How Do I Claim a Deceased Person's Unclaimed Property in Georgia?
In Georgia, a deceased owner's unclaimed property is claimed from the Georgia Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property ProgramO.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 12, Article 5 (Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 44-12-190 to 44-12-239.2Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
File the claim with the Georgia Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property ProgramO.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 12, Article 5 (Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 44-12-190 to 44-12-239.2Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The search and the claim start at the office's site. An heir claiming without a probate order files an affidavit signed by all heirs stating that they have agreed on a division of the estate and that funeral expenses, last-illness expenses and other lawful claims have been paid, plus a copy of the will if the owner died testateO.C.G.A. 44-12-220Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Heirs can claim without letters from a probate court through the Affidavit signed by all heirs (O.C.G.A. 44-12-220(i)), for property held for the owner of $7,500 or lessGa. L. 2026, Act 410 (SB 403), as passed: heirs' affidavit claims (eff. July 1, 2026)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source. Since July 1, 2026, O.C.G.A. 44-12-220(i) lets an heir claim without a probate court order when the Department holds $7,500 or less in total for the owner and no Georgia probate proceeding is pending or has ever been filedO.C.G.A. 44-12-220Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The claim on that route includes: The claim form the Department prescribes; A legible copy of the claimant's driver's license, or other photo identification the Department accepts; The affidavit, signed by all the heirs; A copy of the will, if the owner left one; Any further information the Department needs to determine who is entitledGa. L. 2026, Act 410 (SB 403), as passed: heirs' affidavit claims (eff. July 1, 2026)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
For a claim without a probate order, O.C.G.A. 44-12-192(7.1) defines an heir as an adult who is the surviving spouse, child, parent or sibling of the deceased ownerO.C.G.A. 44-12-192Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. With letters from a probate court, the claim is made by the executor of the deceased owner's estateHow Do I Search for Unclaimed Property? (Georgia Department of Revenue)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source.
Every state where the person had an address can hold some of the property: the holding company reports it to the state of the owner's last-known address, and to its own home state where it has no address on record. MissingMoney.com searches most states at once. Insurance, savings bonds, pensions, refunds and failed-bank deposits sit in federal and national databases: the Treasury (TreasuryDirect), PBGC, the IRS, the FDIC, the NCUA, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator and the VA.
A finder (a claimant's designated representative) must register with the Department, use its agreement form and charge at most 30 percent of the amount claimed unless a court order is needed. Agreements made from July 1, 2026 are unenforceable for 120 days after the Department receives the propertyO.C.G.A. §§ 44-12-224, 44-12-239, 44-12-239.2(a)(10), 44-12-220(d.1)(4)Verified Oct 26, 2026View source. The same property can be claimed directly through the state's own program, which charges no fee.
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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 Oct 18, 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.
Estate Closing
In Georgia, the personal representative is discharged by court orderO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-50(c), 53-7-53Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
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 Letters Testamentary?
In Georgia, the Probate court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration once the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile appoints the personal representative; 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.
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Georgia Estate Settlement Resources
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