ESTATE PLANNING – Estate Administration & Probate

An estate executor is the person who administers an estate after another individual passes away. There are many different duties and responsibilities that they have to take on. Some of these are procedural. They may need to obtain copies of the death certificate, for...

Probate is the process of validating a will and giving an executor (personal representative) the authority to settle the estate. In Georgia, a will may be submitted for probate in either “common” or “solemn” form for validation. The primary difference between the two...

Property disputes are among the most common difficulties families face when administering an estate. These disagreements may involve a primary residence, inherited land, rental property or personal belongings with sentimental value. Although a dispute may initially...

Blended families often create a family by bringing together new relationships, shared responsibilities and long-term goals. While creating a new chapter can be exciting, it also makes planning for the future even more important. A carefully prepared estate plan can...

Appointing someone as your estate executor (officially known in Georgia as a personal representative) is not a task to take lightly. It is a role that comes with a lot of responsibility, and someone who is not up to that responsibility could make things a lot more...

During estate administration, any outstanding debt should be addressed by the estate executor or estate administrator. Often, creditors can make a claim against an estate because they are still owed the money that is due. Debts are not simply erased because a person...

Title claims can endanger an ownership interest in real property. If an outside party has a credible claim to an interest in the property, the matter may require the review of a civil court judge. Title disputes are sometimes the result of fraud. Other times, the...

The most common way to pass assets on to beneficiaries is by using an estate plan. If you write a will, you can select certain beneficiaries who should receive financial assets, tangible assets, real estate, family heirlooms and much more. You can also set up a trust...

Most people think of wills and possibly trusts when they think about estate planning. However, there are a number of other tools that can keep assets out of probate court and strengthen an estate plan. Homeowners who want to ensure that the people living with them can...

Losing a loved one can bring enough emotional pain without the added stress of a legal maze. Managing an estate in Georgia requires precision to protect the financial future of a family. How can you navigate this process without making costly errors? Navigating the...