How Long after a Person Dies Will Beneficiaries Be Notified in Georgia?

When a person dies, there are specific legal proceedings that ensure the deceased’s assets will be distributed appropriately to the rightful heirs. If you have a loved one who passed away recently, you might wonder what the appropriate waiting time is to find out if you were included in their will or if you’ll inherit any share of the deceased’s estate. How long after a person dies will beneficiaries be notified in Georgia?

You might think it might be too insensitive or too soon to ask something like this, but it’s still an important and valid question. If, in other articles, we explained details related to the probate process, we’ll detail the surrounding beneficiary notifications in this post.

Who Reads a Will After Death?

This only happens in movies and TV shows.

In reality, usually, the named executor will read the deceased’s will. Moreover, who reads the decedent’s will may depend on whether the testament has been submitted to probate yet:

• The estate-named executor (and, if necessary, the coexecutors) – as they are the personal representatives chosen by the testator, they are responsible for the proper execution of all the estate’s fiduciary responsibilities.
• The beneficiaries named in the will – any beneficiary of a will can request a copy of the testament, as it indicates which share from the deceased person’s assets they may receive.
• Heirs-at-law and/or prior beneficiaries – who are not listed in the will but may feel they are entitled to a part of the estate. A copy may be given to the decedent’s heirs at law for challenges to the will’s validity.
• Successor trustee – in a pour-over will, the fund’s trustee has the right to receive a copy of the will to determine how the trust funds should be paid out.

After opening the estate with the appropriate probate court, the will becomes a public record, and any other interested parties can request a copy of the original will.