In Monroe, Georgia, probate is the process through which a Court determines if a will is valid or not.

As part of the probate procedure, the court in Monroe, Georgia will determine the validity of the will, inventory the decedent's assets and debts, then, assuming everything is found to be in order, distribute the estate according to the will.

Wills often name a person as the executor of the estate. If not, the court in Monroe, Georgia will name one. This is most often the adult individual who stands to inherit the most money or property from the will.

The basic duty of the executor is to serve as the living incarnation of the estate. Their job is to begin probate proceedings, and see them to completion. If an executor has to be appointed by the court, it will usually be the person who stands to inherit the most from the will, as he or she has an incentive to make every effort to avoid delay.

Duties of the Executor in Monroe, Georgia

The executor has several duties with respect to the will. First, it is his or her job to actually initiate probate proceedings, which often must be finished before the will is given effect.

Also, it's the executor's job to notify all involved parties that the person who made the will has died. "Interested parties" are generally people who are named in the will, or who would inherit the estate if the decedent had died without a will.

If the decedent was even somewhat well-off financially, it's likely that they'll have significant amounts of both debts and assets. The executor is tasked with creating an accurate accounting of the debts and assets of the estate, so as much of the decedent's debts can be paid off as possible.

Furthermore, the executor is required to take a leading role in proving the validity of the will. The executor obviously has an incentive to see the process through, since they cannot inherit until probate is complete.

How Can A Monroe, Georgia Lawyer Help?

Because this process can be fairly complicated, it is not a bad idea to consult with a good probate lawyer in Monroe, Georgia, especially if you find yourself as the executor of an estate and don't know how to proceed.