Shawn Breyer
Figuring out how to inventory and appraise estate assets in Georgia is daunting.
This guide provides clear instructions to help you complete these tasks accurately and confidently.
(These are the exact steps our probate lawyers use.)
Keep scrolling to learn more.
Probate can be confusing and stressful. Incorrectly filled-out probate petitions can cause delays, rejections, and added stress. We will fill out your petition for you (for FREE).
Fill out the form to have us fill out your petition for you (at no charge). We can only offer 5 free petitions per week, so act fast to secure your spot and avoid the hassle of probate.
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Before diving into the process, it’s helpful to understand why this step is so important.
In Georgia, executors (or administrators) are often required to file an inventory of the estate with the probate court.
Even if not explicitly required, preparing an inventory is a best practice to provide transparency to beneficiaries and avoid disputes.
An accurate valuation is essential for calculating potential estate taxes and dividing assets among heirs.
Failing to account for all assets and liabilities can lead to legal or financial complications.
A detailed inventory ensures assets are distributed fairly based on the terms of the will or Georgia’s intestacy laws if there’s no will.
Here is a 6-step guide on how to inventory probate assets in Georgia:
Start by collecting all documents related to the deceased’s assets and liabilities.
These may include:
Organizing probate assets into categories makes the process more efficient.
The two common categories are assets and liabilities:
Here are the assets that go through probate in Georgia:
Here are the common debts you’ll have to pay to creditors:
Pro Tip: Review recent tax returns to uncover hidden or forgotten assets.
Each asset needs to be appraised to determine its fair market value.
Once all assets and liabilities are categorized and valued, create a comprehensive inventory.
This should include:
Many courts have standardized inventory forms, so check with your local probate court for templates.
Subtract all outstanding debts from the total value of the estate.
This provides the net value of the estate, which is often required for court filings and tax purposes.
In Georgia, executors may need to file the inventory with the probate court.
This is usually due within six months of the appointment unless waived by the will.
Always check with the court for specific deadlines and requirements.
Hire a probate lawyer to help if you’re unsure.
Here are questions people ask us about inventorying probate assets.
Probate assets are items owned solely by a deceased person that require court supervision to be distributed.
These include solely owned property, accounts without beneficiaries, and personal belongings like jewelry or furniture.
Assets with named beneficiaries or held in a trust typically avoid probate.
An estate inventory should be detailed enough to list all assets accurately and provide their fair market value as of the date of death.
Each item should include a description, location (if applicable), and supporting documentation, like appraisals or account statements.
This level of detail ensures:
Accounts with named beneficiaries usually do not go through probate.
These include payable-on-death (POD) accounts and retirement accounts with listed beneficiaries.
The funds transfer directly to the named person after the account holder dies.
If no beneficiary is named or the beneficiary has passed away, the account may go through probate.
Are you overwhelmed by the process?
Our Georgia probate attorneys handle everything for you.
We specialize in taking as much as possible off your plate so that you are not:
Fill out the form to take this off your plate.
Probate can be confusing and stressful. Incorrectly filled-out probate petitions can cause delays, rejections, and added stress. We will fill out your petition for you (for FREE).
Fill out the form to have us fill out your petition for you (at no charge). We can only offer 5 free petitions per week, so act fast to secure your spot and avoid the hassle of probate.
"*" indicates required fields
Our Georgia probate lawyers work remotely, so you don’t have to visit an office. Here are all the counties we serve in Georgia.
