What is the difference between a will and an intestate estate?

A will and an intestate estate are two of the most common ways of transferring your assets after you pass away. The main difference between a will and an intestate estate is how your assets are distributed. A will is a legal document that outlines who will receive your assets after your death. You can specify which assets you want to give to whom, and you can even name an executor, who is the person in charge of managing and distributing your assets. In order to ensure that your wishes are respected, your will must go through probate, a legal process that declares it legally binding. An intestate estate is the default way your assets will be distributed if you die without a will. In this case, your assets will be distributed according to Georgia’s intestate succession law. This law outlines who will receive your assets based on your family relations. The assets are divided up between your spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives. Overall, the difference between a will and an intestate estate is that while a will allows you to specify who gets what, intestate succession laws are default rules that state who will receive your assets if you do not have a will.

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What is the difference between a will and an intestate estate?

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