Georgia Wills and Trusts

There is no reason to go without an Estate Plan in Georgia.

Civil Servants (military, teachers, police, fire, EMS, etc.) receive a 75% discount on all documents.

Terms

PageTerminologyLayman's Definition
1real propertyland and anything built on it, like a house
1propertyanything you own, like land, money, or peronal items.
1per stirpesa way to pass down property so the inheritance follows the family tree. Like a waterfall. Ex) if a child dies before the parent, that child’s share goes to their children.
1inheritto receive money, land, or things from someone who has died.
1executorthe person you name in your will to carry out your wishes and handle your affairs after you die.
1guardian of childan adult chosen to take care of a child's wellbeing if the parents die or cannot care for them.
1conservator of childan adult chosen to manage a child’s money or property until the child becomes an adult.
2advanced healthcare directivea set of instructions for your doctors and loved ones about what treatments you want or don't want if you can't speak for yourself.
2healthcare agentthe person you choose to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to.
3financial power of attorneya paper that lets someone else handle your money or property if you can't. You say when it starts, including when you're incapacitated
3incapacitatednot able to make decisions for yourself or your affairs because of illness or injury.
3Tangible personal propertyphysical things you can touch and own, like clothes, jewelry, or a car.
3Stocks and bondsinvestments you can buy to earn money over time. Stocks give you a small portion of a company, while bonds let you loan a company or government money
3Commodities and optionstypes of investments, like oil or farm products, and contracts to buy or sell them later.
3Banks and other financial institutionsplaces like banks or credit unions where you keep or borrow money.
3Operation of entity or businessrunning or making decisions for a company or business.
3Insurance and annuitiesplans that give money for things like accidents, health care, or retirement.
3Estates, trusts, and other beneficial interestsmoney or property you get from someone’s will, trust, or other legal setup.
3Claims and litigationlegal cases or requests for help from an entity/organization where you may benefit (ex- personal injury).
3Personal and family maintenancepaying for living needs like food, clothes, housing, and care for family.
3Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military servicemoney or help you get from programs like Social Security, veterans’ benefits, or disability.
3Retirement plansaccounts like 401(k)s or IRAs
3Taxesmoney paid to the government from income, property, or purchases.
3decision making authoritythe power to make choices for someone else.
3Create, fund, amend, revoke, or terminate an inter vivos trust. _____start, add to, change, cancel, or end a trust that is made while someone is alive.
3Make a gift, subject to the limitations of O.C.G.A. §10-6B-56 and any Special Instructions in this power of attorney. _____give someone a gift of money or property, if the law and this document allow it.
3Create or change rights of survivorship. _____set up or change who gets property when one of the owners dies.
3Create or change a beneficiary designation. _____choose or change who gets money or property from things like life insurance, retirement accounts, or bank accounts when you die.
3Authorize another person to exercise the authority granted under this power of attorney. _____Let someone else use the powers given by this legal document. Lets your Agent give control of your money to someone else (*careful*)
3Waive the principal's right to be a beneficiary of a joint and survivor annuity, including a survivor benefit under a retirement plan. _____give up the right to receive money after a spouse dies from a shared retirement plan.
3Exercise authority over the content of electronic communications sent or received by the principal. _____manage or see someone’s emails, texts, or other digital messages. can limit access to others.
3Exercise fiduciary powers that the principal has authority to delegate and that are expressly and clearly identified (including the persons for which the principal acts as a fiduciary) in the Special Instructions. _____use powers to handle money or property for others, if allowed and clearly written in the document.
3Renounce an interest in property, including a power of appointment. _____say no to money, land, or rights that you were given in a will or legal paper.
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