Proper Planning Can Help You Avoid Probate

In Georgia, probating the estate of a decedent who died with a valid will is not terribly time-consuming or expensive as long as the will is not contested. However, if the will is contested the process can become very complicated and costly.

Administering the estate of a person who died "intestate" — without a valid will — can be confusing and expensive. State law will determine who gets the decedent's property without giving any consideration to the closeness of familial relationships and friendships.

Removing assets from your estate can also shield them from creditor claims. At your death, debts must be paid out of your estate. When assets are removed from your estate, they cannot be used to satisfy debts. Placing assets in a trust may be a smart choice to protect family wealth.

Located in Peachtree City, Lindsey & Lacy, PC, helps clients throughout the South Atlanta metro area create estate plans that streamline the probate process and avoid probate and estate administration altogether.

Safeguard Your Assets And Reduce The Stress And Expense For Family Members

When you die, your estate consists of all property owned at your death. However, there are ways to move these assets out of your estate while you are still living.

At Lindsey & Lacy, PC, our lawyers specifically tailor estate plans to meet the needs of each individual client. Depending on the size of your estate and the types of assets involved, we will craft a comprehensive estate plan that takes advantage of the many tools available to avoid probate.

Common estate planning tools include:

  • Jointly held property
  • Transfer on death deeds
  • Living trusts
  • Payable on death accounts
  • Transfer on death registrations
  • Beneficiary designations
  • Gifts

Transferring assets out of your estate can also save tax money. If your estate is large enough to be subject to estate tax, removing items from your probate estate will reduce or even eliminate the estate taxes owed. The result: you leave more money and property to your family.

Being Proactive Pays Off. Call Us Today.

At Lindsey & Lacy, PC, we help clients create comprehensive estate plans that avoid the probate process and safeguard assets for the next generation. Call our Peachtree law office at 770-486-8445 schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys. You can also email our firm to tell us about your legal needs.