As common as probate proceedings are in this day and age, a surprisingly large part of the population knows very little about what probate actually is and why it is needed. That can lead to unfortunate misconceptions about this vital part of the estate settlement process, and leave many people confused about how to go about managing their own estate planning efforts. Much of that confusion can be eliminated by learning a few fast facts about the Atlanta Probate Court process. Wills Don’t Help … [Read more...]

Given that fewer than half of us actually have a Last Will and Testament, one would think that every created will would be a reason for celebration. On a certain level, it is. After all, the creation of a will is a sure sign that the testator has taken his responsibilities in that area at least somewhat seriously. On the other hand, the simple act of creating a will does not necessarily mean that your estate planning duties have actually been met. For a variety of reasons, that will you created … [Read more...]

The aftermath of a loved one’s death is a period of time that is filled with grief and sorrow. Unfortunately, many family members are also faced with the burden of the probate process as the decedent’s estate goes through a court-supervised period in which assets are identified, debts are settled, and inheritances are distributed to surviving heirs. For most people, the last thing they want to do in the midst of their grieving period is deal with issues related to their loved one’s estate and … [Read more...]

If you’ve ever seen those advertisements from companies that offer to provide you with an advance on your expected inheritance in exchange for a fee, you may have wondered why anyone would ever bother to respond. The reason there’s a market for those kinds of services can be explained in one word: probate. The probate process can take anywhere from six months to more than a year, and many heirs simply cannot wait that long to access their inheritance. That’s especially true where the deceased’s … [Read more...]

If you’ve ever experienced the probate process first-hand, then you probably have at least some idea about how frustrating it can sometimes be. The process itself can take as much as a year or more to be completed, and the value of the estate can be diminished by court costs, legal fees, and other expenses required to settle the decedent’s affairs. Worse, there are often heirs who are forced to wait many months or years before they can receive their inheritances. The good news is that you don’t … [Read more...]