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. Are libel claims to remove an Estate Personal Representative in Alabama considered fraudulent?

March 31, 2025

A: Libel is easy to commit but hard to prove, especially to prove damages. I would argue, if I were the other side's lawyer, that you won the battle, shot down their objections to your administration, and got a court order in your favor. Thus, I'd argue that your victory vindicated you so well that your reputation is intact and that you should NOT be able to collect damages from your overreaching but now regretful accusers. You know the situation better than I, but I would suggest you to stick with your mission: settle the estate and move on. The second tangle might be more bitter than the first.

Q. Seeking advice about rights and recourse for mother's house sold after probate in Alabama.

March 31, 2025

A: If the home was held by the married couple as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship," then your stepfather got complete ownership the day your mother died. The stepsiblings sold it and pocketed the proceeds and thank your brother cheerfully for paying the taxes. If the deed of title for the property said something else, then you and your brother might have some rights to it, but you might have to reopen the estate, file objections, etc. This requires a Walker County lawyer, or, at least, a north Jefferson County or north Tuscaloosa County lawyer who is fearless about shaking things up in Walker County.

Q. Mother passed with no will; how to retain home when I'm paying the mortgage?

March 31, 2025

A: You will likely need to open an estate in her name under the laws of "intestate succession," that is, probate for someone who died without a will. The heirship is determined by state law by these priorities: widows, orphans, surviving parents, surviving siblings, surviving nieces and nephews. If your deceased siblings have children, they will have interests in the land/home too. Go into the Mobile County Probate Court and ask for instructions and forms, but you really need a local attorney, especially in that county. The probate judge there is meticulous and strict. A Mobile attorney familiar with probate procedures is what you will need.