This issue comes up more often than people expect. Someone intends to provide for their spouse or long-term partner, but the plan does not reflect that intention. The result is that assets pass elsewhere. In…
Jointly Owned Property in Georgia: What Actually Happens When One Owner Dies
Joint ownership causes a lot of confusion, and most of that confusion comes from assumptions. Many people believe that if two people own property together, it automatically passes to the surviving owner when one of…
Heir vs. Beneficiary: Why the Difference Matters in Georgia
Heir and beneficiary are terms that are often used interchangeably. Legally, they mean very different things. That distinction affects how assets pass and who ultimately receives them. What an heir is An heir is someone…
Trusts vs. LLCs: Which One Actually Protects Your Assets?
When people start thinking about asset protection, two tools come up quickly: trusts and LLCs. They serve different purposes. Choosing between them depends on what you are trying to protect and from what type of…
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: Control, Taxes, and What You’re Really Giving Up
If you’ve looked into estate planning, you’ve likely come across the terms revocable trust and irrevocable trust. They sound similar. The differences between them affect two things most clients care about: control and taxes. Understanding…
Can You Leave Your Home to One Child and Not the Other in Georgia?
A question that comes up often is whether you can leave your home to one child and not another. In Georgia, the answer is yes. You are generally free to leave your property to whomever…
What Happens to Your Business If You Die as a Co-Owner in Georgia?
One estate planning issue that is often overlooked is what happens to a business when one of the owners dies. This is especially important for closely held businesses, including partnerships, LLCs, and small corporations. If…
What Happens If You Become Incapacitated in Georgia Without a Plan
If you become incapacitated in Georgia, someone will need legal authority to handle financial matters and make certain medical decisions on your behalf. That authority does not automatically exist. Many people assume a spouse, parent,…
If You Die Single With No Children in Georgia, Who Inherits?
If you die single with no children in Georgia, there is still a defined legal process that determines who inherits your estate. And in many cases, the result is not what people expect. Many people…
Estate Planning “Hot Takes” Based on What We See Every Day in Georgia
A lot of estate planning advice misses the point. It tends to focus on extreme scenarios, tax strategies that do not apply to most families, or general ideas that sound good but do not hold…