Atlanta Probate Lawyer Blog

As an Atlanta, Georgia Petition for Inventory and Accounting Lawyer, I see many clients who have all but given up discovering what happened to the assets and monies of a Georgia Estate. They erroneously believe this because they have signed away their right to an Inventory and accounting. In the alternative, they believe they are not entitled to an Inventory and Accounting because the language in the will explicitly states one is not required. If this is your situation, you are in luck!

Georgia probate law provides that you can renounce your waiver to production of an Estate Petition for Inventory and Accounting in Georgia. Georgia law also states that language in a Georgia Will that an Estate Petition for Inventory and Accounting is not required to be produced is for convenience purposes. Any holding to the contrary on both of the above-referenced would be tantamount to a “license to steal” for any administrator, executor, or personal representative (Collectively referred to as “Fiduciary” or “Fiduciaries” of a Georgia Estate).

If properly requested, the Georgia Probate Court will issue a “Rule Nisi” (a “Court Order”) for the administrator, executor, or personal representative to appear in court at a formal hearing and state why an interested party’s request for a formal and complete “Petition for Inventory and Accounting” should not be produced. Guidance of an experienced Atlanta, Georgia probate lawyer is almost essential when undertaking this request in an estate proceeding.

It is important to enter into requesting a Petition for Inventory and Accounting appropriately. First, in my Atlanta, Georgia probate practice, I find it is a best practice to make a formal request on the administrator, executor, or personal representative through detailed demand letter sent to their counsel, or directly to the Fiduciary if they do not have counsel. In my numerous years of Georgia probate litigation experience, I have found that it is prudent to attempt to resolve the issue without court intervention. While necessary, I have found that such demand rarely satisfies the heir or beneficiaries making the request. Second, this demand will likely have a “knee-jerk” reaction causing the administrator, executor, or personal representative to cease any correspondence with the heir or beneficiary and remain silent. Furthermore, it oftentimes elicits the losing argument that the heir or beneficiary has waived their right to such and inventory or accounting by signing it away on the Estate’s “Letters Testamentary” or “Letters of Administration” issued to the Fiduciary. The other losing argument by the Fiduciary is that the language in the will explicitly states they are not required to give or prepare one. Again, these are both losing arguments. Do not be surprised if you see this argument made by an attorney representing the Fiduciary. This is a finite area of Georgia probate law and many non-probate lawyers are not privy to this rule. On another note, such requests should not be done to offend the Fiduciary, or for some other non-legal and legitimate reason. Remember, filing a Georgia Petition for Inventory and Accounting is tantamount to showing a lack of trust in the Fiduciary, questioning their moral principles, and making an implied statement that they have stolen, squandered, or abused estate assets. This is a serious accusation.

In some cases, conflicts surface when executors, administrators, or personal representatives can have difficulty providing an inventory of assets in a timely manner. It is precisely this situation that can make it seem that there is an abuse of power on their part. Conversely, many times executors, administrators, or personal representatives have breached their Fiduciary Duties. Under these circumstances, they are unable to provide an accurate inventory and accounting. This happens more often than one would like to think and seems to be happening more frequently in these tough economic times.

If you are an heir or beneficiary who feels the administrator, executor, or personal representative has breached their Fiduciary Duty, please do not hesitate to contact Our Firm. We will properly hold the Fiduciary accountable and do our best to return the estate to its previous condition or make the Fiduciary make equally satisfying amends. Many cases of Breach of Fiduciary Duty are serious and involve theft of estate assets, self-dealing, misappropriation of funds, and worse. For this reason, it is important for executors, administrators, or personal representatives (Fiduciaries) in this situation, to retain the service of an experienced and Georgia probate lawyer who can assist in identifying a breach of fiduciary duty, or just plain bad estate handling by the Fiduciary. In the latter case, it may be best to have this Fiduciary removed in favor of another.

