The cost of an Alabama eviction is more than the filing fee. Here is what to budget for, and how to keep the total down by moving quickly and filing correctly the first time.
Court filing fees
Filing an unlawful detainer in an Alabama district court generally costs in the range of $250–$300, depending on the county. This is paid to the court when you file.
Service of process
The court serves the tenant, and there may be a service cost depending on how service is performed (sheriff or certified mail). Ask the clerk in your county for the current amount.
Document preparation
You can pay an attorney hundreds of dollars to draft the paperwork, or use a document preparation service. Evict My Tenant Alabama starts at $49 for a single case — far less than hourly legal drafting.
The biggest cost: lost rent
Every week a non-paying tenant stays is rent you will likely never recover. That is why speed matters: serve the right notice immediately, and file the moment the notice period expires.
How to keep costs down
- Serve the correct notice the first time to avoid restarting.
- File as soon as the notice period ends.
- Bring complete documentation to the hearing to avoid continuances.
- Use affordable document prep instead of hourly legal drafting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the eviction filing fee in Alabama?
It generally runs about $250–$300 depending on the county. Confirm the exact amount with your county district court clerk.
Can I recover eviction costs from the tenant?
A court may award you a judgment that includes unpaid rent and certain costs, but collecting on that judgment is a separate challenge.
Is it cheaper to use a document service than a lawyer?
Usually, yes. Document preparation starts at $49 per case versus hundreds of dollars for attorney drafting, though an attorney is advisable for complex or contested cases.
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