To make a claim in an estate, the creditor must go through the court system. The creditor first files a Statement of Claim in the probate matter for the decedent, or the person who died.
Once the Georgia probate court appoints an executor or administrator to manage the estate, Georgia law instantly puts a six-month hold on all creditor claims from the date of the appointment.
A legal notice to creditors will be published in the newspaper. Claims must be filed within ninety (90) days of the last publication.
Creditors in Georgia have three months from the date the notice is published to file their claims (O.C.G.A. § 53-7-41). If creditors fail to meet this deadline, they generally lose their right to collect the debt from the estate. Executors are not required to take action on claims filed after the deadline.
Spouses in Georgia Inheritance Law In this case, the decedent's estate is split evenly between the surviving spouse and all of their children. It's important to note, though, that a surviving spouse is entitled to a minimum of one-third of the estate, regardless of how that affects the aforementioned even split.
What Is a Petition for Letters of Administration in Georgia? The petition for letters of administration is the most common petition used when the deceased did not have a will. Use of this petition will result in the probate court appointing an administrator who will settle the estate.
To make a claim in an estate, the creditor must go through the court system. The creditor first files a Statement of Claim in the probate matter for the decedent, or the person who died.
That said, probate in Georgia is a process expected to take anywhere from at least about six months to as much as a few years. Therefore, those who are expecting a quick resolution and distribution of assets are probably going to be disappointed.
Filing a claim against an estate is a fairly simple process: In the claim, you'll state under oath that the debt is owed and provide details on the amount of the debt and any payments the decedent made. If you have written documentation, you can attach it to your claim.
You are not required to hire an attorney to probate a will, but it is highly recommended to hire an attorney to ensure the process is properly handled. What do you need to take with you to the Probate Court or to meet with an attorney? First, you need a copy of the death certificate and the original will.