Wills in Richmond Hill, GA

What a will does for your family

A last will and testament is your voice after you're gone. It names your beneficiaries — the people and organizations you want to receive your property — and appoints an executor to carry out your instructions. If you have minor children, your will is also where you name the guardians you trust to raise them, which is often the single most important decision a parent makes in an estate plan.

Without a will, Georgia law decides who receives your property through a set of default rules called intestacy. Those rules don't know your family, your wishes, or your relationships — and they often produce results that would surprise you. A will puts those decisions back in your hands and gives your family clear guidance instead of guesswork at an already difficult time.

What a will does not do

It's important to understand a will's limits. A will only takes effect after you pass away, and in Georgia it generally must go through probate — a court-supervised process that can take months, cost thousands, and become part of the public record. A will also does not help if you become incapacitated; for that you need powers of attorney and a Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care.

For many families, a sound approach is a will paired with other documents — or a revocable living trust designed to avoid probate altogether. We'll help you understand which combination fits your family and your goals. Not sure whether a will or a trust is right for you? Take our free Will or Trust quiz to get a quick read.

What makes a will valid in Georgia

Georgia has specific requirements for a will to be legally valid. You must be at least 14 years old and of sound mind. The will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two competent adults who also sign in your presence. While notarization isn't strictly required, a 'self-proving' affidavit makes probate smoother and is something we include as a matter of course.

Handwritten (holographic) wills and oral wills are not recognized in Georgia the way they are in some states, so a properly drafted and witnessed document matters. We make sure every requirement is met so your wishes can't be challenged on a technicality years down the road.

When you should update your will

A will isn't a one-and-done document. Life changes, and your will should change with it. We recommend reviewing your will whenever you experience a major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, a move to a new state, a significant change in your assets, or the death of a named beneficiary or executor.

Even without a major event, it's wise to review your will every few years. Laws change, families change, and the people you named years ago may no longer be the right choice. Our plan review service makes this easy, and we can often update a will without starting over from scratch.

A will is just the beginning

A will is the foundation of every estate plan, but it rarely stands alone. Most Georgia families also need powers of attorney and an advance directive to cover incapacity, and many benefit from a revocable living trust to avoid probate. If you have minor children, guardianship planning is essential. And if you want to protect what you leave your children from divorce or creditors, inheritance protection trusts are worth considering.

We help you build a complete plan that fits your family — not a stack of documents you don't understand. The first step is a free consultation, where we'll listen to your goals and explain your options in plain English.

Keep reading

• Revocable Living Trusts
• Guardianship for Minor Children
• Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
• Will or Trust Quiz
• Book a Free Consult