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The Daily Insight

How long does an executor have to distribute assets in Georgia?

Author

Henry Morales

Published Apr 10, 2026

Let’s look at the normal timeframe to settle an estate in Georgia. When there are no disputes between family members, I would expect it to take an average of 12 to 18 months to handle an estate from the time the initial petition is filed to the time when the estate is formally closed.

Does an executor get paid in GA?

Under Georgia law, an executor may serve with or without compensation, as directed in the will. First, an executor is entitled to receive 2 1/2 percent of all money brought into the estate, and 2 1/2 percent of all money paid or distributed out of an estate.

What is the executor of a will entitled to in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, there is no time limit on settling an estate. After your loved one passes away, there is no set number of days or months to open an estate. The usual time frame is from two weeks to as long as six months.

What percentage does an executor get in Georgia?

First, an executor is entitled to receive 2 1/2 percent of all money brought into the estate, and 2 1/2 percent of all money paid or distributed out of an estate. Interestingly, this amount does not include the value of real estate (unless it is sold by the executor) or stocks and bonds (unless sold by the executor).

How does an executor work in a Georgia estate?

Under Georgia estate law, an executor might serve with or without payment as directed in the will. If the will does not state anything about executor’s fees, then the administrator will be compensated according to the default guidelines of Georgia probate law.

Who are the beneficiaries of a will in Georgia?

After paying creditors, estate expenses and taxes, the remaining assets (if any) may be distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries of the estate. If a Will is present, then the Will directs to whom certain property should be distributed to and the Executor must act accordingly in the confines of the law.

What happens during the probate process in Georgia?

In Georgia, the appointed executor of the decedent’s estate is responsible for the probate bond. These bonds guarantee that all the estate debts will be satisfied and that the remaining assets will be properly distributed to the appropriate heirs. So you just became the executor.

Who is next in line for inheritance in Georgia?

If the deceased had no offspring, the line of inheritance moves upward to their parents. If the parents are no longer alive, collateral heirs—brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews—are next in line. But the next of kin individual may not want this new responsibility. They are not obligated to serve as the executor.