PRobate & Trust Adminstration

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Managing a loved one's estate after a death is one of the most administratively demanding things a person can be asked to do — often while grieving, often on a timeline, and almost always without prior experience.


We guide executors, personal representatives, and trustees through this process from beginning to end. You don't need to know the steps before you call. Knowing the steps is our job.

What Triggers Probate in Georgia — and What Doesn't

Not every asset goes through probate. Understanding the difference helps executors know what they're actually managing.


Assets that typically require probate are those held in the deceased's name alone, without a beneficiary designation or joint owner — a solely owned bank account, real estate titled only in the deceased's name, or personal property without a designated recipient.


Assets that typically pass outside probate include jointly held property with right of survivorship, accounts with transfer-on-death or payable-on-death designations, life insurance with a named beneficiary, and assets held in a properly funded trust.



The first conversation with our office helps you identify which assets require court involvement and which do not — so you're not navigating the process with more complexity than necessary.

Two Paths Forward — Depending on What Was Left in Place

  • Probate

    If your loved one did not have a trust, their estate will likely go through Georgia's probate process. We handle uncontested probate — guiding you through the petition, inventory, creditor notification, and final distribution — step by step, without the confusion.


    A simple, uncontested Georgia estate typically moves through probate in six to twelve months. Flat fees mean you'll know the cost before we begin.

    Learn About Probate in Georgia

  • Trust Administration

    If your loved one had a revocable living trust, their assets may pass outside of probate entirely — but trust administration still requires careful legal and fiduciary work. We guide successor trustees through their obligations, from notifying beneficiaries to distributing assets, without court involvement where possible.


    Trust administration is typically faster and more private than probate. It is not, however, without its own requirements and deadlines.

    Learn About Trust Administration
Hands clasped beside a person signing paperwork at a table.

What We Handle — and What We Don't

Campen Estate Planning handles uncontested probate and trust administration. We do not handle contested estate litigation, will challenges, or disputed beneficiary claims.


That focus is intentional. Efficient, straightforward estate administration is what we do well, and limiting our practice to uncontested matters means every client gets an attorney who knows this process thoroughly and approaches it without the delays and costs that contested proceedings introduce.


If your situation involves a dispute, we will tell you that clearly in the first conversation and point you toward the right kind of help.

Questions Executors and Families Ask Before They Call

  • Do I need an attorney to probate an estate in Georgia?

    Georgia law does not always require an attorney for probate, but the process involves court filings, creditor notification requirements, inventory preparation, and a final accounting — all on a timeline set by the probate court. Most executors find that having an attorney prevents costly mistakes and moves the process forward more efficiently than navigating it alone.

  • How long does probate take in Georgia?

    A simple, uncontested estate in Georgia typically takes six to twelve months from the initial filing to final distribution. Estates with real property, multiple beneficiaries, or creditor claims may take longer. Trust administration, where a trust was already in place, is often faster because it occurs outside of court.

  • How much does probate cost in Georgia?

    Probate costs include court filing fees, publication fees, and attorney fees. At Campen Estate Planning, attorney fees are charged on a flat fee basis — you'll know the cost before we begin. The free 15-minute consultation is the fastest way to get a specific figure for your situation.

    Let's Start a Conversation

  • What is the difference between probate and trust administration in Georgia?

    Probate is the court-supervised process for distributing a deceased person's estate when assets were held in their name alone. Trust administration is the process of distributing assets held in a trust — it typically occurs outside of court and is governed by the terms of the trust document rather than Georgia's probate statutes. Both require careful legal and fiduciary attention, but they follow different procedures and timelines.

  • What does an executor do in Georgia?

    An executor — called a personal representative in Georgia — is responsible for filing the probate petition, inventorying estate assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts, filing any required tax returns, and ultimately distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will. We guide personal representatives through each of these steps so nothing is missed.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

You don't need to have the process figured out before you call. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and let's talk through where things stand and what needs to happen next.