The Biggest Probate Cost People Never Consider: Your Executor’s Time (Georgia Edition)
When most people think about probate costs in Georgia, they usually think about attorney fees, court filing fees, appraisal fees, and other financial expenses. But there is one probate cost almost no one ever considers — and it’s often the most damaging: Your executor’s time. In Georgia, the person you choose to manage your estate after you pass away doesn’t just sign a few papers and hand out property. They take on a tremendous amount of responsibility at one of the most emo
The #1 Mistake That Sends Georgia Families to Probate — and how to actually protect your family
Many Georgia families believe they’re “covered” because a loved one signed a will. That assumption — that a will alone is an estate plan — is the single biggest mistake that lands families in probate court. This post explains why a will is not enough, what probate looks like in Georgia, the legal alternatives (and the statutes behind them), and practical steps you can take today to protect your family. 1) A will is not an estate plan — it’s instructions to a judge A will ex
How Long Is Probate?
What Probate Actually Is in Georgia — and How Long It Really Takes If you’ve ever heard the word “probate” and wondered what it actually means, you’re not alone. Many Georgia families don’t realize what’s involved until they’re in the middle of it — and by then, it can be a long, emotional, and expensive process. What Is Probate? Probate is the legal process a Georgia court uses to verify a will and oversee the distribution of a deceased person’s assets. It ensures that all
🐾 How Pet Trusts Work in Georgia: Protecting Your Pets Through Estate Planning
When it comes to estate planning, most people think about wills, real estate, and bank accounts. But what about your beloved pets? If...
Understanding the Acknowledgment Form in a Georgia Petition for Letters of Administration
By The Black Firm If a loved one passes away without a will in Georgia, their estate must go through a legal process called intestate...
Will Medicare or Social Security Take My Parents’ Property If They're Placed in a Care Facility?
At The Black Firm , concerned family members often ask what might happen to a loved one's property if they are placed in a care facility....
Understanding Transfer on Death Beneficiaries and Estate Planning in Georgia
By: Attorney Black Hi everyone, Attorney Black here! Today, I’m diving into an important question from Nicole: “Have the laws regarding...
Understanding Transfer on Death Deeds in Georgia: New Law Enacted July 1, 2024
By: Attorney Black What is a Transfer on Death Deed A Transfer on Death (TOD) deed is a legal document that allows an individual (the...
The Importance of Estate Planning: A Legacy of Care
By Attorney Black When it comes to estate planning, there’s one universal truth we all need to confront: life goes on. While this concept...
Estate Planning 101
Estate planning is an area of law that will, at some point, affect everyone. Estate planning laws organize the process by which we...
