Executor Duties

What happens when someone you love passes away? This is a hard process for anyone to work through, but there are still certain steps that should be followed through when it comes to probate. This is because every Georgia estate needs to be closed out with the right paperwork filed with the court and one person known as the executor is the one who does this. The first step in the process is for a petition to be filed with the probate court in the county in which the decedent resided at the time of their death. GA Code § 53-4-20.

When meeting with an experienced Georgia executor duties lawyer you will learn more about the responsibilities associated with the role of an executor. An executor is the individual appointed either through a will or through the court when a person passes away.

This other party is usually a friend or family member of the deceased and is responsible for closing out estate administration. The support of an experienced executor duties lawyer in Georgia can assist the probate administrator who needs help with gathering all of the different assets for inventory, submitting these for probate court and turning in materials such as full accountings to the court.

Many people do not realize the extensive amount of work that can be required to work as a Georgia executor and therefore, might become in over their head and need the support of an experienced lawyer. A dedicated and trusted executor duties attorney in Georgia can help guide this person through the process of completing all of their necessary tasks and protecting their interests. Most people do not realize that executors have personal liability for decisions that they make which lead to mistakes or losses of funds inside the account.

Interested beneficiaries can allege that an executor did not follow their responsibilities or protect the interests of the beneficiaries and this could lead to serious consequences for the chosen executor. This is why many people choose to retain an attorney to support their executor actions as soon as possible after being appointed into this role. In all of these circumstances, it’s imperative to consider the potential downside of not getting legal support.

There are several different phases involved in settling an estate and no one wants to make a mistake in this process and expose themselves to possible litigation. It is very common to feel confused or lost particularly when a loved one has just died and you are appointed as an executor. Many different people have come to the offices of executor duties lawyers in Georgia to get further information about what they need to do and the order in which they need to do it.

When a will wasn’t left, the person who will manage the Georgia estate is referred to as an administrator but he or she has the same responsibilities as an executor. However, there are some differences in the legal process required to settle a Georgia estate based on whether or not there is a will. There are many concerns about uncontested estates in Georgia, including ensuring that the estate is settled properly, verifying that the deceased’s wishes are properly honored, keeping family harmony where possible, understanding the process, and maximizing the value of the estate. The length of the entire process can be significantly affected by those situations in which interested beneficiaries lodge a will contest or other type of dispute.

In these circumstances, it’s essential to have legal insight from an experienced litigator who can help protect the executor and help explain to him or her how they need to proceed with their next steps. The support of an experienced attorney can make a world of difference in helping you to avoid mistakes and have significant clarity over what to do next.