Wills, Estate Planning, Probate Administration and Probate Litigation

Death is something no one likes to talk about, but it visits all of us eventually. The Law Firm of Webb, Tanner, Powell, Mertz, & Wilson, LLP delivers sound legal counsel to clients in planning and administering estates. Like our real estate practice, our practice in this area began more than 70 years ago. We have probated estates in Gwinnett County, as well as all of the metropolitan Atlanta jurisdictions including Hall, Jackson, Dekalb and Fulton Counties. Our attorneys are skilled to handle any matter involving estate planning and probate administration, including the following:

Living Wills
Wills
Trusts
Powers of Attorney
Guardianship
Administration of an estate to assist in an orderly distribution
Probate Litigation
Estate Tax Advice and Returns

Estate planning is the critical process where, under the guidance of an experienced legal counselor, individuals and/or businesses map out when and what they want to happen to their property and assets in the future.

Probate administration and litigation occurs after death. An individual’s will is put into effect by proving that it is in fact the last will and testament. After proof or probate, an orderly distribution of assets occurs pursuant to the approved will which is called the administration of the estate. In the administration phase, estate taxes are paid and the assets are distributed.

Probate litigation may be necessary to challenge the probate of will or to challenge the actions taken by the responsible party during the administration of an estate. The following is a representative sample of the cases reported on our firm in the appellate courts:

Garner v. Harrison,Nos. S90A1226, S91A0171,Supreme Court of Georgia,260 Ga. 866; 400 S.E.2d 925; 1991 Ga. LEXIS 100; 102-56 Fulton County D. Rep. 9B,February 28, 1991
Benefield v. Martin,A05A1719. ,COURT OF APPEALS OF GEORGIA ,276 Ga. App. 130; 622 S.E.2d 469; 2005 Ga. App. LEXIS 1185; 2005 Fulton County D. Rep. 3289,October 27, 2005

For assistance in this practice area contact Louise Gracey, Jones Webb, Bill Tanner or Tony Powell.