Continue reading "PETITION FOR INVENTORY AND ACCOUNTING -- GEORGIA PROBATE LAWYERS CAN COMPEL PRODUCTION OF THIS DOCUMENT DESPITE A SIGNED WAIVER, OR LANGUAGE TO THE CONTRARY IN THE WILL" »

In my Atlanta, Georgia Probate Law practice, I counsel many clients on the procedures that Georgia’s probate law dictates. Heirs and beneficiaries frequently ask questions about the duties of personal representatives in the probate process. A personal representative is either named in the will as an executor (and usually called an executor as opposed to a personal representative), or appointed by the court as an administrator. An administrator is appointed when no will exists, if an executor was not named in the will, or in the case that the named executor is unfit to serve. Personal representatives have a fiduciary duty to perform the required tasks of probate in a way that treats heirs and beneficiaries fairly. Nevertheless, personal representatives are almost always referred to as an executor or administrator. In short, an executor or administrator is a personal representative and the Official Code of Georgia gives them this title. What is more, is that personal representatives must give an inventory and/or accounting to heirs or beneficiaries who have a legitimate concern or reason to know about the estates assets.

However, as a Georgia Probate, Wills, Trusts, and Estates Lawyer, what is problematic to me when it comes to an executor or administrator, --

Whether I am working in Sandy Springs, as a “Sandy Springs Probate Lawyer” or a “Sandy Springs Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; in the Buckhead Area, as a “Buckhead Probate Lawyer” or a “Buckhead Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; in Fulton County as an "Atlanta Probate Lawyer” or an “Atlanta Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; in Gwinnett County as a “Duluth or Lawrenceville Probate Lawyer” or “Duluth or Lawrenceville Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; in Forsyth County as a “Cumming, Georgia Probate Lawyer” or a Cumming, Georgia Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; in Cobb County as an “Smyrna, Acworth, Kennesaw or Marietta Probate Lawyer” or a "Smyrna, Acworth, Kennesaw or Marietta Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”; and/or last but not least (in order to shorten this example”), in DeKalb County as a “Decatur Probate Lawyer” or a “Decatur Will Contest, Trust Litigation, or Estate Administration Lawyer”

-- is that there are so many situations where the heirs or beneficiaries do not hire a lawyer and demand an inventory or accounting merely because the Will or Letters of Administration state that the executor, administrator, or personal representative is relieved from performing this duty. --

GEORGIA PROBATE LAW HOLDS THAT DESPITE WHAT THE WILL, LETTERS TESTAMENTARY, OR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION STATE WITH REGARDS TO GIVING AN INVENTORY OR ACCOUNTING, IS THAT AN EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, OR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE, MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNTING IF AN HEIR OR BENEFICIARY PROPERLY DEMANDS ONE.

The general list of tasks of Georgia personal representatives includes taking control of the estate’s assets, paying off the estate’s debts and administration expenses, selling estate assets to pay debts and expenses (or to distribute assets more efficiently), filing tax returns on behalf of the estate, distributing assets to beneficiaries and heirs, filing any required reports (including an inventory and accounting), and applying for discharge from office. The first step of taking control of the estate’s assets is critical. In this step, the personal representative must identify, locate, and value the estate’s assets. Without this information, no determination can be made regarding how to distribute the estate and the probate process would stall.

During the stressful time surrounding the death of a loved one, friend, or business associate, it is common to lack the focus necessary to deal with probate proceedings. Under stress, beneficiaries and heirs may sign documentation without the proper legal review, which can cause them to waive certain rights. The right to an inventory and accounting of estate assets is one of the rights that is sometimes waived unknowingly.
Even when a personal representative succeeds in getting an heir or beneficiary to sign a waiver that forfeits their right to an inventory and accounting, it is important to know that the waiver can be renounced afterward and an inventory and accounting can be demanded. Once you have waived this right, it is important to retain an Atlanta Probate Lawyer to assist you in acquiring an inventory and accounting that is true, accurate, and complete.

To renounce this type of waiver, an experienced Georgia probate attorney can assist in filing a petition for inventory and accounting that forces the personal representative to release this information. Another way that heirs and beneficiaries are left out during the probate process is through the instructions given in the will. Sometimes wills state that the executor is not required to give an inventory and accounting to heirs and beneficiaries. While this may be included in some wills as a result of undue influence over the testator by a third party, heirs, and beneficiaries do have rights under Georgia law to protect against this type of self-dealing. Again, a petition for inventory and accounting can be filed that will give the heirs and beneficiaries access to the asset information.

