What Do I Do When Someone Dies in Georgia?

A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with the state's rules, deadlines, fees, and official forms noted on the steps they apply to. Free PDF.

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Georgia Executor Checklist

50 tasks to complete

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Notify immediate family members

Contact close family members who need to know. Coordinate funeral arrangements and gather contact information for extended family and friends.

Confirm who has authority over final arrangements

Georgia: State law sets the order of who controls disposition of remains. Order: Health care agent named in an advance directive for health care; then Person designated on DD Form 93 (if decedent died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces); then Person designated by decedent in a notarized affidavit; then others in statutory order. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls over this order.

Arrange burial, cremation, or other disposition

Work with a funeral home, crematory, or other provider to arrange disposition of the body. State rules govern cremation waiting periods, required authorizations, and burial or disposition permits. The funeral home typically provides certified death certificates and files the death certificate with vital records.

Georgia: A burial or disposition permit is required, issued by Disposition permits: local registrar of the county where death occurred or the body was found, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, issued on request of the licensed funeral director or person acting as such (O.C.G.A. 31-10-20). Family burial plot establishment permits: the governing authority of the county or municipal corporation where the plot will be located (O.C.G.A. 36-72A-2). The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. Typical state costs: direct cremation ~$1,800, direct burial ~$3,200, traditional funeral ~$8,000.

How many death certificates do I need?

Obtain certified death certificates

Georgia: Order from Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records. Fee: $25/copy ($5 additional). Available: online, mail, in-person. Processing: 8-10 weeks for mail-in requests.

Unsure how many death certificates you need?

Secure the residence and valuables

Change locks if necessary, ensure the home is secured, and safeguard valuable items. Review who has keys and whether security measures are needed.

Georgia: Has constitutional homestead protection. Homestead exemption up to $21,500. Minor children also protected.

Locate estate planning documents

Find the original will, trust documents, and any amendments. Check the home, safe deposit box, and contact any attorney the deceased worked with.

Determine if probate is necessary

Evaluate whether the estate qualifies for small estate procedures or if full probate is required based on asset values and types.

Georgia: Small estate affidavit available for estates under $15,000. Independent administration reduces court oversight.

Do I need probate?Estimate probate costs in your state

Arrange mail forwarding or collection

Ensure mail is collected regularly to identify bills, accounts, and important correspondence. Forwarding mail to the executor/trustee is common practice.

USPS death notification procedures

Notify Social Security Administration

Report the death to Social Security. The funeral home often does this, but verify it was done. Surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits.

Federal: Timing: As soon as possible after death — payments for the month of death and later must be returned. The funeral home typically initiates the report. SSA: 1-800-772-1213.

SSA death notification procedures

Notify Medicare/Medicaid if applicable

Cancel Medicare coverage and return the Medicare card. If on Medicaid, notify the state agency to avoid benefit continuation.

Georgia: Medicare: No Medicare notification deadline — coverage ends with the death and CMS is notified through SSA. Deadlines that do bind the estate: a Medicare Secondary Payer demand must be repaid within 60 calendar days or interest accrues (42 CFR 411.24(h)), and any claim for services furnished before death must be filed within 12 months of the date of service.. If the deceased received Medicaid, Georgia's estate recovery program (Georgia Department of Community Health — State Medicaid Estate Recovery Program) may file a claim against the estate for benefits paid. Exemptions and hardship waivers are state-specific.

Medicare/Medicaid death notification procedures Georgia Medicaid estate recovery program

Notify Veterans Affairs if applicable

If the deceased was a veteran, notify the VA to stop benefits and inquire about burial benefits and survivor benefits.

Federal: Timing: No fixed deadline to report the death, but report right away to stop payments and avoid overpayment debt; accrued-benefits and substitution requests are due within 1 year of death, and non-service-connected burial allowance claims within 2 years of burial. VA: 1-800-827-1000 (select 5 to report a death); 1-800-535-1117 (national cemetery scheduling).

VA death notification and survivor benefits

Notify employer or former employer

Contact employer about final paycheck, accrued PTO, life insurance, retirement benefits, and COBRA options for survivors.

