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Georgia Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form

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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 form 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.

II. General Instructions

General instructions applicable to all Georgia probate court standard forms are available in each probate court.


PETITION TO PROBATE WILL IN COMMON FORM

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF COUNTY

STATE OF GEORGIA

IN RE: ESTATE OF , DECEASED

ESTATE NO.

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT:

The petition of whose mailing address is/are , shows:

1. On , 20, whose place of domicile was 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 (Or over 18) / Address / Relationship

4. 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. The Will names a Testamentary Guardian 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 are no living parents; the following individual(s) is/are named as Testamentary Guardian in the decedent’s Will:

Name Address

Name Address

b. 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

Name Address

c. 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

Name Address

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.

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.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of , 20.


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

.


ORDER

PROBATE COURT OF COUNTY

STATE OF GEORGIA

IN RE: ESTATE OF , DECEASED

ESTATE NO.

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 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.

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.


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.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of , 20.


LETTERS TESTAMENTARY - Common Form (Relieved of Filing Returns)

STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF ESTATE NO.

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.

Issued by: (Seal)


LETTERS TESTAMENTARY - Common Form (Not Relieved of Filing Return)

STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF ESTATE NO.

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.

Issued by: (Seal)


LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY GUARDIANSHIP OF MINOR

STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF ESTATE NO.

From the Judge of the Probate Court of said County.

TO:

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.

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 statutes and to any special orders entered in this case.

Give under my hand and official seal, this day of , 20.

Issued by: (Seal)


LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY CONSERVATORSHIP OF MINOR

STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF ESTATE NO.

From the Judge of the Probate Court of said County.

TO:

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.

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.

Issued by: (Seal)

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What the Georgia Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form Is

The Georgia Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form is a court filing used to formally present and prove a decedent's attested will in superior court so that the will can be admitted to probate and an executor or administrator appointed. Solemn form probate typically requires testimony or sworn affidavits from attesting witnesses or a self-proving affidavit to establish the will's validity for probate purposes. The petition initiates the probate case, identifies the decedent and the nominated executor, lists heirs, and requests the court enter letters testamentary or letters of administration as appropriate.

Why This Petition Matters for Estate Administration

Probating a will in solemn form establishes the will's legal effect, enables appointment of the personal representative, and provides court authority to carry out estate administration. Using the correct petition reduces procedural delay and preserves claimant rights under Georgia probate law.

Why This Petition Matters for Estate Administration

Who Typically Prepares or Files This Petition

Parties filing should confirm local superior court rules and calendar procedures before submission; courts may require specific cover sheets or forms in addition to the petition.

  • Executor or personal representative — files to start probate and obtain letters testamentary.
  • Probate attorney — drafts petition, gathers exhibits, and presents witness testimony at hearing.
  • Next-of-kin or interested party — may file if no executor appears or to contest appointment.

Roles Involved in Solemn Form Probate

Executor

An individual named in the will who seeks appointment by the court. The executor files the petition, presents the original will, arranges for attestant testimony or a self-proving affidavit, and requests issuance of letters testamentary to administer the estate.

Probate Attorney

A lawyer who prepares the petition, advises on Georgia probate procedure, handles service and notice requirements, represents the petitioner at the solemn probate hearing, and helps the personal representative fulfill fiduciary duties under state law.

Key Legal and Security Considerations to Note

ESIGN / UETA: Recognizes electronic records and signatures
Record Retention: Maintain reproducible copies of filings
HIPAA Considerations: Redact protected health information
Audit Trail: Track signature attribution and timestamps
Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit, AES-256 at rest
Regulatory Certs: SOC 2, ISO 27001 available

Consequences of Errors or Omitted Steps

Rejected Petition: Court may return or dismiss
Probate Delays: Administration timetable extended
Will Contests: Increased litigation risk
Perjury Exposure: False affidavits carry penalties
Tax Issues: Delay in filing estate returns
Bond Requirement: Court may require fidelity bond

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to locate and produce the original will or its self-proving affidavit, which can require additional witness testimony and complicate court proof.
  • Omitting required parties or insufficiently describing heirs and beneficiaries, leading to defective service or incomplete notice to interested parties.
  • Using inconsistent dates or names across documents, risking identity disputes or challenges to testamentary capacity and intent.
  • Neglecting local superior court filing rules such as required cover sheets, case numbers, or filing fees, which can cause clerical rejection.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Georgia Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form

Follow these sequential steps to assemble the petition package correctly before filing with the superior court in the decedent's county of domicile.

  • 01
    Locate original will: Confirm you have the original signed will document
  • 02
    Identify witnesses: List attesting witnesses and their contact details
  • 03
    Draft petition: Include decedent data, executor request, and asset summary
  • 04
    File and serve: Submit to superior court and serve statutory notice

How the Filing and Court Process Typically Works

A clear filing sequence helps avoid delays and ensures necessary evidence is available at the solemn form hearing.

  • File Petition: Clerk accepts petition and files case number
  • Schedule Hearing: Court sets date for solemn probate hearing
  • Present Witnesses: Attesting witnesses testify or affidavit used
  • Court Order: Judge admits will and issues letters

Primary Components of a Complete Petition Package

Include these elements with your petition to satisfy Georgia probate requirements and streamline court review.

Caption and Parties

Case caption listing the superior court, county, decedent name, petitioner identification, and contact information for counsel or pro se filer.

Original Will

Attach the decedent's original attested will; if available, include the self-proving affidavit to reduce witness testimony.

Petition Body

Clear factual statements: decedent domicile, date of death, will execution facts, nominee for executor, and asset summary to justify probate.

Witness Statements

Sworn affidavits or witness lists indicating attestation at signing and contact details for in-person testimony when required by the court.

Notice and Service

Prepare statutory notice to heirs and creditors and proof of service documents required by Georgia probate rules prior to hearing.

Proposed Orders

Draft an order admitting the will to probate and a form for letters testamentary to streamline the judge's review and entry.

Configuring an Online Workflow for the Petition

Set up an electronic workflow that captures signatures, evidence, and required attachments before submission to the court.

Field Configuration
Document Upload Require PDF original will and any codicils
Signer Authentication Use email + SMS code or stronger KBA for attesting witness verification
Attachment Checklist Enforce mandatory attachments: death certificate, will, notice proofs
Signature Order Set petitioner then witness then attorney signer sequence

Technical and Format Requirements for e-Completion and Filing

Preserve a certified copy of the executed petition and attachments; courts typically accept electronic submissions where the clerk's office permits, but verify local electronic filing rules before relying on e-submission.

  • File Formats: PDF or Word DOCX required
  • Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps and IP logs
  • Integrations: Works with cloud storage

Timelines, Deadlines, and Typical Processing Expectations

There is no single statewide filing deadline for probate; timely filing preserves rights and enables administration to begin without unnecessary delay.

File Promptly:

File as soon as the original will is located to start administration

Hearing Schedule:

Court may schedule initial hearing within weeks; local queues vary

Notice to Heirs:

Statutory notice periods must be observed before certain orders

Creditor Claims:

Claims deadlines vary; publish notice if required by county

Record Keeping:

Keep originals and proof of service indefinitely

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Probate Workflows

Comparison of starting prices and key capabilities for common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per platform comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Trial available Trial available Trial available Trial available
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Probate in Solemn Form

Answers to common procedural and evidentiary questions when preparing a Georgia petition to probate a will in solemn form.


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