Estate planning & probate
Protect your family, your assets, and your legacy
We offer a dedicated planning meeting to help you customize an estate plan that provides long-term support for your family, protects your assets, and structures your wealth to benefit you in life and in death.
A plan built around you
No one-size-fits-all estate planning
What's right for one family may be wrong for the next. A family with minor children needs a will that names a guardian and a trustee to manage what's left behind. A business owner may need succession planning to protect what continues after they're gone. We start with a conversation, then build the plan around your life.
What we offer
Estate planning services
Custom estate plans for young families
Families with minor children should prepare a will not only to leave assets to their children, but especially to appoint a trusted guardian and a trustee to manage those assets for the child's benefit.
"Testators should employ competent individuals to draft wills rather than succumb to the temptation to save money by drafting their own. Any money saved at the start is likely minimal compared to the expense of later litigation that is often spawned by self-drafted wills."
— Mary Radford, Professor of Law
Trusts
Living Trusts
A living trust lets you place assets inside the trust during your lifetime. You retain ownership through the trust, and the assets can be used for your benefit while you're alive. You can structure it so your heirs access the assets at your death without waiting on probate. This tool includes an extended consultation and a detailed estate package.
Irrevocable Trusts
Created by you, but with another person as the beneficiary. Because you no longer own the assets, aren't the beneficiary, and have no direct power to change the trust, it can shield those assets from litigation and creditors that might otherwise come after them.
Business Trusts
Grants your business-related authority to a trust managed by a trustee. Depending on your ownership stake, the trust can essentially run the business.
Testamentary Trusts
Allows for the creation of a trust for another person or entity, with a designated trustee to manage any disbursements.
Special Needs Trusts
Designed to hold assets or resources to benefit a person with a disability, with a trustee appointed to manage disbursements for that person's benefit.
Charitable Trusts
Designed to hold assets or resources to benefit a charity, with a trustee appointed to manage the disbursement to that charity.
Wills & Directives
Complex Wills
Ideal for granting your assets to several people and in specific ways. You can give individual gifts, divide assets precisely among your heirs, and specifically identify life insurance policies, 401(k) plans, bank accounts, and other items — while keeping the benefits of a simple will.
Simple Wills
Best when you want to leave your assets to one person or to all of your children equally. It spares your heirs from posting an insurance bond to the court (saving them money), lets you waive detailed accountings and inventories, and ensures your wishes are carried out exactly as you choose.
Codicils
To legally change a will in Georgia, you need a codicil — and it must be executed the same way the original will was.
Powers of Attorney
Georgia has standardized the format for all POAs executed in the state. This instrument lets you designate one or more agents to act on your behalf during your lifetime to manage aspects of your property or business.
Healthcare Directives (Living Will)
Appoints an agent to manage your healthcare decisions when needed, and conveys your wishes regarding life-sustaining procedures in the event of a terminal illness.
Probate
Guidance after losing a loved one
When you've lost someone, managing their estate can feel daunting. Our attorneys provide a tailored approach to represent you in probate court, handling both uncontested and contested matters. We're knowledgeable and relatable, and we work to remove the roadblocks and keep the process as simple as possible.
Pricing
We offer both flat-rate and hourly pricing for probate matters. Payment plans are available upon request.
Probate with a Will
Georgia law doesn't recognize a will until it's been probated — it can't be acted upon until it's proven before the probate court after death. Once offered for probate, interested parties may come forward to contest its validity, which is why it's important to have an attorney review the will and guide you through the process.
Probate without a Will
Sometimes a loved one never completed a will, or it can't be found. Either way, the estate must still be administered. Becoming the legal representative — to sell property, pay creditors, or distribute assets — must be done in probate court, and our attorneys are experienced in helping families navigate it during difficult times.
Adult & Minor Guardianship
When an adult can no longer manage their daily living, safety, or welfare — or when a child is without the care of a responsible adult — guardianship may be needed. Petitioning the probate court is an involved process, and the court doesn't provide legal advice, so trusted counsel is a valuable resource.
Conservatorships
When a power of attorney is no longer reliable for managing someone's affairs, a conservatorship may be needed to appoint a person to manage their finances and property. The court weighs this carefully; we help clients evaluate whether a conservatorship is needed and guide them through the process.
Contested Representation
Death can uncover secrets and emotions we never expected, and managing an estate may come with questions, contests, and objections. We handle contested matters for family representatives in Probate and Superior Court — honest with you, and a strong advocate when you need it most.
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Get to know RS Johnson Legal
Your legacy starts with a conversation
Sit down with an attorney who will take the time to understand your family and build a plan around it. Reach out to schedule your planning meeting.
