by Susan Grissom | Sep 27, 2022 | Estate Planning, Probate
A common statement in many Last Will and Testaments is that the estate will be “distributed to my heirs at law.” Georgia statutes define who the heirs at law are in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA), Section 53-2-1, as follows: The spouse is the heir if...
by Susan Grissom | Aug 30, 2022 | Probate, Wills & Trust
When you create a Will in Georgia, you must make sure it is valid. The probate court determines the validity of a Will based on the statutes. If the probate court finds that your Will is not valid, it processes the Will as if you were to die intestate – without a...
by Susan Grissom | Jan 4, 2022 | Estate Planning, Probate
Many misconceptions and myths surrounding probate and estate plans circulate through families, gossip at the coffee shop, or talk among friends. Some of these misconceptions can cause a lot of trouble for during your lifetime and for your family after you pass....
by Susan Grissom | Dec 7, 2021 | Elder Care, Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Trust
One of the first questions we receive from families when a loved one dies, is who can access the decedent’s bank account to pay bills or to see what is being drafted from the account. This question is not one that is easily answered, because whether the account...
by Susan Grissom | Nov 9, 2021 | Probate
Probate in Georgia generally takes at least a year from opening the estate to closing the estate. Some assets must go through the entire probate process, and some can be dispersed immediately. The probate process can become daunting, so it is always best to retain a...
by Susan Grissom | Nov 2, 2021 | Probate
When a Georgia resident dies, his or her estate generally goes through probate. Having a Will does not avoid probate, it only directs where your property goes. Certain circumstances do allow property to bypass the probate process. Whether you die with or without a...
