By Lisa Glauber Shippel, Esq.
Losing someone close to you is emotionally overwhelming. During those early days, it’s hard to know what to do first, especially when legal matters begin to surface.
Here is a simple guide for what to do after someone passes away, including how to begin the probate or estate administration process in Georgia.
Step 1: Take Care of Yourself and Immediate Needs
First things first, breathe. Take time to handle the personal and emotional side of the loss. That includes:
- Contacting a funeral home
- Notifying close family members or loved ones
- Making arrangements for memorial services
- Securing pets or dependents
You don’t need to have all the answers right away, just focus on the immediate steps and lean on your trusted support.
Step 2: Start Gathering Important Documents
Once the initial arrangements are underway, begin collecting key paperwork:
- Last Will and Testament (if available)
- Trust documents
- Life insurance policies
- Deeds, account statements, or property records
- Marriage and birth certificates
It’s also a good idea to secure the home and mail, especially if it may be unoccupied for a while.
Step 3: Determine If You Need Probate or Administration
After identifying the estate assets and documents, you’ll need to determine whether probate or administration is required:
- Probate: Used when there is a valid Will. The named Executor petitions the court to carry out the terms of the Will.
- Administration: Used when there is no Will. In this case, the court appoints someone (often a family member) to handle the estate, but state law determines who receives what.
Don’t panic if there’s no Will—there’s a legal process for that too. An experienced probate attorney can help guide you through it.
At Lisa Shippel Law, we help families across Georgia with both probate and administration. We work to ease the legal burden so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one.
If someone close to you has passed, and you’re unsure what to do or whether probate is necessary, we’re here to support you.
Contact Lisa Shippel Law Today Serving Alpharetta, Roswell, and Greater Atlanta
info@lisashippellaw.com
678-615-3349