There is no easy way to face the loss of a loved one. Whether their death came after a serious illness or was an unexpected loss, you and your family are probably dealing with a lot of difficult emotions right now. On top of grieving, you now have to handle your loved one’s estate, which probably means going through the process of probate.

Probate is often held up as a scary and unnecessary process in Georgia, but you do not have to be scared. In many cases, probate is a relatively straightforward process that makes handling a loved one’s estate much easier than it would otherwise be. This is true even if the deceased had a will that outlined his or her wishes.

So why is probate necessary even if your loved one had a thorough estate plan? There can be a number of reasons. If your loved one still owed money to creditors or had debt when he or she passed away, those debts will be paid up during probate. This process also makes sure that inheritances are distributed according to the person’s will. If they established any trusts, these will also be handled during probate.

While a useful and sometimes necessary process, probate can also be confusing and tedious. You may be staring down a massive pile of related paperwork or wondering how to deal with issues surrounding your loved one’s will, but have no idea where to start or who to turn to. In these types of situations, an attorney who is well-versed in Georgia estate planning and probate can help you address all of these concerns.