Last Will and Testament Georgia
Speak with a trusted Last Will and Testament lawyer in Georgia.
Last Will and Testament Lawyer in Georgia
A Last Will and Testament is a critical part of planning for the future. A GA estate lawyer can help you prepare and get your documents in order.
Creating a will is a vital step in ensuring a comfortable future for your partner, minor children, other loved ones, and even your pets. A properly written document assigns someone to oversee the estate and settle all debts. It also provides for your family upon your death.
The process of writing a legally binding will in GA is a complex one. As wills and probate are both specialized legal fields, it would behoove you to retain an established business attorney, such as found at the Faulkner Law Offices in Marietta, GA. Stan Faulkner can provide you with guidance to secure your estate for your beneficiaries and loved ones.
What is a Georgia Last Will and Testament?
To ensure your property is distributed the way you want it to be, it is important that you write a will. If you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to “intestacy” laws.
The intestacy law of Georgia – the law that comes into play if you pass away without a will – distributes property beginning with your spouse and kids. If you have neither spouse nor children, your parents will likely receive your property. The list continues on to remote relatives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. In case the court exhausts this list and you have no living relatives, the state will take your property.
The person for whom the will is written is referred to as the testator. You, the testator, may write a will for a variety of purposes. The most common, however, is to specify how your property should be divided upon death. These assets include, but are not limited to:
- Bank accounts
- Business holdings
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Property
- Real estate
- Vehicles
Additionally, your last will and testament allow you to name specific individuals to roles of responsibility. You may name someone as the legal guardian of your minor children. You can also assign an executor to act as the representative of the estate. This person makes sure that the decisions outlined in the will are followed. If there is no will, probate courts make these arrangements.
The Importance of Writing a Georgia Will
Writing a will is only one aspect of properly planning your estate. To cover all aspects of estate planning, talk to an estate planning attorney and get your affairs in order. This is preferably done long before it is necessary, while you are still of sound body and mind. Although no one enjoys thinking about it, you never know what might happen in the future, so it’s wise to be prepared.
Although a will is not legally required, it is highly recommended. Without one, you have no binding evidence of your final wishes, which means that state laws of intestacy will determine how your assets are distributed. Your property may even be auctioned off to satisfy any remaining debts.
Legal Georgia Will Forms
Last Will and Testament Form Georgia
Unless you have extensive legal expertise yourself, a will and testament form is only a start. Retain diligent and experienced lawyer to make any necessary adjustments.
How to Write a Will in Georgia
Planning Your Will Georgia
Before writing your will, you may want to discuss your legacy and options with an attorney. An initial interview often lasts one to two hours. There, you can outline your goals and concerns enabling your attorney to establish the best ways to safeguard your legacy and the financial security of your family.
How to File Wills in Georgia
How to Probate a Will in Georgia
Even with a well-crafted will, you may still need to know how to probate a will. GA accepts and encourages self-proved wills. For a will to be self-proved, it has to incorporate another document signed by witnesses of the testator, and also a notary public.
The validity of the will is attested to by the document when it was signed. Since estate planning is an important aspect of probating a will, the right lawyer can lead you to the best plan.
Making an Online Will Georgia
Modifying Wills in Georgia
Additional Georgia Will Laws
In addition to the prior regulations listed regarding will laws, there are specific methods by which the documents can be legally revoked before death. The revocation may be either expressed or implied. To express that you are revoking a will, you would either destroy it or write another will that nullifies the previous one. To imply a revocation, you would merely write a second will with wishes that are inconsistent with those specified in the prior one.
To ensure your estate safely transfers to your beneficiaries upon your passing, and to verify that your last will and testament is, in fact, up-to-date with your current wishes, contact a reputable attorney. Peace of mind is, in fact, priceless.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Use the form below to tell us about your legal inquiry, and we’ll call you back to schedule an appointment. Please be as detailed as possible. You may also email or call us to make an appointment. Our general response time is one business day.
* Please do not include confidential or sensitive information in your message. In the event that we are representing a party with opposing interests to your own, we may have a duty to disclose any information you provide to our client. *