The Georgia Council of Probate Court Judges and the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia have put together what I deem to be a useful guide entitled Duties and Responsibilities of Personal Representatives of Decedents’ Estates in Georgia. As it states, it is designed to assist those individuals who are appointed as personal representatives of the estates of decedents in Georgia. One of the sections, “The Road to Success,” outlines eight (8) steps, which are replicated below:
1). Appointment by Probate Court. Letters issued.
2.) Gather and collect ALL estates of the Estate; protect; insure, manage and invest.
3.) Ascertain ALL debts owed; publish notice; pay all debts and expenses of administration in accord with priority.
4.) Sell or liquidate assets IF NECESSARY as required or permitted by law.
5.) If required, file income, estate, and other tax returns.
6.) Distribute remaining Estate property as required in Will or laws of descent and distribution.
7.) If REQUIRED, file inventory, returns and any reports with the court.
8.) Close Estate; file Petition for Discharge.
To download the manual in its entirety, visit the homepage of the Georgia Probate Courts by clicking on the following link. http://www.gaprobate.org/reps_duties.php
Items in this article may be excerpts or summaries of original or secondary source material, and may have been reorganized for clarity and brevity. This article is general in nature and is not intended to provide specific legal or other advice.