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Georgia Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: my mom passed away in june 2017 and she didn't have a will, does my step dad and his adult kids get my mom whole inherit

she had $100.000 in her savings acct when she passed away and also has money invested in gold and silver

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Dec 29, 2017

If your mother died without a will, property in her probate estate would pass to her heirs. Her heirs would be her husband and her children who survived her (with the descendants of a child who predeceased her to receive the share of the deceased child). The surviving spouse is entitled to a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: My grandmom left her home to her 3 children. My mom passed away, and grandma died so am I entitled to my mothers portion
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Dec 30, 2017

I can't tell from your question how your grandmother left her home to three children. Was there a will? Did the will leave the home to the three children? Did your mother live longer than her mother? Exact answers to these questions determine the outcome/

.

If there is a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Collections and Consumer Law for Georgia on
Q: How to Explain a large deposite to a lender? It’s a gift from a friend.
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Dec 18, 2017

Telling them 'it was a gift from a friend' sounds like the start of an explanation. The friend will probably also need to provide the lender a 'gift' letter. And if the gift was large enough to exceed the annual exclusion amount, your friend will probably also need to file a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: Can I get papers done so that my son stays with my sister if, Lord forbid I am in a coma or die ?

The father hasn't had a relationship with our son and doesn't want to (and is a convicted felon for a sex crime). I live with my sister and niece and that's all the family my son really knows and loves so much.

Regina Irene Edwards
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Regina Irene Edwards pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 3, 2017

Children can not be willed to another person, nor can you terminate the father's rights. If you pass away, your sister will have to apply for guardianship. The father has the right to ask for custody if he chooses. Your sister would have to prove he is unfit in order to win custody over the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: With no will, can a minor grandchild inherit a house if the deceased told this to 7 adults, two weeks before he passed ?

Also he had a twenty year girlfriend who he absolutely held out as nothing more than just that. Would she have any claims given she lived with him, under those circumstances ? What would be the proper sequence of actions to take given these issues?

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Dec 2, 2017

I assume from your question that the grandfather died without a will. If so, then his estate will pass to his spouse and his children. Without a will, the grandchild will not inherit anything unless the grandchild's parent has passed away and the grandchild inherits whatever his parent would... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My grandmother recently passed away. Her name was on the deed along with other family members.

If the deed states survivorship does her name have to be removed in order to sell the property. Or is it the remaining members have rights to make decision on behave of the deed. If it states Survivorship does it still have to go through probate court.

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Nov 17, 2017

In Georgia, if property is owned by more than one owner as joint tenants with right of survivorship, upon the death of an owner, the property would be owned by the other owners. On the other hand, if property is owned by more than one owner as tenants in common, the interest of a deceased owner... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My grandfather passed, While he was living he wrote cashiers checks out to himself. What can “we”, the Estate do ?

Can the checks be deposited in his accounts ?

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Nov 15, 2017

They can be deposited into his estate account.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: Father passed away without a will. There are 3 heirs. How do you begin the process if no one agrees on who should admin.
John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Nov 7, 2017

An heir (i.e., a person who is an heir of the decedent under Georgia) may file a petition for letters of administration. All other heirs must be served with notice of the petition if they do not consent to it. If an heir objects to the petition, then the probate court would choose the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: We have a 80,000 insurance claim coming, how will it be divided among the estate?

The insurance claim is resulting from injuries that caused his death. We were told by the company that we had to include the siblings in the estate. So we have his current wife, my sister and I, and his 7 siblings included. Does this money get divided evenly?

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Oct 26, 2017

If life insurance proceeds are payable to the estate and become property of the estate, what happens to those proceeds depends on several factors. Property of an estate generally must be used to pay expenses of administration and debts of the decedent. After obligations of the estate are... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Car Accidents and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: My dad died last year from injuries resulting from a car accident. Who can be included in the estate for the law suit?
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Oct 27, 2017

If it is a wrongful death claim (I don't know from the facts you give) then your father's spouse will bring the claim, but she must divide the money with all the children. If it is a personal injury claim, then the money goes into your Dad's estate for distribution in accordance with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Are grandchildren entitled to back pay from grandfather giving a tax free 14000 after his wife passed away?

