FAQ – Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Yes – estate planning is essential no matter where you live, and Georgia is no exception.

Even if you think you don’t have “an estate,” you do. Your home, your savings, your car, your business, and even your digital accounts are part of it. Without a clear plan, Georgia’s intestacy laws – not you – decide who inherits your assets, who cares for your children, and who manages your affairs if you become incapacitated.

An estate plan tailored to Georgia law ensures:

• Your assets go where you want (not just to your next of kin by default)
• Your family avoids unnecessary court delays and costs
• Someone you trust is appointed to handle your affairs and healthcare decisions

Whether you’re planning for your family, your legacy, or peace of mind, having an estate plan specific to Georgia’s legal requirements is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Need help getting started? Contact us for a free consultation – we’ll walk you through exactly what’s needed based on your life, assets, and goals.

If you have minor children, loved ones who depend on you, or specific wishes about who should receive your assets, then yes – you absolutely need a will.

A will lets you:

• Appoint guardians for your children
• Decide who inherits your property
• Prevent the state from deciding how your assets are divided

It’s the foundation of any solid estate plan. We’ll walk you through everything during a free consultation to ensure your loved ones are protected and your wishes are honored.

Trusts are one of the most flexible and powerful tools in estate planning. They can:

• Help your family avoid probate
• Keep your estate private
• Protect assets from creditors
• Provide for special needs or minor children

There are many types of trusts – revocable, irrevocable, living, testamentary – each suited for different goals.

We can help you decide if a trust is right for your situation and explain the benefits clearly.

A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It goes through the probate process, which is a court-supervised procedure. A trust, on the other hand, allows you to place assets into a separate legal entity, managed by a trustee, to benefit your chosen beneficiaries. Trusts can help avoid probate, provide privacy, and allow for more control over asset distribution.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you’re unable to – whether temporarily or long-term.
There are different types of POAs:

• Financial POA: Manages money, property, or business affairs
• Medical POA: Makes healthcare decisions if you’re incapacitated

These documents must meet legal requirements specific to the state you are in and be crafted with care. We’re here to help you set up a POA that reflects your values and protects your interests.

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. It ensures that your assets, no matter the size, are distributed according to your wishes. It also allows you to appoint guardians for minor children, make healthcare decisions in advance, and minimize potential conflicts among heirs.

It’s advisable to review and potentially update your estate plan every 3-5 years or after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or substantial changes in assets.

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, including validating the will, paying debts, and distributing assets. While probate can be time-consuming and public, certain strategies like setting up trusts can help avoid or minimize the probate process.