Employer benefits and pension after a death

Notify banks and financial institutions

Contact each bank and financial institution. They will freeze accounts until proper documentation is provided.

Find your bank or credit union death claim process FDIC guidance on accounts after a death

Notify insurance companies

Contact life insurance companies to file claims. Also notify health, auto, and homeowner insurance to update or cancel policies.

Georgia: Divorce does not automatically revoke beneficiary designations — a former spouse named on a policy or account may still be the legal beneficiary.

Find your insurance company death claim process

Freeze credit at all three bureaus

Place a deceased alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent identity theft. Over 2 million deceased identities are stolen annually.

FTC identity theft prevention for the deceased

Gather financial account statements

Collect recent statements for all bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and any other financial accounts.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Gather real estate documents

Locate deeds, mortgage statements, property tax bills, and homeowner insurance policies for all real property. Check the county recorder for any recorded Transfer on Death deeds.

Georgia: Has constitutional homestead protection. Homestead exemption up to $21,500. Minor children also protected. Georgia allows Transfer on Death (TOD) deeds. Check the county recorder's office to see if a TOD deed was recorded -- if so, the property transfers outside probate.

What is a Transfer on Death deed?

Gather recent tax returns

Locate the last 3-5 years of federal and state income tax returns. These help identify income sources, assets, and deductions.

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies

Obtain an EIN for the estate

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The estate needs its own tax ID to open bank accounts and file tax returns.

Apply for an estate EIN IRS procedures when someone dies

File petition for probate with the court

Submit the original will (if any) and petition to open probate. You will need to pay filing fees and may need to post a bond.

Georgia: Statewide form: GPCSF 5 (Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form). File with the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile (one probate court per county). Filing fee $175. Independent administration reduces court supervision. Typical duration: 6-24 months.

Can I self-file probate?GPCSF 5 (official form)Prepare a Petition for Probate and Letters

Obtain letters testamentary or administration

Once appointed by the court, obtain letters testamentary (with will) or letters of administration (without will). These prove your authority.

Georgia: Letters Testamentary are issued by the Probate court (clerk/judge), after the executor or administrator qualifies by taking the required oath. The state's title for the role is Personal Representative (executor if testate, administrator if intestate). Typically filed with the petition: 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 default; Statutory filing fee of $175.00 for the estate petition (O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60(e)(1)), plus the add-on sums required by § 15-9-60(b) and any service/publication costs.

Prepare a Petition for Probate and Letters

Post surety bond if required

If the court requires a bond, obtain a surety bond from an insurance company. The bond protects beneficiaries from executor misconduct.

Georgia: Bond required unless waived in will. Typical premium: 0.5% of estate value. Beneficiaries may waive bond in writing (O.C.G.A. § 53-6-50(a) (PR of an intestate estate / temporary administrator must give bond), § 53-6-50(c) (relieved by unanimous consent of the heirs), § 53-7-1(b) (the unanimous-consent-plus-published-citation procedure that § 53-6-50(c) incorporates by reference — on its own terms § 53-7-1(b) grants the § 53-12-261 powers, and GPCSF 3 instruction 3 is what extends it to waiver of bond, reports and statements), § 53-6-50(b), (e) (corporate-fiduciary and chose-in-action exemptions), § 53-6-53 (court may require bond of a PR serving without it)).

Open an estate bank account

Open a dedicated checking account for the estate using the EIN and letters testamentary. All estate income and expenses flow through this account.

Consider hiring a probate attorney

For complex estates or if unfamiliar with probate, hiring an attorney is common. Many states allow statutory attorney fees.

Georgia: Attorney fees typically 2.1-3.4% of estate.

Find a probate attorney in your state Can I self-file probate instead?

Publish notice to creditors

Publish a notice in a local newspaper to alert potential creditors. This starts the creditor claim period running.

Georgia: Georgia requires publication for 4 consecutive weeks. Typical cost: $150. The executor places the notice with the newspaper directly. Creditors have 3 months from last publication to file claims.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?Find a legal newspaper (state press association)

Inventory digital accounts and assets

Identify email accounts, social media, online banking, cryptocurrency, and other digital assets. Note any password managers used.

