How Do I Settle an Estate in Georgia?

Georgia allows estates valued at $15,000 or less to use the Bank Deposit Affidavit, which avoids full probate administration.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 (bank deposit affidavit), § 53-2-40 (no administration necessary), § 53-5-15/§ 53-5-16 (common/solemn form probate), § 53-6-50 (bond), § 53-6-53 (bond on mismanagement), § 53-6-60 (executor commission), § 53-7-1(b)/§ 53-7-33/§ 53-7-69 (unsupervised administration), § 53-7-6 (attorney fees), § 53-7-41 (creditor claims/publication)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The Bank Deposit Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. There is no statutory waiting period. As you enter the estate's assets, the plan totals what is subject to probate and checks it against that limit.

Creditors in Georgia have 3 months from last publication of notice to file claims against the estate.O.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Jul 13, 2026 The executor must publish notice in a local newspaper for 4 consecutive weeks. All claims are barred 6 years after death regardless of notice. No final distribution should occur until this period expires. Enter the date the clock started and the plan works out when the window closes, then holds the distribution and final-accounting steps until it does.

Georgia typically requires a probate bond, but it can be waived if specified in the will.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 (bank deposit affidavit), § 53-2-40 (no administration necessary), § 53-5-15/§ 53-5-16 (common/solemn form probate), § 53-6-50 (bond), § 53-6-53 (bond on mismanagement), § 53-6-60 (executor commission), § 53-7-1(b)/§ 53-7-33/§ 53-7-69 (unsupervised administration), § 53-7-6 (attorney fees), § 53-7-41 (creditor claims/publication)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The bond protects beneficiaries and creditors from executor mismanagement. Bond premiums typically cost approximately 0.5% of the estate value annually.

In Georgia, simple estates typically settle in 6-9 months. Average estates take 9-12 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets can take 12-24 months or longer.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 (bank deposit affidavit), § 53-2-40 (no administration necessary), § 53-5-15/§ 53-5-16 (common/solemn form probate), § 53-6-50 (bond), § 53-6-53 (bond on mismanagement), § 53-6-60 (executor commission), § 53-7-1(b)/§ 53-7-33/§ 53-7-69 (unsupervised administration), § 53-7-6 (attorney fees), § 53-7-41 (creditor claims/publication)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The plan lays the work out across those months and reorders it around the dates you enter.

An executor (or personal representative) in Georgia is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to beneficiaries. The specific duties depend on whether the estate goes through formal probate or qualifies for simplified procedures. The plan carries each of those duties as a task, with the institution, agency, or office it belongs to attached. See the Georgia executor appointment guide for how to get appointed and begin.

Estate settlement costs in Georgia include court filing fees, attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and potentially a probate bond. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $41,248 depending on complexity. Costs you pay out of pocket go on the ledger as reimbursable disbursements, so what the estate owes you back is on the record. Use the Georgia probate calculator for a detailed cost estimate.