In Eatonton, Bernard's Family Funeral Care operates its Eatonton Chapel on Willie Bailey Street, and the firm has a second chapel in Madison. Its staff of licensed funeral directors attends to each family's personal requests and traditions. The home states it is available 24/7.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Putnam County, Georgia
How probate works in Putnam County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Putnam County Probate Court
Putnam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 318, Eatonton, GA 31024
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
OptionalThe court accepts probate filings through TrueFiling. The original will and any surety bond are still filed on paper. On paper: Self-represented filers may file on paper (Uniform Probate Court Rule 5.3.12(B)(6)).
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe court describes itself as a self-help court: standard forms are available at the office to fill out and file, and the judge and clerks give general information but not legal advice.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card, Debit card.The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and Visa or MasterCard debit and credit cards. A convenience fee applies to card payments.
Fax
1-706-485-2515
About the court
- The court is on the third floor of the Putnam County Courthouse, East Wing, Room 318; the public entrance is on the Marion Street side. Handles estates, wills, guardianships and incapacity matters, marriage and firearm licenses, and vital records.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Putnam 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 Putnam County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 318, Eatonton.
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. Creditors have 3 monthsO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the last publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Putnam County
What probate costs in Putnam 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 100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 318, Eatonton.
Georgia's statutory fee for an estate petition is $175 statewide, and a $15 indigent defense fee is added to each petition that opens an estate. County law library and dispute resolution add-ons and any publication are charged on top, so counties' posted totals for an opening petition run about $200 to $209O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60(e)(1) (2024 Ga. L. Act 515 / SB 232, eff. 1/1/2025)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Georgia are negotiated, typically 2.1%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.4%Modeled estimate under O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (petition to the probate court for a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
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) (2 1/2 percent on sums received and on sums paid out; 10 percent on interest; up to 3% on property delivered in kind; up to 10% of annual income for working land)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Georgia requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under O.C.G.A. § 53-6-50(a),(c) (bond required of the personal representative of an intestate estate or a temporary administrator; relieved by the unanimous consent of the heirs)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 Putnam 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.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
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 trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Putnam County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: Original will (and any codicils), for testate estates (GPCSF 5/4); Acknowledgments of service / consents of heirs or beneficiaries, sworn before a notary or probate clerk (O.C.G.A. § 53-11-6); Oath of personal representative (GPCSF Supplement 4), administered by a probate judge or clerk (not a notary) — the oath is not part of the petition form itself (O.C.G.A. §§ 53-6-16, 53-6-24); Bond on the intestate track, unless all heirs consent to waive it (O.C.G.A. § 53-6-50(a), (c)); executors under a will are not within § 53-6-50 and give no bond by defaultO.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.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Putnam County
In Georgia a death is registered locally, and in Putnam County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Putnam County Probate Court, Vital Records as well as by Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records.
Vital Records Office Record
County Vital Records Office
Putnam County · Putnam County Probate Court, Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 318, Eatonton, GA 31024
Website
Fax
1-706-485-2515
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $25 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $5 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Coroner
Putnam County · Putnam County Coroner's Office
Office
882 South Oak Street, Eatonton, GA 31024
Website
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Funeral Homes in Putnam County
4 funeral homes and crematories in Putnam County, each listed with the services it offers, the faiths it serves, the languages its staff speak, its address and its phone.
In Eatonton, Hurt's Funeral Home serves Georgia's Lake Country and surrounding areas from North Maple Avenue, with a second location in Milledgeville. The home states it has provided funeral services for almost 70 years and that its staff is available 24-7. Its recently renovated Eatonton chapel has overflow seating for memorial services.
Vining Ivy Hill Chapel is a funeral home at 105 Lower Harmony Road in Eatonton, Georgia, in Putnam County. Its welcome page states that the chapel has served the Eatonton community for over forty years and describes its modern facilities and spacious rooms.
In Eatonton, Williams Funeral Home on North Jefferson Avenue serves Putnam County and is one of three Williams funeral homes, with the others in Milledgeville and Gordon. After its renovations it has a chapel seating 75 guests, with overflow seating in its visitation rooms. Its website states that video and live streaming of services are available.
Funeral homes by city: Eatonton
Listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any funeral home or crematory.
Transferring Property in Putnam 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 Putnam County are recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court at 100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 236, Eatonton, GA 31024. Phone: 1-706-485-4501. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The Clerk of Superior Court charges $25 flat, regardless of page count.
Putnam County requires electronic recording through the GSCCCA eFile Portal; paper documents are not accepted.
Recording Office Record
Clerk of Superior Court
Putnam County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 236, Eatonton, GA 31024
Website
E-recording
Fees
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $25 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
O.C.G.A. 15-6-77(f)(1)(A)(i)
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form · Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Putnam County
Georgia allows independent administrationO.C.G.A. § 53-7-1(b) (unanimous consent to the § 53-12-261 powers, without court authorization); § 53-7-33 (will may dispense with the inventory); § 53-7-69 (and the annual return)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so the personal representative manages, pays and distributes the estate without returning to the court for approval at each step. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Georgia are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Putnam 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.
A Monroe firm serving Walton County and surrounding counties that prepares wills, probates wills, administers estates, and files petitions for year's support. Takes contested estate matters, including will contests and caveats, undue influence and lack-of-capacity claims, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
A Covington firm led by Jason McCart, a Newton County native, with offices in Covington, Madison, Monticello, Monroe, and Eatonton. Handles estate planning and probate alongside real estate closings and business entity formation.
A real estate, business, and probate firm with offices in Dublin and Warner Robins serving Laurens and Houston counties and Middle Georgia. Attorney Jacob Darley prepares wills and handles probate matters.
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.
Legal Sources
(10)·
- O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60(e)(1) (2024 Ga. L. Act 515 / SB 232, eff. 1/1/2025)
- O.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
- 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)
- O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60(b)(1)-(4) (2 1/2 percent on sums received and on sums paid out; 10 percent on interest; up to 3% on property delivered in kind; up to 10% of annual income for working land)
- O.C.G.A. § 53-7-1(b) (unanimous consent to the § 53-12-261 powers, without court authorization); § 53-7-33 (will may dispense with the inventory); § 53-7-69 (and the annual return)
- O.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36
- O.C.G.A. 15-6-77(f)(1)(A)(i)
- Putnam County Probate Court, official page
- Putnam County Clerk of Superior Court, official page
- Putnam County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Georgia statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
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 taxes. Run each tool for Georgia.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate 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; creditors have 3 monthsO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Georgia happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's trust statuteO.C.G.A. § 53-12-1 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysO.C.G.A. §§ 53-12-242, 53-12-243, 53-12-307Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
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 trackVerified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.
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