How Long Does Probate Take in Georgia? (6 Easy Tips To Be Faster)

Shawn Breyer
July 17, 2025

How long does probate take in Georgia?

When someone passes away, the probate process can feel overwhelming.

You’re already grieving—and now you’re stuck figuring out court paperwork, debts, and how to handle property.

In Georgia, probate usually takes six months to a year for simple cases—but it can drag out much longer if there are problems.

Let’s break it down so you know what to expect, what can speed it up, and what could slow it down.

Ready to Secure Your Family’s Future?

Avoid the delays, expenses, and public exposure of probate.

Schedule your free, no-pressure Estate Planning Roadmap Call today.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Call

"*" indicates required fields

Watch this video that breaks down the probate timeline in Georgia.

How Long Does Probate Usually Take in Georgia?

This section explains the typical probate timeline and why it matters for planning.

In Georgia, most probate cases take six months to a year.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

Simple Estates (no disputes, few assets): 6–12 months
Complex Estates (many assets, minor heirs, disputes): 1–2+ years

If everyone cooperates and the paperwork is handled correctly, probate moves faster.

If there are mistakes, missing heirs, or family fights, it can slow things down a lot.

Example:

If your loved one owned only a house and a bank account, and the heirs agree on everything, probate could finish in about 8 months.

But if there’s a missing heir or a lawsuit over the will, it could stretch over several years.

What Steps Happen During Probate in Georgia?

This section shows the step-by-step process so you can see where delays might happen.

Filing the Petition: You file a petition with the probate court to open the estate. (Tip: Make sure you have the original will if there is one.)
Getting Appointed as Executor or Administrator: The court issues “Letters Testamentary” (with a will) or “Letters of Administration” (without a will). These letters give you the legal power to manage the estate.
Notifying Heirs and Creditors: You must legally notify all heirs and any known creditors. Creditors usually have at least 3 months to make a claim.
Inventorying Assets: You list out everything the person owned—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, personal belongings.
Paying Debts and Taxes: You use estate funds to pay valid debts and any taxes owed.
Distributing What’s Left: Once debts and taxes are paid, the remaining assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries.

Important:

You must file reports with the court showing what you’ve done.

If reports are late or incomplete, the court can delay probate.

What Can Make Probate Take Longer?

This section warns about common slowdowns you can avoid.

Missing or Invalid Will: If the original will can’t be found or is challenged, probate takes much longer.
Family Disputes: If heirs argue over property or accuse the executor of wrongdoing, court battles can drag on for years.
Complicated Assets: Multiple properties, businesses, or hard-to-value assets like art or collectibles slow things down.
Debts and Creditor Claims: If there are many debts—or disputes about which debts are valid—the estate can stay open longer.
Executor Mistakes: Missing deadlines, filing wrong forms, or mishandling assets can cause major delays.

How to Speed Up Probate in Georgia

This section gives practical tips to make probate faster and less stressful.

Get Organized Early: Gather all important documents right away—will, death certificate, account statements, property deeds.
Hire Professionals If Needed: An experienced probate attorney can help avoid costly mistakes, even if you want to handle most things yourself.
Communicate with Heirs: Keeping everyone in the loop can prevent arguments and surprises later.
Respond Quickly to Court Requests: If the court asks for more paperwork, respond immediately to keep things moving.
Open a Separate Estate Account: Put all estate funds into a separate bank account. This keeps records clean and makes the court process smoother.
Use Georgia’s Simplified Probate Options: If the estate is small or all heirs agree, you may qualify for faster options like “No Administration Necessary.”

FAQs About How Long Probate Takes in Georgia

This section answers common quick questions for extra clarity.

Does probate always take a year in Georgia?

No. Some simple cases finish in 6–8 months, especially if there’s a clear will and no debts.

Can you avoid probate altogether?

Not usually in Georgia unless assets were already set up to transfer outside of probate (like with a trust, joint ownership, or beneficiary designations).

What if there’s no will?

If there’s no will (called dying “intestate”), probate still happens, but Georgia’s laws decide who inherits.

Can real estate be sold before probate is finished?

Sometimes. If the court approves it or if the executor has the right authority, real estate can be sold during probate.

Need Help Figuring This Out?

Whether you’re trying to protect your LLC now or dealing with a loved one’s business after they’ve passed, we can help.

Book a free strategy call with our team.

We’ll help you:

Understand what happens next.
Avoid common mistakes.
Create a plan that keeps your family out of court and in control.

👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session

Let’s take this off your shoulders. You don’t have to do it alone.

Ready to Secure Your Family’s Future?

Avoid the delays, expenses, and public exposure of probate.

Schedule your free, no-pressure Estate Planning Roadmap Call today.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Call

"*" indicates required fields

What Areas We Serve For Probate

Our Georgia probate lawyers work remotely, so you don’t have to visit an office. Here are all the counties we serve in Georgia.