In Georgia, estates with personal property of $15,000O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Bank Deposit AffidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Real property is outside the affidavitO.C.G.A. § 7-1-239Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which reaches personal property only. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.
Yes. Georgia publishes Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form (GPCSF 5)O.C.G.A. § 53-5-20 et seq. (probate of will in solemn form / Letters Testamentary); § 53-6-20 et seq. (Letters of Administration); § 53-6-1 (eligibility), § 53-6-10 (nomination by testator), § 53-6-11 (qualification)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source, filed with the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicileO.C.G.A. § 53-5-20 et seq. (probate of will in solemn form / Letters Testamentary); § 53-6-20 et seq. (Letters of Administration); § 53-6-1 (eligibility), § 53-6-10 (nomination by testator), § 53-6-11 (qualification)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. E-filing is open to self-represented filersO.C.G.A. § 53-5-20 et seq. (probate of will in solemn form / Letters Testamentary); § 53-6-20 et seq. (Letters of Administration); § 53-6-1 (eligibility), § 53-6-10 (nomination by testator), § 53-6-11 (qualification)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
The creditor claim period of 3 monthsO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Sep 15, 2026View source protects the personal representative who distributes after it; it is not a bar, and late claims can still reach undistributed assets. Every claim is barred 72 monthsO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Sep 15, 2026View source after the date of death, whether or not notice was given.
Within 180 daysO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-30, 53-7-31, 53-7-32, 53-7-33Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.
The personal representative closes the estate by filing a Petition for Discharge of Personal Representative (GPCSF 33) under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-50, certifying full administration, payment of all claims, and filing of all required inventory and returns (or relief from them); after citation to the heirs/beneficiaries and one-time publication, the probate court enters an order discharging the personal representative from office and from all liability if no objection is filedO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-50, 53-7-52, 53-7-53 (Discharge and Resignation); §§ 53-7-60, 53-7-62, 53-7-63 (Settlement of Accounts)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.