What to Do When Someone Dies in Gwinnett County, Georgia

Probate in Gwinnett County runs through the Probate Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

When someone dies in Gwinnett County, settling their estate runs through the Probate Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

Probate Court

Gwinnett County

Address

75 Langley DriveLawrenceville, GA 30046

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing availableE-filing optional

Departments

  • Estates Division Fax
  • Vital Records Division Fax

Article 6 expanded jurisdiction Probate Court. Estate Division located in Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.

Verified July 3, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Gwinnett County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Gwinnett County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. Gwinnett County uses efilega.tylertech.cloud for probate e-filing, while most Georgia counties file through TrueFiling.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Georgia intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Georgia estates take 9 months to 12 months to move through this process. 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 creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Gwinnett County

What probate costs in Gwinnett County, Georgia comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

Probate matters are handled through Estates Division Fax and Vital Records Division Fax. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.

Local procedures at this court that affect cost: Accepts cash, credit cards (Visa, Discover, MasterCard), personal check, or money order. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.

The Probate Court charges $175O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60(e)(1) (2024 Ga. L. Act 515 / SB 232, eff. 1/1/2025)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

The Probate Court accepts e-filing (https://efilega.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Georgia are negotiated, typically 2.1%O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (PR authorized "to provide competent legal counsel for the estate...either the personal representative or the attorney employed may, by petition to the probate court...obtain a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses"; no statutory percentage) (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-6 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (PR authorized "to provide competent legal counsel for the estate...either the personal representative or the attorney employed may, by petition to the probate court...obtain a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses"; no statutory percentage) (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-6 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is also statutory in Georgia. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Georgia requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%O.C.G.A. § 53-6-50(a),(c) ("any person who seeks to qualify to serve as the personal representative of an intestate estate or as a temporary administrator shall be required to give bond"; such a PR "may be relieved from the requirement for giving bond by the unanimous consent of the heirs of the estate") (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-6-50 (2025)); § 53-6-53 (PR qualified to serve without bond may still be ordered to give bond on a showing of mismanagement) (Verified 2026-07-14)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.

Probate in Georgia typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the Probate Court

Probate documents in Gwinnett County can be filed in person at the Probate Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.

Filings here are routed through Estates Division Fax and Vital Records Division Fax. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.

E-Filing Also Available

If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.

View E-Filing Information

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Gwinnett County Self-Filing Assessment.

Gwinnett County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

Electronic filing through Odyssey eFileGA (Tyler Technologies) for estate and guardianship matters. In-person filings accepted at the Certificates & Licensing Division on the first floor during renovations.

Other Requirements

Estates office and Courtroom 1-H under renovation as of March 4, 2026. Estate filings temporarily processed at the Certificates & Licensing Division (first floor). Contact court three business days before a hearing to confirm courtroom location.

What to Bring

To file at the Probate Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Gwinnett County

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Clerk of Superior Court.

Deeds and other real property documents for Gwinnett County are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court, led by Tiana P. Garner, at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. Phone: 770-822-8100. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to P.O. Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.

The Clerk of Superior Court charges $25 flat, regardless of page count.

Gwinnett County requires electronic recording through GSCCCA eFile Portal; paper documents are not accepted.

Recording Office Record

Clerk of Superior Court

Gwinnett County · Tiana P. Garner

Address

75 Langley DriveLawrenceville, GA 30046Mailing: P.O. Box 880, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

E-recording

Required via GSCCCA eFile PortalE-recording info →
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$25
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

O.C.G.A. 15-6-77(f)(1)(A)(i)

Verified September 4, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Gwinnett County

Georgia uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Gwinnett County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Probate attorney fees in Georgia are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2.1%O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (PR authorized "to provide competent legal counsel for the estate...either the personal representative or the attorney employed may, by petition to the probate court...obtain a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses"; no statutory percentage) (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-6 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (PR authorized "to provide competent legal counsel for the estate...either the personal representative or the attorney employed may, by petition to the probate court...obtain a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses"; no statutory percentage) (Verified 2026-09-08 against GA Code § 53-7-6 (2025))Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Gwinnett County firm to quote a structure up front.

A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmAtlanta, GA

Brian M. Douglas & Associates, LLC

Serves 7 counties

Serves Atlanta, Georgia, along with Fulton County, Cobb County, Cherokee County, Forsyth County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, and Douglas County.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
900 Circle 75 Parkway, Suite 800Atlanta, GA 30339
Free consultation

FirmAtlanta, GA

Chambers, Chambers & Chambers, LLP

Since 1979 · Serves 4 counties

Family-operated Atlanta firm on North Druid Hills Road serving Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. Its probate practice covers probate in solemn form (formal, with heir notification), probate in common form, and letters of administration for intestate estates, alongside estate and trust administration.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate Administration

Office
2250 North Druid Hills Road NE, Suite 243Atlanta, GA 30329

FirmMarietta, GA

Chan Law Firm LLC

Serves 4 counties

Founding attorney Ophelia Chan, former staff attorney and assisting judge of Cobb County Probate Court, has served clients in Marietta and the metro Atlanta area for more than 25 years.

PracticesEstate AdministrationProbate LitigationConservatorshipGuardianship

Office
244 Roswell Street, Suite 700Marietta, GA 30060

Solo PracticeJohns Creek, GA

Grissom Law, LLC

Serves 5 counties

A Johns Creek estate planning firm serving individuals, families, and small business owners with wealth preservation, trusts, special needs planning, wills, probate, and elder law services.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
10475 Medlock Bridge Road, Suite 215Johns Creek, GA 30097

Solo PracticeLawrenceville, GA

Hurban Law, LLC

Serves 4 counties

A Lawrenceville solo practice led by Tim Hurban, providing estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate services to Gwinnett County families for over 15 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
1755 North Brown Road, Suite 200Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Free consultation

FirmLawrenceville, GA

Life Well Lived Law Group, LLC

Serves 5 counties

Serves Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta with estate planning, probate, estate administration, asset protection, and guardianship services.

PracticesEstate PlanningConservatorshipGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
175 Langley Drive, Suite A4Lawrenceville, GA 30046
See all 14 firms serving Gwinnett County→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Georgia statutes and official state code. How we research.