What is Probate?
Probate is the legal procedure for validating a deceased person's will and distributing their assets. It involves various documents used to manage the estate. Explore state-specific templates for your needs.
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Georgia Probate
Probate involves the legal process of settling an estate. Attorney-drafted templates simplify this process and make it quick and easy.
Common Georgia Probate documents
- Petition for Probate — initiates the probate process for a deceased person's estate.
- Letters Testamentary — authorizes the executor to act on behalf of the estate.
- Notice of Probate — informs interested parties about the probate proceedings.
- Inventory and Appraisement Forms — lists and values the deceased's assets.
- Final Accounting Forms — summarizes the estate's financial transactions before closure.
Probate forms by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Popular forms
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Banking Affidavit of Surviving Relative - Intestate EstateUse this affidavit to claim bank deposits as a surviving relative when a person passes away without a will.
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Petition for Order Declaring No Administration NecessaryUse this petition when a deceased person’s estate has no outstanding debts, allowing you to avoid formal administration.
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Heirship Affidavit - DescentEstablish the legal heirs of a deceased person, helpful in settling estate matters without a will.
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Demand to Produce Copy of Will from Heir to Executor or Person in Possession of WillRequest a copy of a deceased person's will when you're entitled to it, ensuring your rights in the estate process.
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Petition for Letters of Guardianship of MinorUse this legal form to petition for guardianship when a minor lacks a natural or appointed guardian.
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Petition to Probate Will in Solemn FormUse this form to initiate the probate process for a will when no objections are anticipated, ensuring legal validity.
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Petition to Probate Will in Solemn FormFile a petition to validate a will and appoint an executor in solemn form, ensuring legal recognition of the decedent's final wishes.
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Notice to Beneficiaries of being Named in WillNotify beneficiaries named in a will about the passing of the deceased and the probate process.
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Court Forms for Petition for Letters of AdministrationApply for authority to manage an estate when someone passes away without a will.
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Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form and for Letters of Administration with Will AnnexedUse this form to probate a will formally and seek appointment as the administrator when designated executors are unavailable or have declined.
Find a form
Similar documents: key differences
- Executor vs. Administrator — Executors are named in a will, while Administrators are appointed when there's no will.
- Letters Testamentary vs. Letters of Administration — Letters Testamentary are issued for estates with a will; Letters of Administration are for those without.
- Petition for Probate vs. Petition for Letters of Administration — The former is for estates with a will, and the latter applies when no will exists.
- Notice of Probate vs. Notice of Administration — The first notifies about a will's validity, while the second informs about the administration of an estate without a will.
Key legal points
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Probate is necessary for settling an estate after someone's death.
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Wills dictate how a person's assets are distributed upon death.
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An executor manages the estate according to the will's instructions.
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If no will exists, the state determines how assets are distributed.
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Probate can take several months to complete, depending on the estate's complexity.
How to get started
Begin the process with these simple steps.
- Find a template or package that fits your situation.
- Review the description, preview, and signing requirements.
- Get full access with a subscription.
- Complete it in the online editor.
- Export or send: download, email, USPS mail, notarize online, or send for e-signature (Premium).
FAQs
A trust is not necessary if you have a will, but it can offer additional control and privacy.
If no estate plan exists, state laws will dictate asset distribution, potentially leading to delays.
It's wise to review your estate plan every few years or after major life changes.
Beneficiary designations typically override wills, directing assets to named individuals directly.
Yes, you can appoint separate agents for financial and healthcare decisions in your estate plan.
Glossary
- Probate - The legal process of validating a will and settling an estate.
- Executor - The person appointed to carry out the terms of a will.
- Administrator - An individual appointed to manage an estate without a will.
- Letters Testamentary - Court document allowing an executor to act on an estate's behalf.
- Letters of Administration - Document granting authority to an administrator of an estate.
- Will - A legal document outlining how a person's assets should be distributed.
- Beneficiary - An individual designated to receive assets from an estate.
- Estate - The total property and assets owned by a deceased person.
- Intestate - A term used when someone dies without a valid will.
- Trust - A legal arrangement to manage assets for beneficiaries.