Georgia: Georgia has adopted digital asset access laws (2018). User authorization or court order may be required to access accounts. Online tool authorizations (like Google Inactive Account Manager) are valid.

Digital assets guide

Search for unclaimed property and lost assets

Search the state unclaimed property database for forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and refunds owed to the deceased. Estates frequently recover assets the deceased never tracked.

Georgia: Search Georgia Department of Revenue — Unclaimed Property Program for forgotten accounts, refunds, and uncashed checks owed to the deceased.

Georgia Department of Revenue — Unclaimed Property Program unclaimed property search

Manage real estate

Maintain property, continue paying mortgage and taxes, arrange for property management if needed, and prepare for sale or transfer.

Estimate probate costs for real estate

Review and manage investments

Review investment accounts, decide whether to maintain or liquidate positions, and manage accounts prudently during administration.

Find your brokerage death claim process SEC guidance on accounts after a death

Handle retirement accounts

Contact retirement account custodians about beneficiary claims. IRAs and 401(k)s typically pass by beneficiary designation, not through the estate.

Georgia: Divorce does not automatically revoke beneficiary designations — a former spouse named on a policy or account may still be the legal beneficiary.

Find your retirement provider death claim process Are my beneficiary designations protected?

Identify and list all debts

Create a comprehensive list of all debts including credit cards, loans, mortgages, and any other obligations.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?CFPB guidance on debts after a death

Cancel subscriptions and memberships

Cancel recurring charges for subscriptions, memberships, and services no longer needed.

Managing digital accounts after a death

File inventory with the court

Prepare and file an inventory of all estate assets with their values. The filing deadline runs from your appointment as personal representative and is set by state law.

Georgia: Inventory due within 180 days of appointment. You set the fair-market values yourself; no independent appraiser is required. Supplemental inventory required for assets discovered after the initial filing. The inventory can be dispensed with either by a will provision relieving the personal representative or by the unanimous written consent of all beneficiaries (testate) or heirs (intestate) authorizing the probate court to relieve the duty to make inventory; that same unanimous consent also relieves the personal representative of sending a copy to the heirs or beneficiaries.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Review and respond to creditor claims

Review claims submitted by creditors. Reject invalid claims and pay valid debts from estate/trust assets.

Georgia: If the estate cannot pay every claim, payment order: Year's support for the family; then Funeral expenses; then Other necessary expenses of administration; then remaining claims in statutory order.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?

Wait for creditor claim period to expire

Do not make final distributions until the creditor claim period has expired. This protects you from personal liability.

Georgia: Creditor claim period is 3 months from last publication. All claims are barred 6 years after death regardless of notice.

What are the creditor claim deadlines?

Transfer vehicle titles

Transfer ownership of vehicles to beneficiaries or the estate. Contact the state DMV with a death certificate and title documents.

Georgia: Georgia does not offer transfer-on-death vehicle title designations. Vehicles pass through the estate or under other title rules.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

File final personal income tax return

File a final IRS Form 1040 for the deceased covering January 1 through date of death. Write "DECEASED," the decedent's name, and the date of death across the top of the return. If filing jointly with a surviving spouse, include both incomes. Attach Form 1310 to claim a refund, unless you are the surviving spouse filing a joint return or a court-appointed personal representative attaching a copy of the court certificate to the original return.

Georgia: File Form 500 for January 1 through date of death. Due April 15 following year of death. The surviving spouse, administrator, or executor may file on behalf of a taxpayer who died during the taxable year, using the same filing status as the federal return (2025 IT-511 Booklet, "Filing for Deceased Taxpayers"). Check the deceased checkbox on Page 1, Line 1 and enter the date of death in the signature section (IT-511, Form 500 instructions). Form GA-5347 (Deceased Taxpayer Refund Check Claim) is used to have a refund CHECK already issued in the deceased taxpayer's name reissued — mail GA-5347 with a copy of the death certificate and the original check to the address on the form; it is not a general refund-claim form. O.C.G.A. § 48-7-50 (persons required to file returns).

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 1040 (Federal)IRS Free File Form 500 (Georgia)Georgia Online Filing

File estate/trust income tax return

If the estate or trust earns income during administration ($600 in gross income), file IRS Form 1041. Required if estate gross income is $600 or more, or if any beneficiary is a nonresident alien. The estate can choose a fiscal year. Use Form 7004 for an automatic 5.5-month extension of time to file.

