Atlanta Probate Attorney Answers Georgia Probate Questions 

Georgia Probate Question:  What courts have jurisdiction over the probate of wills in Georgia?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Probate courts have exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills in Georgia.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Which probate court has jurisdiction over the probate of a person domiciled in Georgia?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  The probate court of the county in which the decedent was domiciled has jurisdiction over the probate estate.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Are there special rules regarding jurisdiction if a person lived in a nursing facility at the time of his death?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Yes.  The domicile of a testator who was in the care of a nursing home or similar facility at the time of his death is presumed to be the county in which the testator was domiciled immediately before entering the nursing home or similar facility.  The presumption may be rebutted by showing that the testator considered the county in which the facility is located to be the testator's domicile.  If the presumption is rebutted, the county in which the nursing home or similar facility is located is considered to be the testator's domicile.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Who has the right to offer a will for probate in Georgia?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  If an executor is named in the will, the right to offer a will for probate shall belong to the person named as executor.  If the person named as executor in the will fails to offer the will for probate with reasonable promptness, or if no executor is named, any interested person may offer the will for probate.  The term "interested person" includes, but is not limited to, any legatee, devisee, creditor of the decedent, purchaser from an heir of the decedent, an administrator appointed for the decedent prior to the discovery of the will, and any individual making a claim under an earlier will.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Are there time limits for offering a will for probate in Georgia?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Yes.  For persons who died or die on or after January 1, 1998,  the following rules apply.  A will shall not be offered for probate following the expiration of five years from the latest date on which a petition is filed for (1) the appointment of a personal representive of the decedent's estate, or (2) an order that no administration is necessary on the decedent's estate.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Does a person in possession of a decedent's will have any obligation to file the will with any court?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Yes.  The Georgia Probate Code provides that a person having possession of a will must file it with reasonable promptness with the probate court of the county which has jurisdiction.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  What happens if a person refused to file a will with the probate court?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  The probate court may attach for contempt and fine and imprison a person who fails to deliver the will of a deceased testator to the probate court.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Does proof of a codicil also proof a will?

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:   If a codicil republished the will (except for any modification or amendment in the codicil) and clearly identified the will that was republished, proof of the codicil is proof of the will.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  What is probate in common form?  

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Common form probate is the probate of a will without notice to anyone upon the testimony of one of the witnesses.  If the will is self-proved in accordance with Georgia probate law, there is no need for the testimony of a witness to the will.  Probate in common form becomes conclusive upon all parties in interest four years from the time of probate  However, minor heirs have an additional four years after they reach majority to require proof in solemn form and to interpose a caveat.  If set aside, probate of a will in common form does not protect the executor for any acts beyond the the duties to collect and preserve assets of the estate and paying the debts of the estate.  Probatre in common form might be appropriate as a temporary solution for dealing with assets of an estate that require immediate attention.  However, because of the time it takes for probate in common form to become conclusive and the limited protection provided to the executor,  probate in common form typically is not used.

 

Georgia Probate Question:  What is probate in solemn form?  

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Probate in solemn form is the more formal process to probate a will.  To probate a will in solemn form, the petitioner must give notice as required by law to the heirs and certain other persons.  Generally, the will must be proved by all the witnesses who are living and within the jurisdiction of the court, or proof of their signatures and the signature of the testator.  However, if no challenge to the will is filed, proof of the signature of only one witness is required.  If the will is self-proved pursuant to the requirements of Georgia law,  the witnesses need not testify initially.  In contrast to common form probate, the judgment of probate is conclusive immediately upon all the heirs, beneficiaries, and propounders of other wills who have been properly notified of the proceeding.

 

 

 

Georgia Probate Question:  Is it possible to offer a will for probate if the witnesses are dead?   

 

Answer by Atlanta Probate Attorney:  Yes.  If one or more of the subscribing witnesses to the will is dead, or physically or mentally incapable of testifying, the court may admit the will to probate upon the testimony in person or by affidavit or deposition of at least two credible disinterested witnesses that the signature to the will is the signature of the testator.  .

     

 

 

 

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Address:  2250 North Druid Hills Road, NE Suite 243, Atlanta, Georgia 30329

 

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