Jefferson County Probate Court

The Jefferson County Probate Court is a specialized court of law administering the distribution of assets and debts following the death of a person. The court was separated from the primary Jefferson County Court by an 1850 act of the Alabama State Legislature, creating courts of probate for each county. Following the establishment of the Bessemer Cut-Off in 1915, the Jefferson County Commission created a deputy judge seat in 1926 to serve that division. In 1980 a second judge was added to the court, establishing 2 "places".

In accordance with its primary responsibility of settling estates, the probate court also maintains records of land transaction deeds, mortgages, marriages, name changes, legitimations of children born outside marriage, guardianships, adoptions, the formation of trusts, conservatorships, and the commitment of persons due to mental illness. In addition, the Judge of Probate serves as the county's Chief Election Official.

Probate Judges

• Joab Bagley, July 1850–July 1856
• Moses Kelly Jr, July 1856–May 1862
• William L. Wilson, May 5, 1862–August 1865
• John Morrow, August 1865–November 8, 1884
• Mitchell Porter, November 8, 1884–October 1898
• J. P. Stiles, November 1898–November 1904
• Samuel Greene, December 1904–January 1911
• J. P. Stiles, January 1911–August 1931
• Eugene Hawkins, August 1931–June 1942
• Henry Howze, June 1942–September 1945
• Eugene Hawkins, September 1945–January 1947
• Tom Garner, January 1947–August 1955
• G. C. Boner, September 1955–June 1956
• Guy Hanna, June 1956–November 1956
• J. Paul Meeks, November 1956–January 1977
• O. H. Florence, January 1977–1980
• O. H. Florence (Place 1) and George Reynolds (Place 2), 1980–1989
• George Reynolds (Place 1) and Michael Bolin (Place 2), 1989–2001
• Michael Bolin (Place 1) and Alan King (Place 2), 2001–2005
• Mark Gaines (Place 1) and Alan King (Place 2), 2005–2007
• Alan King (Place 1) and Sherri Friday (Place 2), 2007–June 30, 2020
• Jim Naftel (Place 1) and Sherri Friday (Place 2), July 1, 2020–

Deputy Probate Judge for the Bessemer District

• Sam Huey, 1926–1938
• J. C. B. Gwin, 1938–1946
• Gurley Vines, 1946–1953
  • Frances Patton (acting), 1953
• Charlie Thames, 1953–1956
• J. Harris Moore, 1956–1967
• A. Guy White, 1967–1972
• Geraldine Matthews, 1972–1974
• O. D. Huey, 1974–1980
• Mildred Wright, 1980–1989
• John Rockett, 1989–1992
• Grover Dunn, 1993–2001
• Eddie Vines, 2001–2005
• Matthew Reynolds, 2005–2007
• Cynthia Vines Butler, 2007–2013
• Elizabeth North, 2013-

References

• Probate Judges of Jefferson County Alabama, compiled by Sam Rumore, at jeffcoprobatecourt.com

External links

• Jefferson County Probate Court website