Georgia: File Form 501 for estate/trust income. Required when Required whenever a federal fiduciary income tax return (Form 1041) is required — O.C.G.A. § 48-7-50(a)(3)-(4): "Resident estate or trust that is required to file a federal income tax return"; "Nonresident estate or trust that has federal gross income from sources within this state". Due April 15 for a calendar-year estate or trust, or the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of a fiscal year; a Georgia return is automatically extended by an approved federal extension (attach a copy to the return), otherwise file Form IT-303 — a FIDUCIARY extension cannot exceed 5 1/2 months (not the 6 months allowed other filers) and does not extend the time to pay (pay with Form IT-560). Georgia exemption on Schedule 1, Line 6 (2025 Form 501 instruction booklet, dor.georgia.gov, fetched 2026-07-13): estates $2,700; trusts $1,350. Fiduciaries are taxed at the single-individual rate — O.C.G.A. § 48-7-20(d) (4.99% flat for TY 2026 per HB 463). Estimated tax: O.C.G.A. § 48-7-114 requires a fiduciary to pay estimated tax when it reasonably expects gross income exceeding (1) the estate/trust exemption, plus (2) estimated deductions, plus (3) $1,000 of income not subject to withholding — BUT "a fiduciary shall not be required to pay estimated tax with respect to any taxable year ending before the date two years after the date of the decedent's death" for the estate of a decedent or a testamentary trust as defined in IRC § 6654(l)(2)(B) (2025 Form 501 Booklet, "Estimated Tax"). Note that the fiduciary filing extension is capped at 5 1/2 months, not the 6 months available to individual filers (Form IT-303, Rev. 06/07/24).

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 1041 (Federal)Form 501 (Georgia)

Determine if estate tax return is required

For estates exceeding the federal exemption ($15,000,000), IRS Form 706 is required. Some states have lower thresholds. File Form 4768 for an automatic 6-month extension of time to file. The estate and GST tax is still due within 9 months of death; an extension of time to pay must be requested separately on the same form. Form 706 may also be filed to elect portability of the unused exemption to a surviving spouse.

Georgia: No state estate or inheritance tax. Only federal Form 706 applies if estate exceeds the federal exemption ($15,000,000).

How much are estate and inheritance taxes?IRS procedures when someone dies IRS Form 706 (Federal)Form 4768 (Extension)

Obtain tax clearance if required

Some states require tax clearance or closing letters before final distribution. Distributing without clearance can create personal liability for the executor or trustee.

Georgia: No tax clearance or estate-tax waiver is required before distributing a Georgia estate. An optional Tax Clearance Letter (checking for balances and delinquent periods across all accounts) can be requested for any tax type, including individuals, through the Georgia Tax Center.

Do I have to file tax returns for someone who died?Georgia Tax Clearance

Determine your executor commission

An executor or personal representative is entitled to compensation for administering the estate. Some states set commissions by statute; others allow reasonable compensation. Decide whether to take a commission and document the basis before final distribution.

Georgia: Executor compensation is set by statute. Commissions are taxable income to the executor and are usually waived when the executor is also the main beneficiary.

How much can an executor charge?

Prepare distribution plan

Create a detailed plan for distributing assets according to the trust terms, will provisions, or intestate succession laws.

Who inherits without a will?

Notify beneficiaries of proposed distribution

Provide beneficiaries with a proposed distribution and accounting before making distributions.

I'm inheriting - what do I need to know?

Handle specific bequests

Distribute specific items (jewelry, heirlooms, etc.) to named beneficiaries as specified in the will or trust.

What are my personal items worth for probate?

Obtain receipts and releases from beneficiaries

Have beneficiaries sign receipts acknowledging distributions. Releases from liability are also commonly obtained.

Distribute assets to beneficiaries

Transfer assets to beneficiaries according to the distribution plan. Keep detailed records of all distributions.

Prepare final accounting

Create a detailed accounting showing all assets, income, expenses, and distributions. This may be required by the court or beneficiaries.

