Estate administration and executor guidance

Probate Law / Estate Administration & Executor Guidance

Serving as an executor or administrator is a significant responsibility. Downie Law helps personal representatives understand the court’s requirements and organize the work of administering a Georgia estate.

Know your authority before acting.

A personal representative is the court-authorized person responsible for an estate. An executor generally serves under a will; an administrator may be appointed when there is no valid will or another appointment procedure applies. Letters issued by the probate court document the appointment.

The will, court orders, and applicable law determine what you may do and whether additional approval is needed. Before selling real estate, transferring funds, or making distributions, review that authority. Being a close relative or the person named in a will does not make every transaction permissible.

Turn a complicated process into an organized plan.

Creditor claims, property, and records.

Not every bill should be paid immediately or in the order it arrives. Claims, expenses, available assets, and statutory priorities require review. An estate with insufficient assets needs particular care before money or property is distributed.

Keep bank statements, invoices, receipts, correspondence, and a clear record of every estate transaction. Inventory and reporting obligations depend on the appointment and any valid waiver. Real estate sales, title issues, and property subject to special transfer arrangements may require additional steps. Tax questions may also require coordination with an appropriate tax professional.

Get advice before a concern becomes a dispute.

Missing records, unclear distributions, or unanswered beneficiary questions can lead to conflict. We can help you respond to requests, evaluate proposed actions, and address concerns about your responsibilities. If a dispute already exists, bring the court papers and the relevant correspondence.

For the initial meeting, gather the will, death certificate, letters of appointment, court orders, asset and debt information, and any upcoming deadlines. If you have not been appointed, start with our pages on probating a will or estates without a will.

Helpful resource: Georgia personal representative handbook. Forms and general information do not determine which procedure fits your estate.

General information only, not legal advice or a guarantee of results. An inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship. Only personal-injury consultations are free.