by Susan Grissom | Nov 10, 2020 | Probate
After someone passes, family and friends often wonder what to do next. This series will examine the steps of probate from the opening of an estate to the closing. First, you must understand what probate is. Probate is the legal, court process of distributing a...
by Susan Grissom | Nov 3, 2020 | Estate Planning, Probate
In many cases, when someone dies, the appointed executor professionally handles the estate. However, in some cases, an executor goes rogue. It seems that sometimes, a death in the family brings out the worst in people, including resentment between heirs, including the...
by Susan Grissom | Oct 27, 2020 | Probate
Part of the probate process is paying the claims that are filed. Even if a creditor doesn’t file a claim, if the executor or personal representative knows about it, he or she must still pay that liability. The personal representative must know in which order to pay...
by Madalyn Davis | Oct 20, 2020 | Business, Corporate
After you create a new business, LLC, LP, Corporation, or other entity, you will likely receive a letter titled a “Certificate of Existence Request Form” that looks similar to the one below: The letter claims that you need to send money (anywhere from $70-$100,...
by Susan Grissom | Oct 13, 2020 | Elder Care, Estate Planning
Our population is living longer, healthier, lives and continuing to live in their own homes or independent living centers. Many families live across multiple states and as their parents age, children may not be close by to help with the day-to-day tasks. While a...
by Susan Grissom | Oct 6, 2020 | Estate Planning, Special Needs Trust
If you have a family member with disabilities who relies on Medicaid and/or SSI, giving them money either as a gift during your lifetime or at death as an inheritance, may affect their government benefits, either reducing the benefit or causing them to lose the...
by Susan Grissom | Sep 29, 2020 | Estate Planning, Wills & Trust
While none of us plan to die early, life sometimes throws us curveballs. An accident could take the life of parents still caring for minor children or children who have recently become emancipated. As much as you have tried to teach your child to manage money, he or...
by Susan Grissom | Sep 22, 2020 | Estate Planning, Wills & Trust
American culture dictates that you don’t discuss money, not even with family members. However, there is an exception to that social norm, as uncomfortable as it may be. You should always discuss your estate with your adult children. A common fear of discussing your...
by Madalyn Davis | Sep 15, 2020 | Estate Planning, Wills & Trust
For many, your home or real property is probably one of your most valuable assets. Sometimes a home has been in a family for generations, or was built by a family member and holds sentimental attachments. Regardless of how you feel about your home now, you likely feel...
by Madalyn Davis | Sep 8, 2020 | Estate Planning, Wills & Trust
The last page on some Wills is called a self-proving affidavit and, in Georgia, that one page means a lot. While your Will directs your Executor how to distribute your Estate, before that person can even be appointed to begin the work, the probate court has to...
