Blog
A Different Kind of Commitment: Using Your Estate Plan to Provide for Your Partner (Even if You’re Not Married!)
In today’s world, there are all kinds of reasons why a committed couple may decide not to get married. Maybe you have been married before, and it’s not a ritual you are eager to repeat. Maybe you and your partner have been together for years, and it’s just something...
Are You Expecting? Get Estate Planning Out of the Way NOW
You’ve read the books. You’ve taken the classes. You have met with the doctor and secured a great spot in childcare. So, are you totally ready for your new baby’s arrival? Of course, it’s impossible to be 100% prepared. Especially with an infant, surprises are sure to...
Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets in Georgia: 4 Things You Need to Know
What’s better, probate or nonprobate assets? In the context of avoiding probate, it would seem non-probate assets would be. You see, with non-probate assets, your heirs don't have to worry about the probate process. These assets will pass directly to them as soon as...
Is it True that “Nothing’s Changed” Since You Last Updated Your Estate Plan?
As a responsible parent, business owner, homeowner, or caregiver, you wrote a will. You have a Power of Attorney. You even have a complete Advance Medical Directive. So, you’re done, right? Sure, those documents were completed fifteen years ago, but nothing’s really...
Probate A-Z: Your Guide to Common Georgia Probate Definitions and Terms
Did you know that only 40% of Americans have a will, and even with a will probate may still be a necessity. Navigating through the probate process can be a challenge, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology. Are you going through probate? We're here to...
A Trust Could Protect and Preserve Your Home
If you own a home in the State of Georgia, you know that homeownership comes with a lot of responsibility. During any given year, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of small and large decisions that you make to protect and preserve your home. From changing air filters...
Do You Need an Estate Plan if You are Single?
There is a common misconception that you don’t actually need an estate plan if you are unmarried or don’t have children. At Brian M. Douglas & Associates, we aren’t too sure where this idea could have come from. Estate planning is important whether or not you have...
What Laws are in Place to Protect Good Samaritans who Help During a Natural Disaster?
In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number and severity of natural disasters hitting the State of Georgia. As storms become more intense, so does the impact on Georgians. In the face of disaster, it is natural that our communities come together and...
How to Be a Good Executor of a Will in Georgia If You’re out of State
As an executor of a will, you have a huge responsibility to the person whose will you are overseeing. It’s your job to make sure their dying wishes are carried out and that their estate is handled properly. With this in mind, it can be even more difficult to do if you...
How Ready Are You For Retirement?
Have you been thinking about retirement? Do you feel ready to take the big leap? If you are like most people, you are excited about the prospect of retirement but not too sure whether it’s possible for you. The decision to retire can be an emotional one, but it’s...
Busting the Myth: Estate Planning Doesn’t Have to Be So Hard
Have you been meaning to get around to estate planning, but you just can’t find the time? One of the reasons we hear most often from people putting off planning is that they don’t have enough time. They aren’t saying they don’t have time for a one hour meeting with an...
How Long Does Probate Take in Georgia?
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed. Before you go through the process of probate for your loved one’s estate in Georgia, it helps to understand what’s involved and the general timeline. How long does probate take?...