My grandfather remarried in 2004 and and in 2016 his wife passed away. Ironically he gave his kids and grandkids a 14000 tax free gift after she passed away. Ironically from 2004-2016 he never gave us a gift and I believe his 2nd wife talked him out of giving it to us. Would I as one of the... View More

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Oct 21, 2017

No one is entitled to a gift. Regardless of the reason your grandfather elected not to make gifts you you, you have no recourse against anyone.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Georgia on
Q: My Husband of 18 years passed away. In the Will it stated I am to live in our home until my death but in next paragraph

Leaves his daughter my stepdaughter as the executor of the will and power of attorney. He was the only source of our income for the last 18 years. It's sad anytime that the children if needed To sell they can. He was angry with me at the time he wrote it. Do I have Any rights Or can she sell... View More

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Oct 12, 2017

I recommend that you immediately retain the services of a probate attorney to obtain legal advice about this matter. A probate attorney can advise you of your rights after reviewing the pertinent documents and facts related to your particular situation. In Georgia, a surviving spouse may be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: So my son has his father whole name does this give him more rights to my son and can he take my son
Ellaretha Coleman
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Ellaretha Coleman
answered on Oct 1, 2017

If the father has not legitimized he does not have rights to custody or visitation of your son regardless of whether he has his name.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: I am the executor of the estate for my mother and father and both of their names are listed on deed/property. Today, I

Tried to sell property and could not complete closing because closing attorney stated they had to make check out to the estate of my mother and the estate of my father as one check.The bank will not accept check in both names. Closing attorney states title company refuses to cut 2 separate checks:... View More

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Sep 25, 2017

Assuming I understand you correctly, you are the administrator for each of the estates, and have opened an estate bank account for each estate. I assume that each of your parents owned an undivided interest in the property as a tenant in common. I would think that if you endorsed the check as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: A friend dies and left me as executor in her will. In the state of Georgia, does the will have to be registered in proba

There is real estate involved with 2 living daughters. The daughter claim that the will( in their possession) does not have to be registered in probate court.

John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Sep 21, 2017

Georgia law provides that a person holding the will of a deceased person must file the will with the probate court in the county in which the decedent resided. If there is property in the estate to be administered (e.g., real estate), the person named as executor will have to file a petition to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Georgia on
Q: My mother passed in July. She designated me as the beneficiary of a payable on death account, but she also owes car loan

I would like to know if distribution of the funds are contingent on satisfaction of the loan. A petition to probate has been filed and the credit union can procure funds from my the sale of my mom's non exempt assets. Can I demand that they distribute the pod funds in a check and simply... View More

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Sep 13, 2017

It all depends entirely on the wording of the loan agreement. While the loan us an estate obligation, if your mother secured the loan with her accounts at the credit union, then it might be that the account is pledged as security for the loan. You might be able to demand repayment from estate if... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is it mandatory to file a Will in Georgia even if no probate is anticipated?
John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Sep 7, 2017

O.C.G.A. Sec. 53-5-5 provides: "A person having possession of a will shall file it with reasonable promptness with the probate court of the county having jurisdiction. The probate court may attach for contempt and may fine and imprison a person withholding a will until the will is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: My mother passed away on 3/25/17 without a will. Her heirs are her 2nd husband, myself, my brother, & my 3 children.

My children, my husband & I lived with my mother & step dad for 4 yrs so I could take care of her. While we lived there, my mother gave me full control of her finances by adding me to her checking account & had me manage all the bills, money, & food for the 6 of us (step dad not... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Sep 2, 2017

Let me edit your question in one regard: "I cant afford an attorney" -- no you can't afford to NOT have an attorney. There are things you may be able to do, but without exploring the facts more fully it is impossible to say. The ONLY way to know is to get an attorney, preferably when... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: I have a settlement check in my deceased husbands name. What do I have to do to cash it?
John W. Chambers Jr
John W. Chambers Jr
answered on Aug 24, 2017

Generally, if a check is payable to a deceased person, a person would have to be appointed as personal representative of his estate by the probate court. If the decedent had a will, the executor would have to petition the court to probate the will. If the decedent died without a will, someone... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Estate Planning, Child Support and Collections for Georgia on
Q: Temporary child custody to grandparents because I am temporarily homeless and I brought my kids to them to have a home

I am 23 with two kids 3 and 7 months old. I recently became homeless and didn't want my kids to be homeless therefore I brought them to my parents house for a temporary living place while I get back on my feet. They want me to sign papers. What are my rights and what should I do? I want to get... View More

William C. Head
William C. Head pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 13, 2017

You are being asked to give up your legal rights, to your parents. If you sign the papers, that will be the final ruling, most likely. Because I cannot judge WHAT IS BEST FOR THESE CHILDREN, there is no way to give more of an answer. But, that issue should be your guiding light, not what you want.... View More

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