Protect What Matters Most
Clear, personal guidance to put a basic estate plan in place, so your wishes are documented and your family is never left guessing. Serving Dawsonville and all of North Georgia.
- Wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives prepared under Georgia law
- Plain-language advice from a local attorney, not a one-size-fits-all template
- Real estate experience that protects your home, land, and property
A Plan Brings Peace of Mind
Nobody likes to think about it, but every adult benefits from having a basic estate plan in place. A properly prepared will, power of attorney, and advance directive for health care make sure your wishes are known and your loved ones are not left guessing during the hardest week of their lives.
At The Law Office of R.W. Bross, P.C., we walk you through the process in plain language, help you think through the decisions that matter, and prepare documents that reflect your wishes clearly and correctly under Georgia law.
And because our practice is rooted in real estate law, we pay particular attention to how your home, your land, and your other property pass to the people you choose. For most North Georgia families, the house is the single largest asset in the estate. We make sure it is handled right.
The Documents Every Georgia Family Should Have
A basic estate plan is built from a handful of core documents. Together they cover what happens to your property, who speaks for you if you cannot speak for yourself, and who cares for the people who depend on you.
Last Will and Testament
Direct exactly how your assets are distributed, name the executor you trust to carry out your wishes, and keep those decisions out of the hands of the court.
Financial Power of Attorney
Name someone you trust to pay bills, manage accounts, and handle legal and financial matters on your behalf if illness or injury ever leaves you unable to act for yourself.
Advance Directive for Health Care
Georgia's advance directive lets you document your medical treatment preferences and name a health care agent to make decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself.
Guardian Designations
If you have minor children, your will is where you name the person who would raise them. Making that choice yourself means a judge never has to make it for you.
Beneficiary and Asset Review
Life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death accounts pass outside your will. We review those designations so every piece of your plan points in the same direction.
Deeds and Property Transfers
As a real estate law firm, we prepare the deeds that carry out your plan, from titling property between spouses to life estate deeds that let you stay in your home while directing where it goes next.
Without a Will, Georgia Decides for You
If you pass away without a valid will, Georgia's intestacy laws determine who inherits your property, and the outcome often surprises people. A basic estate plan keeps those decisions where they belong: with you.
Your Spouse May Share the Estate
Under Georgia law, a surviving spouse does not automatically inherit everything. If you have children, your spouse divides the estate with them and is guaranteed no less than one third.
The Court Chooses Who Is in Charge
Without a will naming an executor, the probate court appoints an administrator to manage your estate. That person may not be who you would have chosen.
Your Family Waits Longer and Pays More
An unplanned estate typically means more court involvement, more expense, and more delay, all at the moment your family can least afford it.
Estate Planning Is Not Just for the Wealthy
If any of these describe you, a basic estate plan is one of the most valuable things you can put in place this year.
Parents of Minor Children
Naming a guardian in your will is the only way to make sure you decide who would raise your kids, not a courtroom.
Homeowners
Your home is likely your largest asset. A plan controls how it passes, and can spare your family a complicated probate.
Business Owners
Your plan should answer who steps in, who gets paid, and what happens to the business you spent years building.
Anyone Nearing Retirement
Beneficiary designations, health care decisions, and powers of attorney matter most in the years when you are most likely to need them.
A Simple, Straightforward Process
Most basic estate plans are completed in two visits. Here is exactly what to expect.
Initial Consultation
We sit down together and talk through your family, your property, and your goals. No legalese, no pressure, and no homework required before you come in.
Document Preparation
We draft your will, power of attorney, and advance directive based on what we discussed, tailored to your wishes and to Georgia law.
Review and Signing
We walk through every document with you, answer your questions, then execute the plan with the witnesses and formalities Georgia requires.
Keep It Current
Marriage, divorce, a new child, or a new property purchase can all change your plan. We are here when it is time to update.
Estate Planning Questions We Hear Every Week
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
For many North Georgia families, a well-drafted will paired with a power of attorney and advance directive covers everything that matters. Trusts make sense in certain situations, such as blended families, special needs planning, or privacy concerns. In your consultation we will tell you honestly whether a basic plan fits your situation or whether it is worth talking with a trust specialist.
What happens if I die without a will in Georgia?
Georgia's intestacy laws decide who inherits. If you are married with children, your spouse shares the estate with the children rather than inheriting everything. The probate court also appoints someone to administer the estate. A will replaces all of those defaults with your own choices.
I have a will from another state. Is it still valid here?
Generally, a will that was validly executed in another state is recognized in Georgia. That said, moving is one of the best times to review your plan. Georgia's rules on executors, witnesses, and property differ from other states, and if you have purchased property here, your plan should account for it.
How long does it take to put a basic plan in place?
Most clients complete the entire process in two visits over a couple of weeks: one consultation to gather your wishes and one signing meeting to review and execute the documents. If you have a pressing deadline, such as travel or a medical procedure, let us know and we will work with your timeline.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your plan after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a death in the family, or the purchase or sale of real estate. Even without a major event, it is smart to reread your documents every three to five years to confirm they still say what you want.
Does my spouse automatically inherit everything?
Not necessarily. Without a will, Georgia law divides your estate between your spouse and your children, with your spouse guaranteed at least one third. Some assets, like jointly titled property and accounts with named beneficiaries, pass directly to the survivor. A basic plan makes sure the result matches your intentions instead of a statute's defaults.
Ready to Protect Your Family's Future?
Contact The Law Office of R.W. Bross, P.C. today to schedule your estate planning consultation and put a plan in place you can stop worrying about.
706-534-2776 Book an Appointment