Before a deceased person’s assets can be distributed to their heirs, their will has to be validated and their estate’s debts must be settled. This happens during the probate process, and it can drag on for months. Georgia residents who wish to avoid probate often...
Probate
The facts about wills and probate
Probate is a process that validates a will and appoints an estate executor or administrator who settles estate debts and distributes assets to heirs and beneficiaries. Understanding the Georgia probate process makes it easier to create an effective estate plan....
How long will probate take in Georgia?
The average length of time for probate in Georgia is 12–18 months. Conflict over the estate could cause it to take longer, as the executor must wait on the court to resolve legal issues. Estates that have unusual assets like race horses and collectibles may take...
What does probate mean for estate administration?
When someone has their will taken care of at the time of their death in Georgia, it's called testate. In this case, the property goes straight to any beneficiary that the decedent has designated in their will usually without difficulty. What happens when someone...
What is probate, and how can you avoid it?
Many Georgia estates end up going through probate. Understanding what this is and how you can avoid it can help you protect your estate and heirs in the future. What is probate? Probate is the legal process that a person’s estate goes through after they have passed...
Estate plan pitfalls to avoid
In Georgia, much like other states, estate planning is full of potential problems and risks for the unwary. Understanding the process will prevent a lot of mistakes and issues down the line. Estate Planning There are a lot of mistakes that you can avoid just by paying...
Using a CD to bypass probate
The owner of a will or estate in Georgia does not have to go through the probate court. It is generally a complicated process that could take years to complete. Having a certificate of deposit does not make it any harder to avoid probate, and its owner can avoid...
Not every will needs to go through probate
Preparing your will or estate plan is a must in the state of Georgia. This will be the best way to make sure that your property and other assets are divided in the way you wish. However, there are plenty of circumstances under which a will may still have to go through...
Facts about probate in Georgia
Probate is a process that takes place after a property owner dies. The goal of probate is to ensure that the deceased person's property gets distributed according to their will. The probate process can be complicated, so there are a number of things you need to know...
Preparing a will in Georgia in 4 steps
If you are considering planning your estate, creating a will and the probate process may be on your mind. It is important to think about them, and, ultimately, create a comprehensive will before it is too late. Granted, preparing a will can take time, but being...