Continue reading "FIND THE BEST ATLANTA PROBATE LAWYER TO FILE A PETITION FOR INVENTORY AND ACCOUNTING IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ESTATE ASSETS: GEORGIA PROBATE LAW OVERRIDES INSTRUCTIONS THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO GIVE AN INVENTORY OR ACCOUNTING TO HEIRS OR BENEFICIARIES" »

The Atlanta will contest defense lawyers at The Adams Law Offices are experienced in defending clients in disputes over the provisions of wills and administration of estate assets. Parties that can be defended in a will contest include the estate, beneficiaries, heirs or personal representatives. But it is usually heirs or beneficiaries who challenge a will, especially if they are slated to receive less from the estate than what they had originally anticipated. Once notice of the death or petition to begin probate proceedings is served, any parties interested in filing a will contest may come forward. The Adams Law Offices files Georgia Will Contests Caveat Petitions and just as often, their Atlanta Office defends Will Contests. As such, whatever role we engage on behalf of our client in will contest litigation, you can be assured, we know what opposing counsel is thinking and what their objectives are. Oftentimes, our Atlanta, Georgia will contest defense lawyers use tactics such as mediation, enhanced discovery, to catch opposing counsel of guard and to throw the theory of their case off balance, oftentimes, making them start over or think again about whether contesting the will in question.

Many conditions can provoke a Georgia will contest, including:

• The Testator’s Mental Capacity - if the deceased was not considered to be of sound mind and body when the will was executed

• The Imposition of Undue Influence on the Testator - if a third party a suspected of coercing the testator into executing a will that was not his true intention

• An Improperly Executed Will - if the will was not signed under the proper procedures, for example signed in the presence of the correct number of witnesses and in front of a notary public, or if any witnesses to the will are named as beneficiaries in the will

• Rights of a Surviving Spouse or Minor Child - the law mandates a statutory minimum of the estate to be awarded to a surviving spouse or minor child

• The Existence of Joint Accounts - joint accounts may have been set up for convenience only and may not express the wishes of the decedent to pass those assets on to the surviving account holder

• Poor Inventory and Accounting of Estate Assets - beneficiaries and heirs may question how the personal representative identifies, values and accounts for estate assets

• Unusual Gifts Made Before Death - any questionable gifts made by the decedent before death may cause heirs and/or beneficiaries to contest the will

• Breach of Fiduciary Duty by the Personal Representative - wrongdoing or negligent behavior during the administration of the estate

For testators, the key to reducing will contests is the development of a good strategy of asset distribution. It is important to remember that the legal costs of will contests are paid for out of estate assets. And besides the monetary cost, these disputes can delay the distribution of assets for months and even years. Because will contests are not easily won, Georgia personal representatives sometimes offer a monetary settlement to the challenger to minimize the cost and time that will be required to close the estate. Gifting portions of your estate before death will minimize the assets to be distributed through probate, thereby reducing the chance of will contests. Creating a trust is another way to leave assets outside of probate. Upon death, the assets in a trust are transferred to beneficiaries outside of probate, and as such will not be scrutinized by the parties involved in the probate proceedings.

At The Adams Law Offices our attorneys are qualified in all areas of probate court litigation, probate court law law, and will contest law. Contact us today to discuss how to leave a lasting legacy that honors your wishes and protects your loved ones at (404) 467-8611 or 1-877-412-3267. We can also be contacted by sending us a confidential message through our “Contact Us” form on our website. The Firm’s main office is conveniently located in the Buckhead section of Atlanta and we have a second office located in Marietta in Cobb County, near the intersection of Paper Mill Road and Johnson Ferry Road. You can reach us at the Cobb County, Marietta Law Office by calling (770) 952-1008.

In my Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia, law firm, I have learned one of the most important abilities a probate lawyer can have, is to be able to keep the peace! In my Atlanta Probate Law Practice, one of the most common questions I am asked is, how to stop heirs and beneficiaries from fighting with executors and administrators. Usually this question comes from the executor or administrator whose life has been turned upside down by the demands of their Fiduciary Duty. Most executors and administrators want to get through the process as efficiently and quickly as possible in order to return to their normal daily life. But there are other reasons to keep the peace when acting as an executor or administrator.

