GEORGIA PROBATE COURT
STANDARD FORM
Petition to Probate Will in Common Form
INSTRUCTIONS
I. Specific Instructions
1. This form is to be used when filing a petition to probate will in common from
pursuant to O.C.G.A. §53-5-16 et seq.
2. This form should not be used in connection with a petition to probate a copy of a
will in lieu of a lost original without checking with the court in which the petition
will be filed.
3. This form should not be used to file a combination petition to probate will and for
letters of administration with the will annexed (see Petition to Probate Will in
Solemn Form and For Letters of Administration with Will Annexed).
II. General Instructions
General instructions applicable to all Georgia probate court standard forms are available in each
probate court.
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GEORGIA PROBATE COURT
STANDARD FORM
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
IN RE: ESTATE OF ) ESTATE NO. _____________________
)
, ) PETITION TO PROBATE WILL IN
DECEASED ) COMMON FORM
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT:
The petition of whose mailing
address is/are , shows:
1.
On , 20 , _______________________________________________
First Middle Last Name
whose place of domicile was _____________________________________________________________
Street City County State
departed this life owning property in Georgia.
2.
While alive, the decedent duly made and published a Last Will and Testament dated
which is offered for probate in Common Form. Your
petitioner(s) is/are named as the Executor(s).
3.
Listed below are all of decedent’s heirs, with the age or majority status, address, and relationship
to the decedent set opposite the name of each:
Name Age Address Relationship
(Or over 18)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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STANDARD FORM
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4.
(initial if applicable)
At the time of the decedent’s death, and at this time, the decedent left/leaves (a) minor
child(ren), and the Will names a Testamentary Guardian and/or Testamentary Conservator.
a. (initial if applicable). The Will names a Testamentary Guardian of (a) minor
child(ren) of the decedent. At the time of the decedent’ death, he/she had (a) minor
child(ren) and there are no living parents; the following individual(s) is/are named as
Testamentary Guardian in the decedent’s Will:
Name Address
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
b. (initial if applicable). The Will names a Testamentary Conservator of (a) minor
child(ren) of the decedent. At the time of the decedent’s death, he/she had (a) minor
child(ren) and there is/are no court-appointed Conservator(s); the following individual(s)
is/are named as Testamentary Conservator(s) in the decedent’s Will:
Name Address
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
c. (initial as applicable). The Will names a Testamentary Conservator of (a) minor
child(ren) of the decedent. At the time of the decedent’s death, he/she had (a) minor
child(ren) and there is/are a court-appointed Conservator(s), who is/are identified as
follows:
Name Address
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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5.
Additional Data: Where full particulars are lacking, state here the reasons for any such omission.
If any persons listed above as heirs are cousins, grandchildren, nephews or nieces of the decedent, please
list the deceased ancestor through whom they are related to the decedent. If any executor nominated in
the will has a priority equal to or higher than the propounder but will not qualify, indicate the name and
reasons.
6.
To the knowledge of the petitioner(s), no other proceedings with respect to this estate are
pending, or have been completed, in any other probate court in this state.
WHEREFORE, petitioner(s) pray(s)
1. leave to prove said Will in Common Form,
2. that it be admitted to record on proper proof,
3. that Letters of Testamentary Guardianship and/or Letters of Testamentary
Conservatorship issue, if applicable,
4. that Letters Testamentary issue, and
5. that this Court order such other relief as may be proper under the circumstances.
_______________________________________
Signature of first petitioner Signature of second petitioner if any
_______________________________________
Printed Name Printed Name
______________________________________
Address Address
_______________________________________
______________________________________
Phone Number Phone Number
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Signature of Attorney: __________________________________________
Typed/printed name of Attorney: _________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Telephone: State Bar # __________________
VERIFICATION
GEORGIA, COUNTY
Personally appeared before me the undersigned petitioner(s) who on oath state(s) that the facts set
forth in the foregoing petition are true.
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . ______________________________________
First Petitioner
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . _______________________________________
Second Petitioner, if any
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
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TESTAMENTARY GUARDIAN AND/OR TESTAMENTARY CONSERVATOR
CONSENT TO SERVE
GEORGIA, COUNTY
IN RE: PETITION OF TO PROBATE
THE WILL OF _ ,
DECEASED, IN SOLEMN FORM
I/We, the undersigned, being 18 years of age or older, laboring under no legal disability and being
named as Testamentary Guardian(s) and/or Testamentary Conservator(s), hereby consent to serve. I
understand that once appointed, I will have the same rights, powers, and duties as set forth in O.C.G.A.
§29-2-4 and 29-3-5.
SIGNATURE
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . ______________________________________
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . _______________________________________
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . ______________________________________
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . _______________________________________
_______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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PROBATE COURT OF COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
IN RE: ESTATE OF ) ESTATE NO. ____________________
)
, ) PETITION TO PROBATE WILL IN
DECEASED ) COMMON FORM
ORDER
It has been shown to the Court in the matter of the Last Will and Testament of
______ , deceased,
propounded by ,
named as Executor(s), that the said decedent died domiciled in said County; and that the said Will has
been (self-proved) (proved by a witness) to be the Last Will and Testament of said decedent as alleged by
the propounder.
IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED by this Court that said Will be established as the Last Will and
Testament of , that the same be admitted to
record as proved in Common Form, that the Executor(s) has/have leave to qualify as such by taking the
required oath, and upon so doing, that Letters Testamentary be issued.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Executor(s), after payment of all debts, shall disburse
property according to the terms of the Will and shall maintain all records of income and disbursements
until they are discharged.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the deputy clerk/clerk shall serve the Executor(s) with a copy
of this Order by first class mail and shall file a certificate of service showing such service.
(initial if applicable)
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Letters of Testamentary Guardianship and/or
Conservatorship shall issue to the individuals so designated in said Will.
