Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Probate legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Georgia Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Georgia on
Q: on a special warranty deed with husband and wife name followed by "joint tenancy", are rights of survivorship automatic
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 29, 2024

If the tenancy was intended to be joint tenancy and not tenancy in common, survivorship rights should be automatic. If that is the case, the only thing necessary to vest title in the survivor would be a Affidavit of Survivorship and a copy of the death certificate. A complete review of the deed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: How do I preplace my name for my deceased on the home's deed which is listed as tenants in common

I am the executor of her state and have gone through probate but did not change the name at the time. I live in Florida, my mom's house in in Augusta ,Ga

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Oct 22, 2024

It depends on where probate was completed. If probate was completed within the State of Georgia, you will only need an executor's deed to transfer the property. If the probate was completed outside of the State of Georgia, you will need exemplified copies of the letters testamentary and will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Georgia on
Q: Should I agree to grant all powers to my brother who we have chosen as the administrator of my mothers intestate estate?

My mother died intestate leaving only a car and saving/bonds/stocks/IRA's worth a large sum of money. The 4 children have all agreed that one brother can act as an administrator. Should I consent to grant all powers to him like his attorney suggests? Waiver of bonding, waive reports to the... View More

Robert W. Hughes Jr.
Robert W. Hughes Jr.
answered on Oct 11, 2024

Where you live is immaterial. Where the estate is being opened is what matters as that state's laws will govern the administration of the estate. Whether you should consent to granting powers, excusing reporting and not requiring a bond all comes down to trust. Is your brother going to do the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: If a named beneficiary in a Will is already deceased, has no spouse and no dependents where/who does the benefits go?
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 14, 2024

It depends on whether the bequest was given in the will per stirpes or per capita. If per stirpes, the gift flows to the lineal descendants of the beneficiary - children, grand children, great grandchildren, etc. If there are no lineal descendants, the bequest goes to the residuary beneficiary in... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Is a Transfer on Death Deed legal in Georgia?
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 11, 2024

Yes, as of July of 2024, transfer on death deeds are legal and enforceable in the state of Georgia. The transferee does not become an owner of the property until the death of the transferor. The transferee is required to file an affidavit within 9 months of the death of the transferor. If no... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Contest & objection to will same? adding evidence such as a prenup to the will that was probated in Georgia contesting?
Jake  Slowik
Jake Slowik
answered on Sep 11, 2024

In Georgia, introducing a prenup as evidence to a probated will isn't automatically a contest.

Will contest: Formal challenge to will validity (e.g., lack of capacity, undue influence)

Objection: Less formal concern about specific provisions of a will or administration...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Contest & objection to will same? adding evidence such as a prenup to the will that was probated in Georgia contesting?
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 5, 2024

An objection to a will is known as a caveat. A prenuptial agreement, which is a contract between two parties, may affect the assets that are included in the estate. If there are items in the prenuptial agreement that should not be included in the estate, the rightful owner will need to file a... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: If my mom had no will, will it be split up between my dad and I .
James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Sep 3, 2024

Yes, your mother's estate will be split according to the laws of intestacy. The split percentage depends on the number of children your mother had. If you are an only child, you and your father will each get 50%. If there were multiple children, your father will receive no less than 1/3 of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Georgia on
Q: Can we change the name on a deed from a deceased person to facilitate a sale

I am in touch with the deceased owners son who is willing to sale. We just need to figure out the deed and we are ready to move

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Aug 29, 2024

To change the name on a deed from a deceased person to facilitate a sale, a legal process such as probate is typically required. Probate is necessary to transfer ownership from the deceased to their heirs or beneficiaries. Once probate is completed, the executor or personal representative can sign... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Does an ex-girlfriend have standing to claim her deceased ex-boyfriend's estate? (Georgia, USA)

There is a lot of information to write down. The situation in short is my family member is dead. His girlfriend broke up with him, according to a documented police report & body cam footage, the night he died in an accident. She now provides a Living Will (Not Will & last testament) printed... View More

Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 22, 2024

Please note that I am not admitted to practice law in Georgia, but I found this information through a brief Google search, and the requirements in Georgia are similar to those in most states. In Georgia, for a will to be valid, it must meet specific requirements, such as being in writing, signed by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Georgia on
Q: RE: Petition for Discharge of Personal Repres for my brother's estate. I am unclear what info is needed in Paragraph 4?

