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Georgia Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Biological and step-parent dies with no will, does the step-child have rights to the step-parent's property in Georgia?

The step-parent has living relatives: Mom and siblings

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
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Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Mar 13, 2024

The simple answer is no. But, when parent died, child would be an heir to her natural parent's estate. Depending on facts of case, an equitable adoption might exist between step parent and step child that would allow for inheritance. You should see a probate lawyer about that possibility.

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security, Estate Planning, Probate and Public Benefits for Georgia on
Q: Teacher retirement benefits

If the husband dies and leaving the widow the benefits and she dies, who shall the benefits go to?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

When a teacher passes away and leaves their retirement benefits to a widow, the next steps regarding the benefits after the widow's death depend on the specific rules of the retirement system. Each retirement system has its own set of policies for the distribution of benefits after the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My friend died and I paid to bury her. Can I get paid back from her estate before the money is paid to beneficiaries?

I know that she has money in the estate.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

In the situation where you've paid for your friend's burial expenses and you believe there are funds in her estate to reimburse you, it's important to understand the legal process for handling debts and distributions from an estate. Generally, creditors, including individuals who... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Family Law and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: How can I find out if I’m a beneficiary to multi investment accounts from my deceased grandma…

I speculated my grandmas original will was swapped for a forged one reflecting my mom as the sole beneficiary and there’s nothing that I could do unless I had the original will, which I did not…

So my mom never informed the brokerage companies of my grandma death nor put it in probate.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

I'm sorry for your difficult situation. There are a few options to determine if you are still a designated beneficiary on any of your deceased grandmother's investment accounts:

1) Contact each investment firm directly (e.g. bank, brokerage, etc) providing copies of the death...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: Can my lawyer set up a bank account for my mother who is now passed and was an illegal alien? My lawyer can’t find a way

My brother passed years ago. My mom and stepdad filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but both passed before the case was won. The proceeds from the case were split in half. One half to the children of my stepdad, and the other half to the children of my mother. The children of my stepdad had no trouble... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

Setting up a bank account for someone who has passed away, particularly when they were an undocumented immigrant, can be challenging. However, there are alternative solutions to consider.

Since you and your siblings are U.S. citizens, one approach could be to establish an estate or a trust...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: Can my lawyer set up a bank account for my mother who is now passed and was an illegal alien? My lawyer can’t find a way

My brother passed years ago. My mom and stepdad filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but both passed before the case was won. The proceeds from the case were split in half. One half to the children of my stepdad, and the other half to the children of my mother. The children of my stepdad had no trouble... View More

Agnes Jury
Agnes Jury
answered on Jan 7, 2024

You may be able to apply for an Individal Taxpayer's Identification Number (ITIN) for your mom with which you should be able to open a bank account for her in the USA. If that doesn't work, you could try to start a probate case so the Court can determine that those funds do... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is my late uncle's wife entitled to his part of the inheritance?

My grandmother passed away a few years ago. Her house was left to her surviving children. Recently, 2 of his siblings passed away, both with leaving children of their own. My dad and his sisters want to do a major renovation on the house, but my uncle's widow is insistent that she's... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 4, 2024

In Georgia, the rights of a surviving spouse to an inheritance depend on how the estate was structured and the specifics of the will, if there is one. When your grandmother passed away and left her house to her surviving children, the inheritance rights would typically follow her will or, in the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is my late uncle's wife entitled to his part of the inheritance?

My grandmother passed away a few years ago. Her house was left to her surviving children. Recently, 2 of his siblings passed away, both with leaving children of their own. My dad and his sisters want to do a major renovation on the house, but my uncle's widow is insistent that she's... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Jan 3, 2024

It depends on whether your grandmother and uncle had a will. If neither of them did, then your uncle's wife and your uncle's children inherit his portion of the property. The husband and children of your aunt who is also deceased are also joint owners of the property. If your uncle or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for Georgia on
Q: My parents reside in Puerto Rico and want to contribute to my daughter's education. Is there a gift tax exclusion in PR?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 25, 2023

In Puerto Rico, like in the United States, there are provisions for gift tax exclusions. Your parents can give gifts up to a certain amount each year without incurring gift tax. As of 2023, the annual gift tax exclusion in the United States is $16,000 per recipient. Since Puerto Rico follows... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: What steps should I take to have deeds from my father's home changed to my name I'm his only child he passed last decemb
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Dec 22, 2023

You will need to file probate. The form of probate you need to file depends on whether your father left a will or not. If your father left a will, you will need to probate the will in solemn form. It is usually a better option than probating the will in common form. If your father did not leave a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My father died unexpectedly last December 9th and I am his only child. What type of attorney should I search for and

What steps should I begin taking to have the deeds transferred to my name

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 23, 2023

In Georgia, handling the estate of a deceased parent, especially transferring property deeds, requires specific legal steps. You should look for an attorney experienced in probate and estate planning. This type of attorney will guide you through the process of administering your father's... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: Can a trust be changed if terms were not applied properly?

