System (Administrative Office of Courts) — for court contact information, clerk contacts, and possible local probate guidance: https://judicial.alabama.gov

Helpful Hints

Start at the probate court clerk’s office in the county where your mother lived — the clerk can give you the correct local forms and fee amounts.
Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate early; you will need them for banks, title companies, and government agencies.
Make a simple ledger of known assets and liabilities before filing; the court will want an inventory later.
Ask whether the court will accept a surety bond, a personal bond, or a waiver from heirs; bonding rules vary with estate size and local practice.
Check whether any assets are titled jointly or have designated beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) — those may pass outside probate.
Keep careful records of every payment and distribution; you will need them for the inventory and final accounting.
If a spouse or another close family member intends to serve as administrator, communicate early — courts often prefer consensual appointments.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. It summarizes common Alabama probate procedures but is not a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney or the probate court clerk in the county where the decedent lived. Laws and court practices change; contact a qualified attorney to discuss your specific situation.