By actively limiting conflict during the proceedings, it is true that the estate will be distributed faster, but it will also be administered with more assets intact. When conflict arises, litigation, or at least mediation, is not far behind. Probate mediation and litigation can cost precious time, not to mention monetary resources. This type of legal cost can come directly out of the assets of the estate, so with more time spent feuding, less money is available to distribute.

Besides the monetary and time issues, it is important to keep the wishes of the decedent in mind. I believe that most people write wills in part to limit infighting over estate assets. By maintaining a transparent process with the heirs and beneficiaries, conflict can be minimized and the deceased’s wishes can be honored more fully. By retaining the counsel of an experienced Georgia probate lawyer, an executor or administrator can perform the required fiduciary duties and properly keep beneficiaries and heirs informed while meeting all deadlines.

Continue reading "A GEORGIA PROBATE ATTORNEY CAN KEEP PEACE DURING GEORGIA PROBATE PROCEEDINGS" »

Lawyers in my Atlanta, Georgia Estate Litigation law firm see cases of dishonest executors and administrators all too often. We have put these dishonest executors into two categories:

1). The Genuinely Accidental Act. If an executor or administrator wants to deceive beneficiaries and heirs, it is relatively easy for these individuals to take advantage of their role. For example, during difficult and emotional times after a loved one’s death, it is possible for administrators and executors to convince the other parties involved that they should sign away certain rights. Even though done unintentionally nor in planning to breach their fiduciary duties, executors and administrators can give the appearance of dishonesty through their lack of knowledge of their duties and responsibilities.

Still, as executors and administrators these individuals owe a fiduciary responsibility to beneficiaries, heirs and other interested parties. Unfortunately, most executors or administrators do not completely understand what their responsibilities are and how much control they have over the probate process. Oftentimes, an administrator or executor is a family member and may have reasons, either financial or emotional, for not being completely thorough during probate proceedings. This creates a situation where it is easy for the administrator or executor to appear as if any wrongful acts were intentional. After all, one duty of an executor or administrator is to know their duties.

2). The Purposeful Wrongful Act. If an executor or administrator wants to deceive heirs, beneficiaries, and interested third parties, it can be relatively easy. When no one is checking executors or administrators actions, these personal representatives can get away with quite of bit of malfeasance. These executors and administrators set out of a course of deception and pilfering from the estate. Moreover, these individual executors and administrator seem to insist they are correct, yet are unwilling to give any information, accounting, or inventory relating to the estate or their fiduciary roles. There are occasions where would be honest executors and administrators turn to the dark side becoming dishonest upon finding out how easy they it may be. Whether this occurs is usually determined by whether these executors or administrators have this deceptive and greedy soul and poor character existing in them. The Atlanta, Georgia estate attorneys at my Firm fear these are the most dangerous executors or administrators. This is because these are the persons or entities who usually get appointed by decedents because they are thought to be honest.

Under Georgia fiduciary law, you do have legal recourse to handle a dishonest executor or administrator who is stealing from, misrepresenting or otherwise defrauding an estate. While it is preferable to take preventative steps to block an unfit individual from being named as executor or administrator, more often it is only after probate is initiated and the executor or administrator begins to handle the estate that a problem is detected. In those cases, you can sue for breach of fiduciary duty. In fact you can sue if the executor or administrator merely threatens breach of fiduciary duty. If you are able to prove your case, the court may impose one or a combination of the following actions:

• Removal of the executor or administrator

• Replacement of the executor or administrator

• Require that the executor or administrator perform the assigned duties

• Require that the executor or administrator pay back stolen money or assets lost due to the breach

• Have the executor or administrator compensate the petitioner for losses

• Placement of wrongfully distributed estate assets into trust until it is decided who should receive the property

• Non-payment or reduced payment of statutory fees to the executor or administrator by the estate

Continue reading "AN ATL PROBATE LAWYERS CAN HELP YOU DISARM A SELF-DEALING OR DISHONEST EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR" »

In my Firm’s Atlanta, Marietta, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs Probate Law Firm, I have found Georgia estate litigation is on the rise. For the most part, the Atlanta, Georgia Probate Litigation lawyers at my Fiduciary Law Firm attribute this to an increase in breach of fiduciary duties among executors, administrators, and powers of attorney. The most common type of disputes we see involves breach of fiduciary duty by the executor or administrator of an estate (also called the personal representative). These personal representatives are assigned the task of managing the distribution of estate assets and are responsible for the fair and honest treatment of beneficiaries and/or heirs during this process. During the course of probate, personal representatives have specific duties under Georgia Fiduciary Law, including the task of handling all estate assets such as real estate, collectibles, cash, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and insurance policies. It is the fiduciaries responsibility of the personal representative to manage this process honestly, efficiently and in the best interests of all beneficiaries and/or heirs.

