Yeah, to what Heavy D said. I'm not an estate planning lawyer, but most attorneys can, and do, help people make basic wills, and complete the "Advance Directive for Healthcare" (the standard model of which is actually in the O.C.G.A. statute itself) and the Financial Power of Attorney (also a standard form, to be taken directly from the O.C.G.A.).
I don't see much advantage to a trust for normal people of ordinary means and assets. Wills are quick and pretty easy to probate in Georgia. If you know you are on your way out, you can give away your assets inter-vivos (while you live) and then pass away without any "estate" to distribute, so then no probating of the will is even required.
But if your CPA or tax adviser recommends doing a trust for tax benefits, see an attorney whose primary practice area is estate planning (I recommend Robert S. Meyring of The Meyring Firm in Vinings).
HOWEVER, even though I don't recommend trusts over wills, I do strongly recommend having a will over NOT having a will. Dying intestate with an estate to be distributed is a P.I.T.A. to your heirs and whatever relative of yours is saddled with the task of being the administrator of your estate. DO get a WILL.
I don't see much advantage to a trust for normal people of ordinary means and assets. Wills are quick and pretty easy to probate in Georgia. If you know you are on your way out, you can give away your assets inter-vivos (while you live) and then pass away without any "estate" to distribute, so then no probating of the will is even required.
But if your CPA or tax adviser recommends doing a trust for tax benefits, see an attorney whose primary practice area is estate planning (I recommend Robert S. Meyring of The Meyring Firm in Vinings).
HOWEVER, even though I don't recommend trusts over wills, I do strongly recommend having a will over NOT having a will. Dying intestate with an estate to be distributed is a P.I.T.A. to your heirs and whatever relative of yours is saddled with the task of being the administrator of your estate. DO get a WILL.