Entries by Pete Mackey

Will contest – lacking testamentary capacity

Following up on our earlier blogs about will contests in Alabama, I have received several emails asking “What does it mean to lack testamentary capacity?” In Alabama, lacking testamentary capacity means that a person does not possess the mental ability to make a valid will. To have testamentary capacity, a person must meet the following […]

Undue Influence in a Will Contest

Our office has already received several calls about undue influence in will contests, so I thought I would provide a little more information on what ‘Undue Influence’ is in a will contest setting. Undue influence is one of the most common grounds for contesting a will in Alabama. It occurs when someone exerts excessive pressure […]

Filing a Will Contest in the State of Alabama

Thinking about filing a will contest in the State of Alabama?  Burns, Cunningham & Mackey has been handling these cases for almost thirty years.  Such contests typically occur during probate proceedings, where the court determines whether the will is valid and oversees the distribution of the deceased’s assets. Grounds for contesting a will in Alabama […]

Car Accidents in Alabama’s Rural Areas: Unique Challenges and Safety Measures

Rural roads, despite their scenic beauty, are deceptively dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that rural areas accounted for 40% of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2021 while housing only about 15% of the U.S. population.   The heightened risk on rural roads stems from unique characteristics such as higher speed limits, less lighting, […]