There are a lot of legal and practical obligations that arise when someone dies. The family will need to locate their estate plan and secure their assets. There will need to be a representative who handles the estate, and they will need to attend hearings in the...
Serving as the personal representative of someone's estate is often a thankless job. While it is common for testators to allocate small amounts of compensation for the person who will handle their estates, that payment often pails in comparison to the work involved....
Will contests are relatively rare, but they are an important form of protection for both vulnerable adults and their beneficiaries. Most estates go through probate with a few complications. The testator's documents leave adequate instruction, or the division of...
Beneficiary disputes can arise for many reasons, one of which is if the estate executor doesn't properly handle the tasks and duties that are presented to them. The beneficiaries may feel that the process is unfair or even illegal, and this can lead to a dispute...
Maybe a loved one asked you years ago if you would serve as the executor of their estate, and they just recently died. Perhaps the close family member, like a parent, just passed away, and the probate courts want you to step up and serve as the executor because your...
Estates wind up going through probate for many reasons, but three are most common. The first would be that someone dies without a last will, requiring the courts to apply intestate succession to the assets someone leaves behind. The second would be that someone did...
Probate is a legal process during which a deceased person’s assets are divided among heirs and beneficiaries. During this process, their debts are also handled. Usually, the first step of probate is to verify the decedent’s last will and testament. If they died...
As your loved ones in Georgia start to get older, they might find it increasingly difficult to take care of themselves. They may not need 24/7 residential care, but they might have trouble driving, paying bills, managing their money and dealing with other adult...
In the unfortunate event that a family member in Georgia has become incapacitated or a minor has lost their parents, the courts will appoint a guardian or conservator to that person. Confusion may arise between these two terms when a person begins to receive their...
The cognitive decline that happens with Georgia residents who have dementia will likely make it a challenge for them to complete normal life activities as time goes on. As the disease progresses, it may become difficult for people with dementia to do things they once...