Our Services
Practice Areas
Estate planning, probate, and business law for individuals, families, and business owners in Shelby County and Central Alabama.
Where to start
Most people who call Carden Legal Services are in one of three situations. They want a plan in place before anything happens. Someone in the family has died and they need to know what to do next. Or they own a business and want the legal side handled correctly.
The firm's work follows those three situations. Find the one that fits you below. If you are not sure which one it is, call (205) 201-1297 and we can sort it out together.
Planning Ahead
Estate Planning
Estate planning is the work you do ahead of time. It puts in writing who receives your property, who can handle your finances if you cannot, and who can make health care decisions when you cannot speak for yourself.
A complete plan usually involves several documents that work together.
Last Will and Testament
Directs who receives your property, names a personal representative, and can nominate guardians for minor children. Testamentary trusts are prepared as part of the will
Revocable Living Trust
Manages assets during your life, addresses incapacity, and provides for distribution after death. Includes trust amendments, restatements, and pet trusts.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes a person you trust to handle financial, legal, and property matters if you need help or become incapacitated.
Advance Directives and Living Wills
Documents your health care wishes and names a health care proxy. Includes the living will and HIPAA authorization.
Estate Plan Review and Update
A review of existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care documents, deeds, and beneficiary designations to find what needs updating.
Deed Preparation and Property Transfers
Deeds for estate planning and family transfers, coordinated with your will, trust, or survivorship plan.
After death
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate and estate administration is the legal work that follows a death.
It includes determining whether there is a valid will, having a personal representative appointed, addressing creditor claims, and distributing what remains to the people entitled to receive it.
Carden Legal Services represents executors, administrators, and families, and regularly handles Shelby County probate matters.
Probate and Estate Administration
Administration from the opening petition through final settlement, including court filings, notices, creditor matters, and distributions.
Dying Without a Will in Alabama
When there is no valid will, Alabama intestacy law determines the heirs and their shares. We help families determine heirship and administer the estate.
Executor and Personal Representative Help
Guidance on deadlines, creditor claims, recordkeeping, property sales, distributions, and court requirements.
Small Estate and Summary Distribution
Some qualifying Alabama estates may use a simplified procedure in place of a full administration.
Heir Property and Probate Real Estate
Help when real estate is still in a deceased owner's name or has passed through several generations.
Ancillary Probate
The Alabama proceeding that may be needed when someone who lived in another state owned real estate here.
For Business Owners
Business Law
Carden Legal Services advises small and closely held businesses on formation, operating agreements, contracts, governance, ownership changes, and succession planning.
For owners, business planning and estate planning can be handled together so the documents agree with each other.
LLC Formation
Forming an Alabama limited liability company, including the certificate of formation and operating agreement.
Business Formation and Entity Selection
Choosing and forming the right Alabama entity, including corporations and governance documents.
Operating and Partnership Agreements
Agreements covering ownership, management, voting, distributions, transfers, and exits.
Business Contracts and Contract Review
Drafting and reviewing service, vendor, independent contractor, lease, and other commercial agreements.
Business Succession and Buy-Sell Agreements
Planning for what happens to the business when an owner retires, becomes incapacitated, dies, or leaves.
Buying, Selling, or Closing a Business
Purchase and sale agreements, and winding down an Alabama business.
How the firm Works
Working with Carden Legal Services
You work directly with the attorney handling your matter. You are not handed from lawyer to lawyer.
Estate planning and many uncontested probate matters are generally handled on a flat-fee basis, with the fee explained before work begins. Complex or unusual matters may require a different arrangement.
Meetings are available by Google Meet, by phone, or in person by appointment in Columbiana, Alabaster, or Calera.
Common Questions
Find straightforward answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive about handwritten wills, intestacy, and the probate process in Alabama. For personalized guidance, our team is ready to assist.
What is the difference between estate planning and probate?
Estate planning happens during your lifetime. It is the preparation of documents such as a will, a trust, a durable power of attorney, and an advance directive. Probate happens after a death. It is the process of administering the estate of the person who died, whether or not there was a will.
Can my estate plan and my business planning be handled together?
Yes. Carden Legal Services handles both, so an operating agreement, a buy-sell arrangement, and an estate plan can be designed together. Each of them can affect who controls the company and what happens to an owner's interest after incapacity, retirement, or death.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Carden Legal Services, LLC serves clients in the following Alabama locations: Birmingham, Alabaster, Helena, Pelham, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Chilton County, Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook, Wetumpka, Tuskegee, Selma, Troy, Greenville, Autauga County, Montgomery County, Elmore County, Tri-County Region, River Region, Central Alabama, Alabama statewide.