Top Athens, GA Probate Lawyers Near You
25% of our clients come to our firm after they’ve unsuccessfully tried navigating the probate process without an attorney
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1220 Langford Drive, Building 200, Suite 101, Watkinsville, GA 30677
440 College Avenue North, Suite 120, Athens, GA 30601-2773
1551 Jennings Mill Rd., Suite 2800C, Watkinsville, GA 30677
1800 Hog Mountain Rd, 500-101, Watkinsville, GA 30677
1 Press Pl, Suite 200, Athens, GA 30601
440 College Avenue, Suite 320, Athens, GA 30601
297 Prince Avenue, Suite 24, Athens, GA 30601
335B Oconee Street, Athens, GA 30601
320 E Clayton St, Suite 500, Athens, GA 30601
Athens Probate Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Probate attorneys in Athens and checks their standing with Georgia bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is Probate?
Probate is the process through which assets from a deceased person’s estate are transferred to beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, and other loved ones. In plain terms, reading a person’s will and distributing the items contained in it is part of the probate process. In some states, probate courts also handle matters related to guardianships and conservatorships of children or disabled adults.
What Happens if You Don’t Do Probate?
Without an estate plan in place, the probate process will often still go forward, but it can get messier. Someone who dies without a will in place will often have their assets given to any survivors, even if that would have gone against their wishes. Court battles can unfold among relatives who feel like they deserve more.
How Long Does Probate Take?
In a simple case where there are no disputes, and the deceased had a strong plan in place, the probate process of distributing assets and paying off debts may only take a few months to complete. If someone challenges the will or any other part of the estate distribution, it can take much longer.
How Can You Avoid Probate?
If you want your beneficiaries to avoid the hassle of probate, you have several options. You can make sure to name beneficiaries of bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance policies. You could also move your assets to a living trust, which will allow you to access them while you are still alive but will automatically pass to your beneficiaries upon your death.