When a Georgia personal representative is assigned by the decedent in a will, or by the court in the absence of a will, or when the individual named in the will is unable to serve, the expectation is that the personal representative will conduct the required tasks without self-dealing or favoritism towards any party.

Breach of the fiduciary duties required by state law can include the following:

• Theft - directly stealing assets from the estate

• Conversion - indirectly stealing from the estate, for example by liquidating assets for less than their true value and keeping the difference

• Fraud - undermining the will by taking bribes or through dishonesty

• Acting out of Incompetence or Negligence – failure to complete duties correctly and within an acceptable period of time

• Overcharging for Services – charging exorbitant fees for the administration of the estate

• Conflict of Interest - a personal interest in the estate or in the outcome of the probate process

When breach of fiduciary duties and/or responsibilities are suspected, beneficiaries are entitled to swift legal action that will protect their interests. The Atlanta estate litigation lawyers at The Adams Law Offices are versed in all aspects of probate litigation, including the initial phases, which often include mediation. Besides representing heirs and beneficiaries, we are also exceedingly experienced in preparing strategies for wrongfully accused fiduciaries to show that the estate is being managed properly and in a timely fashion under the circumstances, with no occurrences personal benefit or self-dealing.

Continue reading "ATLANTA, GEORGIA PROBATE ATTORNEYS SEE BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY ACCUSATIONS ON THE RISE IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROCEEDINGS" »

In my Atlanta, Georgia Probate Law Firm, I have represented many clients who require legal counsel well into probate proceedings. While, this is can be due to a lack of knowledge of the Georgia probate process, it can also stem from a number of other reasons such as negligent management of estate assets, self dealing, misappropriation of estate assets, or even intentional mismanagement of estate affairs. Over the course of my legal career, I have decided the list of reasons is endless.

Many of my clients are Georgia executors and administrators who have been assigned the difficult task of distributing the deceased’s estate. Confusion surfaces as these individuals face a complex set of fiduciary responsibilities (commonly referred to as fiduciary duties under Georgia law) and legal tasks, including the filing of legal documents to strict deadlines and other stringent legal requirements. Retaining legal advice from a Georgia probate law firm early on in this process is essential to successfully and efficiently collecting, managing, and distributing the estate’s assets.

Identifying, finding and gathering assets is one task that a Georgia executor or administrator is responsible for during the probate process. Transferring assets into the estate and assuring that payments are made on behalf of the estate are also duties that must be handled. In the process, it is the executor or administrator’s fiduciary duty to keep beneficiaries, heirs and any interested parties informed of certain milestones. In addition, court deadlines and the filing of legal documentation can be confusing. If any of these duties are incorrectly handled, despite the best intentions of the executor or administrator, disputes can develop between the respective parties, which have an interest in the estate. In a worst-case scenario, the executor or administrator can be held personally liable for mistakes make during the proceedings.

Without experienced counsel from a Georgia probate litigation attorney, probate proceedings can not only cause infighting among interested parties, but also slow the process down to the point that the proceedings drag on for an extended period. As time elapses and infighting intensifies, litigation becomes more likely. Heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties usually cause the initial disputes. Oftentimes, Georgia probate disputes are sent to mediation ordered by the Georgia probate court. This has proven an effective way to resolve minor disputes without court proceedings or litigation. As executor or administrator, the nature of your primary fiduciary duty is to protect the estate’s assets and act in the best interests of all interested parties to the estate. So working to avoid, mitigate, and mediate conflict between parties is crucial and will speed up the process and likely keep you distanced from any breach of fiduciary duty accusations.

