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Estate Litigation

Atlanta Estate Litigation Lawyer 

Helping Clients Navigate Estate Contests

If you must challenge any aspect of the administration of an estate, it is essential to obtain the legal representation of a knowledgeable estate litigation attorney in Atlanta. At Meyring Law Firm, we are dedicated to protecting our clients through each step of their cases. Estate litigation includes a wide range of legal issues relating to trust and estate administration, including challenges to the validity of a will, fraud in the execution of a will, and the legitimacy of will beneficiaries and claimants to the estate.

When litigation is necessary to resolve any type of estate contest, our firm represents:

  • Beneficiaries
  • Heirs
  • Executors
  • Administrators
  • Claimants 

Litigation that involves estates and trusts often starts when a beneficiary, heir, or an estate creditor believes that assets within an estate are mishandled by a personal representative. If the personal representative has managed the estate in a faulty manner, the heirs or beneficiaries can petition to have them removed as the trustee.

What Is Estate Litigation?

Estate litigation is a particular area of law that deals primarily with resolving trust and estate proceedings. This form of litigation can pertain to a multitude of issues that include:

Typically, in an estate litigation scenario, an attorney will also provide clients with information regarding consultation on policies and practices related to estate law, notifying clients about acceptable fiduciary conduct and other standards at a state and federal level that could apply to their estate. This form of litigation typically takes place within the realm of state probate codes, and the procedures fall under the management of probate and surrogate courts, the arena in which the majority of trust and probate matters are determined. 

Robert Meyring aims to combine decades of experience working with clients and beneficiaries in a collaborative, thoughtful environment with a deep knowledge of Georgia estate laws that govern how estates and wills are administered. Estate contests can be highly emotional and legally complex. These matters can veer into personal relationships and familial dynamics, but our team is well-versed in the nuances necessary to navigate these waters with the utmost care and scrutiny.    

Executors, Administrators & Claimants

As you start to investigate estate litigation, you’re probably spotting a ton of terminology that seems unclear. Below, we explain some of the terms you might hear the most often:

  • The executor of a will is someone who is named in a will and takes up the legal responsibility to carry out the deceased’s remaining financial matters. They will distribute the assets of the will, pay off remaining debts and taxes, and make court appearances for the estate. The executor can decline their role, but these roles are often carried out by close family members and discussed in advance of a death.
  • An administrator of an estate is named when a will is not present, and a court appoints an administrator to preside over the estate administration. This individual is sometimes referred to as a personal representative. The powers and duties remain similar to those of an executor. The administrator must provide notice of their appointment to interested parties of the estate.
  • Claimants are those, such as credit card companies or banks, which must make a claim on an estate when outstanding debt exists and needs to be paid. In most areas, the executor is required to post a notice in newspapers or elsewhere to creditors after probate opens up. Some states go further and require written notice by the executor to all known creditors. For creditors to become claimants, they must operate quickly to file a written claim with the executor to avoid an expiration of the statute of limitations.
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Why Choose Meyring Law Firm?

  • Lifetime Support
    Our legal help is not a 'one and done' deal. Your future legalities are encompassed in these documents that need to be constantly updated. We are here to provide you with lifetime support.
  • Affordable Fees
    We have an initial document prep fee that will give you access to our attorneys through phone, email or any other medium without being charged extra.
  • Straightforward Guidance
    Our goal is to provide you with guidance you can understand and trust. We want you to feel secure and supported every step of the way.
  • Phone Evaluations

    We offer phone evaluations to help clients find the right path forward. We treat no two cases the same, setting our customer service apart from the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here to Help Every Step of the Way
  • What does “heir” mean?
    An heir is one or more of the nearest living relatives of the deceased person at the time of death. Sometimes the heir is only the surviving spouse or child. Other times the heirs are any number of siblings, nephews and nieces, or cousins.
  • What happens if a will is not probated?
    In Georgia, there is a legal mandate for the holder of a will to submit it to the court for probate per O.C.G.A. § 53-5-5. If a will is not filed with the court, any heir or beneficiary can petition the court to direct the will holder to file the will with the proper court. Wills are meant to be public documents once the grantor has passed away. Sometimes if a will is not filed with the court, beneficiaries and heirs cannot take legal possession of assets specified in the Last Will and Testament.
  • How long does it take to receive an inheritance? When can I get what was willed to me?
    The probate attorney can accurately answer how long it would take to receive an inheritance from an estate that has no will. The experienced attorney can estimate the time it would take to receive a gift from the decedent's will or trust.
  • What does “executor” mean?
    Executor is the person named in the last will and testament that's appointed by the probate court to administer the estate of the decedent according to the will.

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