Wills / Probate

Under Georgia law, if you do not have a Last Will & Testament, then the State of Georgia will decide how to distribute your estate. If you have a spouse and children, this could mean that your spouse will then co-own a part of your estate (such as your home and automobile) along with your children. This includes children from a prior marriage.

The smart way to take care of your estate is to have a simple Last Will & Testament. This will ensure that your property is distributed according to your wishes. This takes the State of Georgia out of the picture.

We get questions about whether someone who does not own a house really needs a Last Will & Testament. Our answer is that everyone needs a Last Will & Testament. There might be circumstances where your estate will need to take legal actions after your death. A properly drafted Last Will & Testament ensures that this action can take place with minimal costs and that your wishes are followed.

In drafting your Last Will & Testament, we will also review the requirements of Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and General Powers of Attorneys. These documents complete the planning of your estate.

Are Trusts a necessary document to avoid the costs of Probate? The quick answer is NO. Probate in Georgia is easy and the costs are minimal if you have a Last Will & Testament. However, if you do not have a Will, then the costs go up dramatically.

In some instances, an Estate may have a high enough value to cause concerns about Estate and Death Taxes. While we do not perform complicated Estate Planning, we will ensure that you are referred to an attorney who can ensure that proper steps are taken to reduce or eliminate any Estate or Death Taxes.

We handle Probate matters in Cobb County, Douglas County, Paulding County, Carroll County, and all other Metro Atlanta Counties.

Call us to discuss this matter further: 770-943-3737.