Category: Will Contest

Will Contests and How to Avoid Them: An In-Depth Guide for Georgia Residents
The specter of will contests can cast a long, dark shadow over families. Beyond the immediate financial and legal implications, will contests can inflict deep

VIDEO: How Can DIY Estate Planning Harm Your Family? | Siedentopf Law
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT How can do-it-yourself estate planning harm your family? There are quite a few ways and I will discuss a few of them now.

VIDEO: Why You Shouldn’t Write Your Own Will | Georgia Estate Planning and Probate | Siedentopf Law
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Can I draft my own will? Sure. But I’m gonna give you some reasons that you should not. I’m Sarah Siedentopf, I’m an

Video: What is a Probate Bond
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Should you waive the bond for the executor you name in your will? What does that even mean? And does it even matter?

Video: What is the difference between an executor and an administrator?
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT Probate is full of confusing terms and I’d be happy to answer this one for you. I’m Sarah Siedentopf. I’m an estate planning

Will Contests: Who Can Challenge A Will?
Who can challenge the validity of a will? Under Georgia law, this includes any interested parties who can show the probate court that they might

DNA Testing for Estate Inheritance
As DNA testing kits become more popular and affordable, there is an increased interest in learning about ancestry and familial relationships. DNA testing kits can

How To Avoid Family Fights Over Your Estate Plan
Summary: In Siedentopf Law’s latest blog, we look at five ways to avoid family fights over your estate plan: selecting the right executor explaining unequal

Video: What is a will caveat?
What is a will caveat? Atlanta, Georgia estate planning and probate attorney Sarah Siedentopf shares the answer, in Siedentopf Law’s latest video. Hi, I’m Atlanta

Duncan vs. Rawls: No Contest Clauses
[Update, May 2023: As a result of the June 30, 2022 decision by the The Supreme Court of Georgia, Fourth Division, in the case of

No Contest Clauses: Understanding the Pros and Cons
For the purposes of estate planning, a No Contest Clause is included in a will or a trust to discourage heirs and beneficiaries from potentially challenging the documents after a person’s death. Typically, the clause contains language that the whoever challenges or attempts to invalidate the will or trust will be completely disinherited. In some situations, a No Contest Clause can be a powerful deterrent. But the application of this provision can be somewhat limited.If a person cont […]

Contesting a Will: Forged Signature
Summary: In Georgia, anyone with an interest in someone’s estate can legally challenge a will that has been filed for probate. One of these categories