File final accounting with the court

Submit the final accounting to the probate court for approval. This is required before the estate can be formally closed.

Can I self-file probate?

Petition to close the estate

File a petition with the court to formally close the estate once all duties are complete.

Estate closing forms

Retain records for required period

Keep copies of all documents, accountings, receipts, and tax returns. Most professionals recommend keeping records for 7-10 years.

I understand this is general guidance only and requirements vary by state. I will verify all requirements with my state's probate court.I understand this checklist is not legal advice; a licensed attorney handles legal questions.Send me helpful estate planning resources and updates

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This checklist provides general guidance for estate settlement. Requirements vary by state and circumstance. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.Data verified 2026-09-15

Frequently Asked Questions

Request 10-15 certified copies from the funeral home or state vital records office. You will need these for banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and other institutions. Each institution typically requires an original certified copy. Order from Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records. Fee: $25/copy ($5 additional). Available: online, mail, in-person. Processing: 8-10 weeks for mail-in requests.

State law sets the order of who has the legal right to decide burial, cremation, or other disposition. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls. Confirm who holds this authority before arrangements are made. State law sets the order of who controls disposition of remains. Order: Health care agent named in an advance directive for health care; then Person designated on DD Form 93 (if decedent died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces); then Person designated by decedent in a notarized affidavit; then others in statutory order. A written pre-need designation by the deceased, if one exists, controls over this order.

Evaluate whether the estate qualifies for small estate procedures or if full probate is required based on asset values and types. Small estate affidavit available for estates under $15,000. Independent administration reduces court oversight.

Submit the original will (if any) and petition to open probate. You will need to pay filing fees and may need to post a bond. Statewide form: GPCSF 5 (Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form). File with the Probate Court of the county of the decedent's domicile (one probate court per county). Filing fee $175. Independent administration reduces court supervision. Typical duration: 6-24 months.

Once appointed by the court, obtain letters testamentary (with will) or letters of administration (without will). These prove your authority. Letters Testamentary are issued by the Probate court (clerk/judge), after the executor or administrator qualifies by taking the required oath. The state's title for the role is Personal Representative (executor if testate, administrator if intestate). Typically filed with the petition: 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 default; Statutory filing fee of $175.00 for the estate petition (O.C.G.A. § 15-9-60(e)(1)), plus the add-on sums required by § 15-9-60(b) and any service/publication costs.

After a Death in Georgia

The first step in settling an estate in Georgia is evaluating the estate's size and how assets are titled. Estates under $15,000 may bypass formal probate entirely. Trust-held assets transfer outside probate regardless of value.

Creditors in Georgia have 3 months to file claims after notice is published. This claim period sets a minimum timeline for estate settlement. Simple estates typically close in 6 months to 9 months, while contested or complex estates take longer.

The executor or personal representative in Georgia manages all estate affairs during the settlement period. Georgia requires an executor bond by default. A bond waiver in the will eliminates this expense. Georgia provides a family allowance for eligible survivors during administration (O.C.G.A. §§ 53-3-1, 53-3-5). The Georgia executor fee calculator covers what that work can charge.

Total settlement costs depend on estate size, complexity, and whether disputes arise. Attorney fees, executor compensation, court filing fees, and publication costs total about $38,748 on a $500,000 estate. A revocable living trust bypasses this entire process — assets transfer privately without court involvement.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated September 8, 2026

Legal Sources

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

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Petition for Probate and Letters

Prepare the application to open probate and request Letters Testamentary or of Administration.

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Notice to Creditors

Prepare the creditor notice for an estate — the official state form or a notice typeset to statute, plus mailed notices for known creditors.

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Renunciation of Executor

Decline an appointment as executor — the writing filed with the court, drafted to your state's rule, with its deadline and filing office.

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Affidavit of Heirship

Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, composed to your state's statute with its recording instructions.

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Small Estate Affidavit

Prepare the affidavit that collects a small estate's property without probate — the official state form or an affidavit drafted to statute, plus a presentation letter for each holder.

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Estate Inventory

Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.

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How Much Does Probate Cost?

Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Calculate how much an executor (personal representative) can charge for administering an estate. See if your state has statutory fees or uses reasonable compensation.

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