My husband had a minors trust that ended when he turned 21 at which time his trust terms indicated that he had a right to terminate the trust and receive all funds from it. He does not remember ever being informed of this, and the terms basically say that he had six months to apply his right of... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Dec 14, 2023

In order to determine what rights your husband has, it would be necessary to review the full terms of the trust. If the trust is governed by the laws of the State of Georgia, it is possible to terminate, amend, or otherwise modify the trust with the consent of all of the beneficiaries. Schedule a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My domestic partner of 10 years passed away named me as beneficiary on insurance however, no will. Do I have rights?

We have resided together for past 10 years. After the funeral the father told me to stay in the house because that is what his son would have wanted. 3 days later different story he said that he and sister have to sell the house to pay the lawyers. They also have all monies from bank account and... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Dec 10, 2023

If you were not legally married in Georgia or another state, then your rights will be limited to what is in writing. If the life insurance policy lists you as the beneficiary, you will be entitled to the insurance proceeds. Unfortunately, if there is no will, your rights will be limited. Schedule a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Can a person that is a temporary administrator determine who can live in the deceased’s home or who needs to be evicted?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 21, 2023

No, a temporary administrator does not have the authority to determine who can live in the deceased's home or who needs to be evicted. This is because a temporary administrator is only appointed to manage the estate of the deceased until a permanent administrator or executor is appointed. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: I have a question about what “per stirpes” means in my mom’s will

I live in Georgia. My mom’s will splits her estate between me and my two sisters equally and includes the phrase “per stirpes”. I have no children (natural or adopted) and no grandchildren. If I die before my mom, who does my share of the estate go to?

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Oct 10, 2023

If you die before your mother and you have no lineal descendants born or adopted, your share would go to your two sisters or their lineal descendants should they have any. Instead of being split three ways, your mother's estate would be split two ways between your two sisters or their lineal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: As an heir to our fathers estate, do we have the right to see the bank account information that was set up for estate?

We do not know if there is a bank account set up for the estate or how much money has been put into the account.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Sep 11, 2023

Yes, you can request an accounting from the executor/administrator to see what funds have been put into the account. You can also request an inventory of personal property. If you believe the executor/administrator is mishandling estate funds or property, you can ask the court to remove them and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Georgia on
Q: My mom wants to sell her property and go into a nursing home/elder care facility & wants to avoid issues with my sibling

My sister takes care of my mother--but my sister cannot physically do it. Mom wants the sale clear and uncontestable.

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Aug 20, 2023

If your mother is on title individually and has the mental capacity to make decisions on her own, there is no way for your sister to contest the sale. If your sister is on title or your mother lacks mental capacity, things get much more difficult. Either way, schedule a free consultation to make... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Hi, My name is Denise. I am the executor of my grandmother's will, and I am trying to probate her will.

The Judge states that the codicil is not self-proven. Interrogatories to Witness to Will are being asked for. If said witnesses cannot be notified, what would be my next course of action? I have the original Will, but the original Codicil is with a copy of the Will records in another county. I did... View More

James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Aug 19, 2023

In order to be self-proven, a will or a codicil has to have a self-proving affidavit attached to it pursuant to OCGA 53-4-24. Since the codicil in question does not have a self-proving affidavit, interrogatories to the witness must be produced to confirm to the court that the will was signed as... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: If I have a mortgage on my property in Georgia, can I put the property in my trust's name?

The house has not been paid off as yet

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Aug 16, 2023

Yes, you can transfer your property to your trust. All that is required to effect the transfer is a deed.

The real question is what are the consequences if/when your lender finds out. The answer to that question depends on whether the property is residential or non-residential and whether...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: In the state of Georgia, my deceased aunt left me her estate once my uncle passes. My uncle remarried. Can this change?
James Clifton
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James Clifton
answered on Aug 15, 2023

It depends on the wording in the will, but generally, yes, it can change and often does - children, siblings, nieces, and nephews get disinherited when a parent remarries and leaves everything to the new spouse. Schedule a free consultation so that your aunt's will can get reviewed to see what... View More

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