Atlanta Estate Planning Attorney
Last Will and Testament Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
A last will and testament names a guardian for your minor children and directs who receives your property after you die. Without one, Georgia state law makes those decisions for you. A will does not avoid probate — that is what a trust does — but it is a required document in any complete estate plan.
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What a Last Will and Testament Does
A will is a legal document that says who inherits your assets and who raises your children if you die. Georgia law requires witnesses and a notary for a will to be valid. Every estate plan we prepare includes a pour-over will that works alongside your trust.
Will Only
- Your estate goes through probate — public and expensive
- Assets are frozen until a judge approves distribution
- Does not cover incapacity — only takes effect at death
- Bank accounts and real estate are still subject to probate
Will + Trust
- Assets in the trust transfer without probate
- Your family receives funds within days, not months
- POA and healthcare directive cover incapacity
- Real estate and accounts move directly to beneficiaries
How It Works
Schedule Your Free Call
Book your 60-minute free strategy call with Melissa. Credited toward your estate plan.
Meet With Melissa
Melissa reviews your assets, your family situation, and your exposure. Virtual or in-person.
Get Your Plan
Receive a written plan with clear recommendations for protecting your family and your assets.
Move Forward
No pressure, no commitment required. Move forward when you are ready.
Melissa Breyer
Georgia Estate Planning Attorney
Melissa Breyer is a Georgia-licensed estate planning attorney focused exclusively on trust-based planning for individuals and families. She personally meets with every client and designs every plan from scratch. No templates. No associates handling your case. Every plan is built for your specific family, your specific assets, and your specific wishes.
111+ Five-Star Google Reviews
What Our Clients Say
The whole process of creating a family trust felt simple, clear, and stress-free. We really appreciated how patient, helpful, and easy to communicate with the team was throughout everything. Shawn and Melissa gave us great guidance and helped us feel confident every step of the way. We're grateful for their support and would definitely recommend them.
After my father passed away, my mother had to rely on my father's employer to navigate the estate. It was a disaster. After this experience, I knew I needed a plan. I turned to Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys to set up a trust. I no longer have to worry about my wife and children going through a difficult process if something happens to me. I highly recommend Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys!
My biggest fear was that if I died first, my wife would have no idea how to navigate the estate and legal system. I reached out to Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys and they put my mind at ease immediately. Their process is easy to follow and they took care of everything. Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys is the best decision I've made for my family's future.
Working with Melissa Breyer to set up our Living Trust was one of the best decisions Scott and I have made. We did this so our boys are protected from confusion and chaos if something happens to us. Melissa was knowledgeable, patient, and made what felt overwhelming completely manageable. I would absolutely recommend Melissa Breyer.
Working with Shawn and Melissa at Atlanta Estate Planning Attorneys has been an excellent experience. They asked great questions during our initial call and clearly explained what we needed. We feel confident we're in good hands and would highly recommend them.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A will still goes through probate court in Georgia. Probate takes 9 to 18 months and costs an average of $15,000 in attorney and court fees. A will names who gets your assets, but a judge still supervises the transfer. If avoiding probate is the goal, you need a revocable living trust.
Yes. We prepare a pour-over will alongside every trust. A pour-over will ensures that any asset accidentally left out of your trust at death is directed into the trust. It also names a guardian for minor children — a trust cannot do that. The two documents work together.
Under Georgia law, a valid will must be in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two witnesses in your presence. A notary is required for a self-proving will, which means probate court can accept it without tracking down your witnesses. Our firm prepares all wills as self-proving.
Your executor is the person who manages your estate through probate and distributes assets. Choose someone organized, trustworthy, and available to handle paperwork and deadlines. It does not need to be an attorney. Many clients name a spouse, adult child, or sibling. We walk you through this decision at your strategy call.
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A free 15-minute call. You will leave knowing exactly what you have, what you are missing, and what it costs to fix it.
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