One of the most dramatic scenes often depicted on television and in movies shows a family gathered around an attorney for the reading of a loved one’s will. That scene has been portrayed so often, many people assume it is the one and only way the contents of a will are made known. In some cases, reading the will among a gathering of the family, friends, and loved ones named in the document can help lessen confusion and avoid hard feelings. However, the state of Georgia – in fact, no state – requires a will to be “read” in a public gathering as the movies depict.
Typically, the deceased person’s attorney or Executor will decide who should receive a copy of the will based on state law. In Georgia, those people will include the deceased person’s heirs and the executor, and also typically include beneficiaries, and anyone who is appointed as guardian for the decedent’s minor children. The person nominated Executor or Personal Representative must be appointed by the Probate Court so that he or she is able to administer the estate and ultimately distribute the bequests made in the will. Once a Will is probated, it becomes part of the public record and can be viewed. The procedure for obtaining a copy of a probated Will typically differs from state to state and may differ from county to county.
Typically, once a Will is in Probate, the Executor communicates with the beneficiaries regarding any bequest and when they might receive the gift, as well as, obtaining information from the beneficiary that is necessary to make the gift. In addition, in Georgia, beneficiaries are asked to acknowledge receipt of their gift so that the Executor is able to close the Estate once all distributions are made.
At Grissom Law, LLC, we can help you create an estate plan that makes your final wishes clear and helps you understand the role each person will play in carrying them out. Call Grissom Law, LLC today at 678.781.9230 to schedule an appointment to create your estate plan.
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This Blog/Web Site is made available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Grissom Law, LLC.