SO ORDERED this day of , 20 .
_____________________________________________
Probate Judge
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PROBATE COURT OF COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
IN RE: ESTATE OF ) ESTATE NO. _____________________
)
, ) PETITION TO PROBATE WILL IN
DECEASED ) COMMON FORM
OATH
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that this writing contains the true Last Will and Testament of
, deceased, so far as I know or believe, and
that I will well and truly execute the same in accordance with the laws of Georgia. So help me God.
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . _______________________________________
Executor
______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before
me this day of , 20 . ______________________________________
Executor
______________________________________
NOTARY/CLERK OF PROBATE COURT Printed Name
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STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF ESTATE NO. ______________
LETTERS TESTAMENTARY
Common Form
(Relieved of Filing Returns)
By , Judge of the Probate Court of said County.
KNOW ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
That on the day of , 20 , at a regular term of the
Probate Court, the Last Will and Testament dated , , of
__ deceased, at the time of
his or her death a resident of said County, was legally proven in common form and was admitted to
record by order, and it was further ordered that
___________________________________________________
________________named as Executor(s) in said Will, be allowed to qualify, and that upon so doing,
Letters Testamentary be issued to such Executor(s).
NOW, THEREFORE, the said ,
having taken the oath of office and complied with all the necessary prerequisites of the law, is/are legally
authorized to discharge all the duties and exercise all the powers of Executor(s) under the Will of said
deceased, according to the Will and the law.
Given under my hand and official seal, the day of , 20 .
______________________________________
Probate Judge
NOTE: The following must be signed if the judge does not
sign the original of this document:
Issued by: (Seal)
______________________________________
PROBATE CLERK/DEPUTY CLERK
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STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF ESTATE NO. ____________________
LETTERS TESTAMENTARY
Common Form
(Not Relieved of Filing Return)
By , Judge of the Probate Court of said County.
KNOW ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
That on the day of , 20 , at a regular term of the
Probate Court, the Last Will and Testament dated , ,
of , deceased, at the
time of his or her death a resident of said County, was legally proven in common form and was admitted
to record by order, and it was further ordered that _____________________________________________
_______________________________ , named as Executor(s) in said Will, be allowed to qualify, and that
upon so doing, Letters Testamentary be issued to such Executor(s).
NOW, THEREFORE, the said _____________________________________________________
having taken the oath of office and complied with all the necessary prerequisites of the law, is/are legally
authorized to discharge all the duties and exercise all the powers of Executor(s) under the Will of said
deceased, according to the Will and the law; and is/are hereby required to render a true and correct
inventory of all the goods, chattels, rights and credits of said deceased, and make a return of them to this
Court; and further, to file a proper annual or final return with this Court each year until the Executorship
is fully discharged.
Given under my hand and official seal, the day of ,20 .
_______________________________________
Probate Judge
NOTE: The following must be signed if the judge does not
sign the original of this document:
Issued by:
(Seal)
PROBATE CLERK/DEPUTY CLERK
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STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF ESTATE NO. ___________________
LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY GUARDIANSHIP OF MINOR
From the Judge of the Probate Court of said County.
TO: , Testamentary Guardian(s)
RE: , Minor
Pursuant to the Last Will and Testament of ,
deceased, you have been appointed Testamentary Guardian of the minor. You have assented to this
appointment by taking your oath. In general, your duties as Testamentary Guardian are to protect and
maintain the person of the minor and your power over the minor shall be the same as that of a parent over
a child, the guardian(s) standing in place of the parent(s). A guardian shall at all times act as a fiduciary
in the minor’s best interest and exercise reasonable care, diligence, and prudence.
Special Instructions:
1. It is your duty to see that the minor is adequately fed, clothed, sheltered, educated, and
cared for, and that the minor receives all necessary medical attention.
2. You must keep the Court informed of any change in your name or address.
3. You should inform the Court of any change of location of your minor.
4. You shall, within 60 days of appointment and within 60 days after each anniversary date
of appointment, file with this Court and provide to the conservator of the minor, if any, a
personal status report concerning the minor.
5. You shall promptly notify the court of any conflict of interest which may arise between
you as guardian and the minor pursuant to O.C.G.A. §29-2-23.
6. The guardianship automatically terminates when the minor dies, reaches age 18, is
adopted, or is emancipated.
7. You shall act in coordination and cooperation with the minor’s conservator, if appointed,
or if not, with others who have custody of the minor’s property.
8. Please consult your attorney if you have any questions. Your authority to act pursuant to
these Letters is subject to applicable statues and to any special orders entered in this case.
Give under my hand and official seal, this day of , 20 .
_____________________________________________
Probate Judge
NOTE: The following must be signed if the judge does not
sign the original of this document:
Issued by:
PROBATE CLERK/DEPUTY CLERK (Seal)
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STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF ESTATE NO. ____________________
LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY CONSERVATORSHIP OF MINOR
From the Judge of the Probate Court of said County.
TO: , Testamentary Conservator(s)
RE: , Minor
Pursuant to the Last Will and Testament of the below-named decedent, you have been appointed
Testamentary Conservator of the minor’s property. You have assented to this appointment by taking your
oath. In general, your duties as Testamentary Conservator are to protect and maintain the property of the
minor and utilize the minor’s property solely for the benefit of the minor. Please consult your attorney if
you have any questions.
These Letters of Testamentary Conservatorship empower the above testamentary conservator to
hold, for the minor, only property which passed through the estate of
, Deceased.
Given under my hand and official seal, this day of , 20 .
________________________________
Probate Judge
Note: The following must be signed if the judge
does not sign the original of this document:
Issued by:
(Seal)
PROBATE CLERK/DEPUTY CLERK
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