Most Georgians believe that signing a valid will is tantamount to eliminating all disputes regarding the distribution of the maker’s assets. While this is mostly the case, a few wills can lead to more, not less, controversy among a person’s heirs about the...
ESTATE PLANNING – Estate Administration & Probate
How can families dealing with loss handle Georgia probate?
Probate is the legal procedure that determines the validity of a will. Probate can be time-consuming, costly and complicated, especially if there are disputes among the family members or creditors. However, there are some steps that families can take to handle Georgia...
What are my responsibilities if I am a personal representative of a Georgia estate?
One of your loved ones may have chosen you to be their "personal representative," which means that your responsibilities will go into effect after the person has passed on. That is a much better scenario all around than if the person passed away without a valid will...
Do my loved ones inherit through my will or my living will?
Estate planning can be confusing for many in Macon, especially given the many unfamiliar and seemingly contradictory terms used in the process. For example, you may have been told to have a living will. You filled out a boiler-plate template found online, thinking it...
Does my social media die with me?
As you scroll through your Facebook feed, you may not have thought about it, but what happens to that feed after you die? Does that social media feed die with you? Well, as it turns out, if your social media is not part of your estate plan, your social media may very...
In Georgia, how do you know if a probate is necessary?
A probate is the legal process of taking account of a decedent’s estate and wishes, and then attending to creditors’ claims and heirs’ entitlements. It’s often complex and costly, and people might wonder if this administrative hurdle can be sidestepped. When probate...
Understanding Georgia’s probate process
Many Georgia residents want to avoid the probate process, which is understandable. If you have never had to probate a will before, the process can seem complicated. You may also have heard that the probate process takes a long time, and while that is somewhat true, it...
What does the spouse receive if a person dies without a will?
Estate planning is one of those topics that people in Georgia and across the nation do not like to think about. There are many reasons why they might avoid taking the necessary steps to create even a basic will. However, despite the worry that it can cause, it is...
The firm you call for estate plans
You work your entire life to build your estate. While you are alive, that estate funds your lifestyle. However, after you pass, that estate funds your legacy. Unfortunately, the estate planning and probate process are complicated and fraught with legal landmines. That...
Should my estate plan include an incapacity plan?
If you can answer yes to the question “Have you done your estate plan yet?” congratulations! Unfortunately, if you went through an online purveyor, you may not have a complete estate plan. Even if you went through a professional, you may still have one missing piece:...