James Blount Griffin

Almost every adult needs an estate plan: will, powers of attorney, and sometimes, a trust. When someone dies, a close relative usually needs to open an estate in order to settle the deceased's affairs and make distributions to the heirs. Please call me if I might help you, and if I cannot, I'll try to find someone who can.

• Free Consultation
  I can usually discern during the initial telephone call if I can help you. If I can help you, we will meet to discuss your problem and goals.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Because every situation is different, standardizing fees is very hard unless it is a high-volume practice (e.g., title searches). Just as you would not select a surgeon based upon price alone, your search for a lawyer involves asking good questions. For instance: 1. What cases or matters have you handled that are similar to mine, what did you decide to do, and what were the results? The answer to this question should tell you if you were in the right lawyer’s office. 2. May I contact some of your clients or former clients? The answer to this question will tell you whether his clients love, like, or dislike him. 3. What is your preferred way to keep in touch with me, and how fast could you or a member of your staff get back to me? Poor communication is the most common complaint by clients of the legal profession. Feel free to call and ask me these questions.

Alabama

Since 2011

Georgia

Since 2001

Principal

James B. Griffin, LLC

2014 - Current

Help clients find the peace of mind re: family and property through estate planning, wills, trusts, probate law, real estate law, property law, and business succession planning. Focus directly on the clients and prefer to bill by the task than by the hour.

Associate

Bishop Colvin Johnson & Kent, LLC

2011 - 2014

Represented cities, school boards, and state agencies in land use, land acquisition, code enforcement, zoning, employment, annexation, civil rights, constitutional, and intergovernmental relations matters. Litigated appellate matters and land-use matters. Advised public officials on privacy, open records, employment, civil rights, statutory, and constitutional issues.

Associate

Law Offices of Wm. Thomas Craig

2002 - 2011

Represented county commission, development authority, and sheriff in fast-growing Atlanta metro area; litigated land-use, environmental, civil rights, and zoning matters. Acquired dozens of parcels of property for roads, public facilities, and water reservoirs. Advised elected officials on wide variety of legal matters.

Associate

Morris Manning & Martin, LLP

2001 - 2002

Practiced in real estate group of large Atlanta firm working on large commercial developments, land sales, leases, and timber leases. Assisted with defense in litigation of a Fortune 500 company facing shareholder suits.

Vanderbilt University Law School

J.D. (2001) | Law

1998 - 2001

Honors: Associate Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law Phi Delta Phi

Activities: St. Thomas More Society, Federalist Society

University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa

M.A. (1990) | History

1986 - 1990

Studied European and American history; wrote thesis on religion and constitutional development during the Revolutionary and Republican periods.

Honors: Colonial Dames Essay Award

Activities: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant

Gordon College

B.A. (1984) | Economics & History

1980 - 1984

Wrote economics thesis on the impact of land-use regulations on housing markets (which became one of my practice areas in law) and a history thesis on John F. Kennedy's effectiveness as chief executive.

Honors: Honor Society in Economics

Activities: Student Union President

Environmental Law Section of State Bar of Georgia

Chairman

2010 - 2011

Activities: Served as officer for four years and then as chairman. Organized annual conference and edited publications.

A Predictive Framework for the Effectiveness of International Criminal Tribunals

34 VAND. J. TRANSNAT’L L. 405 (2001)

2001

"Handling Ethical Issues in Engineering and Surveying Practice", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL

May 5, 2015

HalfMoon Education, Inc.

Discussed the ethics code for engineers and its practical applications.

"Land Use Law", Legal Issues for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Birmingham, AL

May 5, 2015

HalfMoon Education, Inc.

Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.

"Take a Comprehensive Look at Land Use Law", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL

October 1, 2014

National Business Institute

"Stay On Top of Environmental Considerations", Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Annexation, & Zoning, Birmingham, AL

October 1, 2014

National Business Institute

Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.

"Zoning Concerns and Planning Issues", Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, Birmingham, AL

July 30, 2013

National Business Institute

Explained how zoning law works and how you can get in trouble when requesting or making land-use decisions.

Q. Foreclosure notice received for deceased grandparents' home in Alabama; legal name issue and no estate executor.

August 21, 2025

A: You need a lawyer fast! It is hard to stop a foreclosure without facing the fact that if you don't make the payments, the lender has the right to foreclose, even if the lender gets the name wrong on the first notice. You are likely in for a fight, unless you can come up with the sum of back payments stated in the notice. The next step for them, if you do little or nothing, is to start the foreclosure process: declaration of default, notice of foreclosure, auction date, and sale. You might be able to slow them down if you make a credible showing that you are willing and able to get up to date on the payments very quickly. Once they declare default and trigger the acceleration clause, you will need a lot more money to keep the house. Look for a foreclosure specialist in the Birmingham metro area. ... Read More

Q. How to obtain a letter of testamentary in Alabama for property and bank access?

August 12, 2025

A: You have the basic ingredients. It is more complex than it appears, and when I first started doing this, I made a mistake every time I tried to file the right documents. You need to file a Petition for Probate of Will, a Petition for Letters Testamentary, and Consents from the other heirs. Every once in a while, a non-lawyer gets it right the first time. You will pay filing fees to the court and a fee for publishing notice to creditors of the opening of the estate. You will need to notify in writing the known creditors of the estate's opening. It is a turtle race requiring patience, so most people experiencing the death of a loved one hire an attorney, if not for substantial knowledge, then for their own sanity. ... Read More

Q. Is there a time limit to claim inheritance in Alabama, and can assets go to the state?

July 29, 2025

A: This is a complex question. As a general rule, no one loses a lawful inheritance without notice and a hearing. Probate is a slow, a turtle race.

Was there a Will probated for either parent? If so, an executor under the Will, likely a family member, would be in charge of the estate. If not, then their property is "intestate," that is, without a testament or will; if you are an heir for an intestate estate, and no relatives or close friends live in Alabama, the probate court appoints an administrator, usually a local attorney.

The executor/administrator's job is to: 1) gather and file inventory of the assets, 2) settle debts and claims against the estate, including funeral expenses and legal fees, and 3) pay the net proceeds of the estate to the lawful heirs, which in this case, appears to be their children. In which county is the estate being probated? Call the clerk of the probate court and ask if you might find information about the case online. Be as polite as you know how to be. If an inventory report has been filed, the clerk would know about it. She would also know whom is named as executor/administrator, whom is named as the lawful heirs, and if there are any hearings or deadlines set or done. Did you copy anything you were asked to sign? You might consider hiring a local attorney in that county to represent you because the estate's attorney does not represent you, but the estate itself through the appointed executor/administrator. Right now you are far away and blind. ... Read More