Continue reading "THE CHALLENGING ROLE OF EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR IN GEORGIA PROBATE PROCEEDINGS" »

In my Atlanta, Georgia Probate Law Firm's practice, I routinely counsel executors and administrators on how to administer Georgia estates. The role of an executor or administrator, (referred to under Georgia Probate Law as a “personal representative”) is challenging and is often accepted before a full understanding of the duties is apparent. The personal representative must be able to manage the process and the requests of the other parties involved, such as heirs and/or beneficiaries. One of the most sensible steps a personal representative can take is to retain the services of an experienced estate and probate attorney. The attorney will guide the executor or administrator during the probate process and can help prevent issues that surface from becoming full-blown disputes that require litigation.

There are a few general guidelines to follow that are very important when taking on the role of personal representative. The first is not to make any promises to anyone involved, including the heirs and beneficiaries. The Georgia probate process has a cadence of its own, with deadlines and procedures that need to be handled efficiently and properly. Giving a general timeline for the process is sufficient and it is key to stress that the proceedings will move faster if conflict is kept to a minimum.

Secondly, the Georgia estate administration process can be long. Prepare yourself as executor or administrator for this, and let the others involved know that the process will take time to complete. This is critical. Typically, the longer the probate process takes, the more common it is for beneficiaries and heirs to get anxious and start to argue. With conflict comes the need for lengthy mediation or litigation and as more time is spent, probate costs increase. As executor or administrator, it is imperative to be patient and manage not only your own expectations, but also the expectations of everyone involved.

A third point is that it is advantageous to begin the probate process by opening the estate as quickly as possible. As the administrator or executor, you must be appointed by the court to have the legal authority to administer the estate. Personal representatives have a fiduciary duty and must be thorough in carrying out the required steps to offer up the will (if one exists) as the definitive document that expresses the final wishes of the deceased. When a will does not exist, an administrator will be assigned to manage the estate. Often the stage is set early on for family disharmony and infighting, power struggles, disputes, and litigation. This is especially true when it takes too long to open the estate. Diligence, accuracy, honesty, and care in this process is essential and hopefully will keep the Georgia probate process moving forward more smoothly.

Continue reading "GEORGIA ESTATE ADMINISTRATION LAWYER GUIDELINES FOR EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS (THE “PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE”)" »

If you are, or may be, an executor or administrator of an estate in GA probate court I believe you should consider that you are in charge of managing the bulk of the administrative responsibilities related to the administration of the estate in Georgia and have a strict fiduciary duties to carry out.

As a potential or acting executor or administrator of an estate in GA probate court, you must understand that you are legally accountable for the expeditious management of nearly all administrative responsibilities related to the administration of the Georgia estate considering the circumstances. These legal obligations are referred to and set forth in Title 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) which governs “Wills, Trusts, and Administration of Estates.” These legal obligations are a lofty standard and referred to as your fiduciary duties under Georgia probate law. These “fiduciary duties" impose on all executors and administrators exceptionally demanding legal responsibilities to the estate beneficiaries, heirs, Georgia probate court and other “interested parties”.

The Personal Representative (Administrator or Executor) Obligations and Duties Include:

1. Make sure that desired funeral arrangements are made and carried out.
2. Locate the original will and file with the Georgia Probate Court with the correct petition and other legally required documents. This includes the decedent’s death certificate.
3. Petition the GA Probate Court for appointment as Executor or Administrator (both referred to as a “Personal Representative” under GA law) and Petition for Letters Testamentary or Petition for Letters of Administration depending on the whether a Will governs the decedent’s estate and whether there is a Personal Representative available to serve under the Will.
4. For decedent’s estates, publish Notice to Debtors and Creditors of the Estate in the legal newspaper (“Legal Organ”). Publish legal Notice of Hearing in the legal newspaper, or other publication, acceptable to the Court.
5. Obtain death certificate or doctor's statement for insurance claims (sometimes birth and marriage certificates also are necessary).
6. Notify all heirs, legatees, devisees, and next of kin of their interest in the estate. Search for any heirs if necessary. Petition the Court for Determination of Heirs if necessary.
7. Locate any safe deposit box or location where relevant instructions, documents, assets of the estate may be kept. Arrange for inventory of safe deposit box contents.
8. Obtain any whole and/or life insurance claim forms, fill out, and submit with policy (or policies). Obtain proceeds for beneficiary and Form 712 for estate tax return.
9. File claims for final medical bills with Medicare and other medical insurance carriers.
10. Assemble necessary documents for each parcel of real estate or mineral interest, including deeds, leases, tax receipts, title abstracts, and insurance policies.
11. If necessary, oppose in Court all incorrect or invalid claims against the estate.

