If you have heard of probate, you have probably also heard that it can be costly and time-consuming. However, if you live in Georgia, your heirs may have options when it comes to your estate. Review the Georgia probate process so these details can inform your estate...
Duluth Georgia Estate Planning Legal Blog
Planning for federal estate taxes
Like most people in Georgia, you likely assume that the government will levy taxes against your estate upon your death (thus decreasing the assets you have to pass on to beneficiaries). Yet just as it is for many of those that come to us here at the Emert Law Firm, it...
When is a simple will enough?
A common theme among estate planning articles is that a simple will is not enough. Do not let these articles scare you as, for most people, a will is more than sufficient. According to Dave Ramsey, a simple will is a document that lets you outline what assets you want...
QTIP trusts and blended families
The estate planning process raises many questions as people must work through personal preferences and practical decisions. The plethora of estate planning tools offers flexibility but may also create confusion for some people. When evaluating estate planning tools,...
The importance of an advance directive for healthcare
When planning for the future, many people think about retirement planning and asset protection and distribution. However, fewer people consider what will happen if they are unable to make their own medical decisions. An advance directive for health care outlines...
Strategies to avoid probate in Georgia
If you are planning your estate, you may have concerns about your family handling the expensive, complex probate process. Fortunately, state laws in Georgia may allow some or all of your estate assets to bypass probate and go straight to your intended beneficiaries. ...
Does Georgia have an estate tax?
If you amassed significant wealth in Georgia, you may wonder if you will have to pay estate taxes. Estate taxes can significantly increase the cost of death, especially for the wealthy, which is why many individuals take proactive measures to avoid them. The good news...
Funding a trust with life insurance
A will is an important part of your Georgia estate plan. However, when you have specific goals in mind or wish to maximize how much of a legacy you have to leave behind, you may want to think about trusts. Several different types of trusts exist, including revocable...
What are living trusts?
Two big pillars of estate planning are wills and living trusts. Most people are familiar with the concept of a will: it is a document that can act as a guide for distributing assets or making arrangements after one's death. For instance, you can use a will to ensure...
Who is the best choice for your estate executor?
As a resident of Georgia, you spent time and effort to build up your estate. As such, it only makes sense that you put just as much time and effort into protecting it. You should ensure it gets handled according to your wishes after your death. In order to ensure...