Only two Heirs (sons), all debt has been paid

Does an attorney need to submit this form to Probate or can I, as Executor?

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Jun 5, 2024

You can leave paragraph 4 blank on the Petition for Discharge. It will be helpful to have the heirs sign a consent to petition though. An attorney is not required to submit this form. However, it may be helpful to enlist the service of an attorney to avoid any possible issues.

Schedule a...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Georgia on
Q: on a warranty deed my father's name as well as my step moms and one step sister with grantor and grantess to include ..

respective heirs, successors,and assigns were the context requires or permits . my dads gone and so is my step mom as one of his heirs can I just move into his house its not being lived in

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on May 13, 2024

It depends on a few factors. If the deed was held as joint tenants with right of survivorship, then your step sister is the current owner of the property. If the deed was held as tenants in common, then whether you inherited your father's portion would depend on whether he left a will and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Georgia on
Q: My son has just died. He has children that are minors and is divorced. I was told I needed to go to probate court to get

His medical records as his mother. That’s all I need, all he has. Is this necessary and how hard is it

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on May 2, 2024

First, I am sorry to hear about your loss. As his mother, you may qualify as an heir who can file probate for his estate. If he left no will, you would be the administrator of his intestate estate. If he had a will, you would need to be named as the executor to qualify. Once you are appointed to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Land was given to 2 siblings in a will. One sibling passed away and was married. Does the widow of the deceased person

Does the widow of the deceased person has rights to the land? No will was made for the deceased person to give the land to their spouse.

James Clifton
PREMIUM
James Clifton
answered on Mar 26, 2024

The exact answer depends on a few factors regarding the dates of death of the parent and child and the terms of the will. If the will listed the child died before the parent, the gift of the land will depend on whether the gift was listed as per stirpes, per capita, or otherwise. If the parent... View More

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.
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 Probate for Georgia on
Q: Ex husband signed quit claim deed at divorce and I am to pay him $5k upon sale of my home. He died in 2018 w/o a will.

I plan on paying our two children the money, but is his widow due any part of this payment?

Thank you.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 12, 2024

Based on the information you provided, it seems that your ex-husband had a legal interest in the $5,000 payment upon the sale of your home, as outlined in the divorce agreement and quit claim deed. When he passed away without a will in 2018, the legal question becomes who is entitled to his assets,... View More

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
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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 Family Law and Probate for Georgia on
Q: Son has a no contact order issued by Judge against his wife she has all his belongings including his truck . An his on h

Hospital csn he give me power of. Attorney an I cam get his belongings am truck

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 6, 2024

If your son is currently unable to retrieve his belongings due to a no-contact order, granting you a power of attorney (POA) can be a legal means for you to act on his behalf. A power of attorney would allow you to manage certain affairs for him, such as collecting his belongings, including his... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Elder Law, Probate and Wrongful Death for Georgia on
Q: my grandfather died and now his caretaker is squating in his house refusing to show anyone his will.

He died due to the care taker canseling more than a dozen of his doctors appointments, changing his doctor, farming him for pills, and now shes selling and giving away his assets (furniture, farm equipment, vehicles, and all his guns are gone). my mother and i have lived next door on his property... View More

Kedra M. Gotel
PREMIUM
Kedra M. Gotel pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 27, 2024

You need to file a petition in probate court in the county your grandfather lived prior to his death. The court will notify any other heirs or interested parties (including the caretaker) of the legal matter. You should request to be appointed the personal representative unless someone else can... 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
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
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

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.