Last Wills and Testaments

Atlanta’s Wills Attorneys

Our Atlanta Wills Lawyers Offer:

• Respected Representation
• Clear Communication – Calls Returned within 24 Hours
• Experienced and Compassionate Legal Team

If you need to plan for the financial future of your children and grandchildren, Gentry Law Firm provides the knowledge and guidance to assist you with your will. 

There are various types of wills. The primary difference between a simple will and a regular will is the level of complexity of the contents of the will. In Georgia, a simple will does the following:

• Names an executor.
• List assets and beneficiaries.
• Describes how to distribute the assets.

With an office conveniently located near the historic square in Marietta, GA – our will attorneys help people throughout the Metro Atlanta area in Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Bartow, Paulding, Cherokee, Douglas, and Clayton counties. We handle all aspects of drafting and executing wills.

Who Can Create a Will? 

There are five requirements for a will, often called a “last will and testament,” to be valid in Georgia. If anything is missing, the will may not be honored by a court and may be legally challenged. 

For a will to be legally valid in Georgia:

• The creator must be at least 14 years old. (Georgia Code 53-4-10(a))
• The creator must be competent to “freely and voluntarily” execute a will. (Georgia Code 53-4-12)
• The will must be written – either by hand or typed. (Georgia Code 53-4-20)
• The creator must sign the will (called a “testator”). (Georgia Code 53-4-20)
• Two witnesses must sign the will. (Georgia Code 53-4-20(b))

Types of Wills in Georgia

There are multiple types of wills that you might opt to create, depending on the complexity of your estate. In a will, an estate describes all that you own at the time of your death. This includes land, homes, investments, collectibles, furnishings, bank accounts, vehicles, and artwork.

With simple wills, it determines who receives your assets and names guardians for your children. Whether you are recently divorced or single, a simple will is often what is chosen. 

There’s also a living will which determines the medical treatment you want if you become incapacitated. It also names someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them for yourself. If you are recently divorced, you likely do not want your ex-spouse being the person who makes these decisions for you. 

Gentry Law Firm can help simplify your journey. While you don’t have to file your estate planning documents with any legal authority, you must follow a general process and adhere to Georgia law when drafting and properly executing your will and thus wishes. 

It’s best to work with an attorney for wills, who can guide you through this process and make sure you do not leave anything out. If you fail to name any assets or property in your will, it may be distributed to heirs in a way that you would not want.

Gentry Law Firm is here to serve you with your estate planning needs. Call today to learn more.