Etowah County Probate Court cases in Etowah County, Gadsden, AL
Etowah County Probate Court in Gadsden, Alabama, is a county probate court (limited-jurisdiction trial court). It handles probate and fiduciary matters, including probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and involuntary mental health commitment proceedings. The court also performs administrative functions such as issuing marriage licenses, recording deeds and other real property records, and managing certain county licensing and election duties. It does not hear criminal prosecutions, traffic offenses, or general civil or family-law litigation; those matters are handled by the Etowah County District and Circuit Courts or municipal courts within the county.
Etowah County Probate Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Probate Court |
| County: | Etowah |
| Street Address: | 800 Forrest Avenue |
| City: | Gadsden |
| Zip Code: | 35901 |
| Phone: | 256-549-5334 |
| Fax: | 256-549-5400 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm |
| Website URL: | http://etowahcounty.org/department/probate-court/ |
| Parking: | Parking is available around the courthouse. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Etowah County Probate Court
Etowah County Probate Court handles:
- Case filings and hearings for probate of wills, estate administration, creditor claims, and small estates; issuance of Letters Testamentary/Administration.
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults, including emergency/temporary protective proceedings.
- Adoption and legal name change petitions.
- Mental health and substance-abuse commitment petitions (inpatient/outpatient) and related treatment orders.
- Marriage licenses and maintenance of probate/vital records.
- Recording of real-property instruments (deeds, mortgages, plats), liens/UCCs, and certain local business licenses.
The court schedules and conducts hearings, issues orders, maintains dockets, and provides certified copies and public records access. Protection From Abuse (domestic-violence) orders and jury services are not handled by Probate Court; those are managed by the Circuit Court/Clerk. Public-facing services include forms, filing guidance, records searches, and certifications.