Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Named as Executor
What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.
Learn more
Death of a Parent
A step-by-step guide to what happens after a parent dies: the documents to find, the certificates to order, and whether probate is even required.
Learn more
Loss of a Spouse
What a surviving spouse needs to do: death certificates, survivor benefits, whether probate is even required, and the tax election that expires.
Learn moreForms for Settling an Estate in Georgia
Free forms for settling an estate in Georgia: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Petition for Probate and Letters
In Georgia, the petition asks the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile to appoint the personal representative, whose authority is proved by Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtO.C.G.A. § 53-5-15 ("Probate of a will may be in common form or in solemn form or both") — both are proceedings in the probate court; no registrar/clerk appointment track (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-5-15 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Notice to Creditors
In Georgia, the notice to creditors is published for 4O.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Sep 15, 2026View source weeks in a local newspaper, and creditors have 3 monthsO.C.G.A. § 53-7-41(d) ("within three months from the date of publication of the personal representative's last notice") (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-41 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the last publication to present claims.
Renunciation of Executor
In Georgia, a person named as executor may decline to serveO.C.G.A. § 53-6-12Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
In Georgia, heirs put their identity on the land records with a recorded affidavit of facts affecting title that states who the heirs areO.C.G.A. §§ 44-2-14(b), 44-2-20, 40-3-34(d)-(e), 53-2-20, 53-2-40Verified Sep 24, 2026View source.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Georgia, the Bank Deposit AffidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $15,000O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
In Georgia, the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-30, 53-7-31, 53-7-32, 53-7-33Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Georgia
Free tools for settling an estate in Georgia: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Georgia sets executor compensation by statute — about $25,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 5.0%O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60(b)(1)-(4) ("Two and one-half percent commission on all sums of money received by the personal representative on account of the estate...and 2 1/2 percent commission on all sums paid out"; "Ten percent commission on the amount of interest made"; up to 3% of appraised value for delivery of property in kind; up to 10% of annual income for working land) (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-6-60 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Georgia, informal probate is not availableO.C.G.A. § 53-5-15 ("Probate of a will may be in common form or in solemn form or both") — both are proceedings in the probate court; no registrar/clerk appointment track (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-5-15 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Georgia, the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile appoints the personal representative and the Probate court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the courtO.C.G.A. § 53-5-15 ("Probate of a will may be in common form or in solemn form or both") — both are proceedings in the probate court; no registrar/clerk appointment track (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-5-15 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Georgia, the 3 monthsO.C.G.A. § 53-7-41(d) ("within three months from the date of publication of the personal representative's last notice") (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-41 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source period after the last publication of the creditor notice protects a representative who distributes after it; late claims can still reach undistributed assets.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Georgia pays the claims in 7O.C.G.A. § 53-7-40Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with year's support for the family.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
Hire a Georgia Probate Attorney
Browse 102 probate firms in Georgia with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Georgia Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Georgia probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.