During estate administration, a personal representative, also known as an executor, oversees much of the process. They are responsible for managing estate resources and making distributions to beneficiaries or heirs. They may also need to liquidate assets to repay...
When a loved one can no longer manage their finances, a conservator may step in to handle their money and property. It is important for you as a family member to know what a conservator can do. In Georgia, courts carefully define these powers. They balance control...
Estate administration helps resolve an individual's obligations and carry out their last wishes. Personal representatives (also known as executors) have to secure estate resources and manage them until they distribute them to beneficiaries or heirs. In some cases,...
Wills are legal documents that outline the distribution of a person's assets. Although the creator of the will, or testator, likely wanted to provide guidance on the process, it is not uncommon for the language to seem unclear. This lack of clarity can result in legal...
When you are a beneficiary of an estate, you place trust in the executor, who is one type of 'personal representative’. This person has a legal "fiduciary duty" to manage the estate's assets honestly and in your best interest. If you suspect an executor is failing...
In Georgia, guardianship occurs when the court appoints a person, known as the guardian, to make decisions for another individual. The individual under the care of the guardian is the ward. A ward is unable to make decisions for themselves. The guardian role carries...
Probate disputes are often centered on houses, bank accounts and personal property. These concerns are contested so frequently that setting expectations for the process ahead is relatively straightforward and knowable. Yet, when intellectual property is involved, the...
Most people understand that estate administration takes time and effort to complete. Those who agree to act as personal representatives or executors often want to uphold the wishes of the deceased individual or take pressure off their closest surviving family members....
Debilitating medical conditions can affect an individual's ability to live independently, especially in their golden years. People living with physical limitations may require support from loved ones. As people age, their risk of different, significant medical...
When a person creates an estate plan, they need to be of sound mind. All decisions they make should be based solely on their own wishes. If anyone else influences those decisions, there may be undue influence. Undue influence can undermine the integrity of the...