Continue reading "BEING EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR OF AN ESTATE IN GEORGIA PROBATE COURT – ARE YOU UP TO THE TASK? – GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS" »

Being an executor or administrator of a Georgia estate in probate court is no easy undertaking. In fact, as executor or administrator of a GA estate, you are stepping into a position ripe, ready and waiting for conflict and disharmony to develop among all the interested parties to the estate, or worse yet, parties that will use their influence to control others who do have an interest in the estate. To say the least, these matters are already emotional from the death of a loved one and now, as executor or administrator, you are in charge managing the often-greedy heirs or beneficiaries of the Georgia estate. At the very least, this can add substantial administrative and bureaucratic responsibilities to your life as well as significant anxiety and stress. Furthermore, these oftentimes come at a time when you may already be grieving and have your own affairs to manage. In almost all cases, this is further complicated by the significant administrative duties imposed by law on a GA executor or administrator and the fiduciary duties and liabilities that come with this position.

In most GA estates, both executors and administrators are frequently relatives or close friends of the deceased person (the decedent). This would seemingly be a plus; however, more often it turns out to be the starting place of many arguments, endless wrangling, power struggles and ultimately many GA Probate disputes, will contests and litigation proceedings. Many of these GA estate disputes and much of this GA probate litigation stems from the fact that many of the other members contesting the actions and alleged breach of the personal representative’s fiduciary duties are also frequently, family members, relatives, or close friends of the deceased person (the decedent). In fact, it is often the case that these family members, relatives and close friends stand to inherit assets of the Georgia estate or have some interest in the outcome of the distribution of assets.

Perhaps most importantly, acting as a personal representative gives you a fiduciary duty to the estate -- that is, you are legally responsible for ensuring that your financial decisions are made with complete information, according to the estate's best interests and as expeditiously considering the circumstances. This is the same fiduciary duty given to leaders of corporations, and like those leaders, you are legally liable for any lawsuit alleging that you have not met your fiduciary duties. This includes personal liability, which is beyond assets of the estate and not limited in any way, shape or form to the assets of the estate.

Continue reading "PREVENTION OF DISPUTES IN GEORGIA PROBATE COURT BY THE EXECUTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR – FORESIGHT, DETECTION, AND AVOIDANCE " »

As an experienced Atlanta Probate Lawyer, I have repeatedly seen first-hand the frustration a beneficiary or heir can experience if the executor or administrator of a Georgia Probate Estate refuses or is unwilling to provide the beneficiaries or heirs with answers concerning the status of the estate. I also understand the difficulties a non-responsive, uncaring, or vindictive executor or administrator can cause by imposing their “perceived” powers upon the beneficiaries or heirs of an estate. Fortunately, for the beneficiary or heir subject this unjust behavior, these executors or administrators must carry out their fiduciary duties imposed pursuant to TITLE 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated entitled “WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES”.

Moreover, the Georgia executor or estate administrator has to move the Georgia estate administration process along expeditiously and in the best interests of all persons who are interested in the estate and with due regard for their respective rights. This implies a “reasonable” amount of time in which matters are to move forward.

Nevertheless, regardless of the high standards and accountability to which a fiduciary is held, if you do not seek legal counsel to address these matters and compel answers, the Georgia Probate Courts will not likely hold accountable these Georgia Estate Fiduciaries. As a beneficiary or heir, it is up to you to seek relief by asserting your entitlement to answers and compelling answers due under Georgia Probate law and using the powers of the Georgia Probate Courts to obtain answers. The fact remains, even if you have signed documents giving the executor or administrator broad powers and waivers under Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration issued by the Georgia Probate Court, you can still request and receive answers from the executor or administrator of the estate. However, matters have become much more complex and it is wise to seek the counsel of an experienced Atlanta Probate Lawyer or Atlanta Estate Litigation Law Firm.

Continue reading "AS A BENEFICIARY OR HEIR OF A GEORGIA PROBATE ESTATE, YOU ARE ENTITLED TO AN INVENTORY AND ACCOUNTING IN GEORGIA PROBATE COURT" »