📍 Georgia Estate Planning Guide
Best Online Will Makers in Georgia 2026
State-specific probate laws, tax rules, and our top-ranked will & trust services for Georgia residents — tested and reviewed.
✍️ Updated June 2026
⚖️ Georgia Law Reviewed
👥 5 Services Compared
Why Estate Planning Matters in Georgia
Creating a will or living trust is one of the most important financial decisions you can make for your family. Without a valid will, Georgia's intestacy laws — not your wishes — determine who inherits your assets, who raises your children, and how your estate is distributed.
The good news: online will makers have made legal estate planning accessible to every Georgia resident at a fraction of traditional attorney costs ($89–$399 vs. $1,500–$5,000+ for a traditional estate attorney).
⚠️ Georgia-Specific Note: Georgia requires both 2 witnesses AND notarization for a valid will — don't skip the notary! Living trusts are popular to bypass probate entirely.
Georgia Estate Planning Laws
⚖️ Georgia Key Facts
- Probate System: Georgia Probate Courts handle estate administration. Georgia has solemn form and common form probate. Small estates under $10,000 can use an affidavit. The process typically takes 6–12 months.
- Estate & Inheritance Tax: Georgia has no state estate tax or inheritance tax.
- Will Signing Requirements: 2 witnesses AND a notary required in Georgia — more requirements than most states.
- Inheritance Rules: Surviving spouse and children share equally in intestate succession; surviving spouse gets at least a child's share.
Probate in Georgia
Georgia Probate Courts handle estate administration. Georgia has solemn form and common form probate. Small estates under $10,000 can use an affidavit. The process typically takes 6–12 months.
A revocable living trust is the most effective way to avoid probate entirely in Georgia. Assets held in a trust pass directly to beneficiaries outside of court — saving time, legal fees, and the stress of probate proceedings.
Georgia Estate & Inheritance Tax
Georgia has no state estate tax or inheritance tax.
Medicaid Asset Protection in Georgia
Georgia Medicaid has a 5-year lookback for nursing home planning. Spousal impoverishment protections apply.
If you or a family member may need nursing home care in the future, Medicaid planning in Georgia should be part of your estate plan. Speak with a licensed elder law attorney for personalized advice.
Quick Comparison: Best Will Makers for Georgia
Top Will & Trust Services for Georgia Residents
| Service |
Score |
Will Price |
Trust Price |
State-Specific |
Link |
| Editor's Choice Trust & Will |
9.4/10 |
$199 |
$399 |
✓ |
View Deal |
| LegalZoom |
9.1/10 |
$89 |
$279 |
~ |
View Deal |
| Nolo's WillMaker |
8.7/10 |
$99 |
$249 |
~ |
View Deal |
| LawDepot |
8.3/10 |
$49 |
$149 |
~ |
View Deal |
| Fabric by Gerber |
7.8/10 |
Free |
N/A |
~ |
View Deal |
Detailed Reviews: Best Will Services for Georgia
Our team reviewed each service based on Georgia-specific document accuracy, ease of use, price, customer support, and compliance with Georgia's will signing requirements.
★ Editor's Choice
Trust & Will
Best overall — attorney-reviewed, valid in all 50 states
9.4/10
Attorney-reviewed docsAll 50 statesPOA & healthcare directive includedFree updatesCouples plans available
- ✓ Most comprehensive package
- ✓ Excellent UX
- ✓ State-specific guidance built in
- ✓ 400K+ customers
- ✗ Pricier than basic options
- ✗ No attorney consultation included
Get Started with Trust & Will →
LegalZoom
Most trusted brand — 4M+ customers, publicly traded
9.1/10
4M+ customersAttorney-draftedState-specificNASDAQ: LZAttorney access add-on
- ✓ Most recognized brand
- ✓ Strong state-specific docs
- ✓ Attorney network access
- ✓ Long track record
- ✗ Attorney consult costs extra
- ✗ Upsell-heavy interface
Get Started with LegalZoom →
Nolo's WillMaker
Best value — one-time purchase, no subscription
8.7/10
One-time purchaseNo subscriptionTrusted since 1971State-specificSoftware download
- ✓ No recurring fees
- ✓ Nolo's authoritative legal reputation
- ✓ Good for DIY users
- ✓ Comprehensive questionnaire
- ✗ Desktop software feel
- ✗ Less modern UI
- ✗ Limited live support
Get Started with Nolo's WillMaker →
LawDepot
Best for single documents — pay per form
8.3/10
Pay per documentState-specific formsInstant downloadSubscription optionWidely used
- ✓ Lowest per-document cost
- ✓ Flexible — pay only for what you need
- ✓ Fast and simple
- ✗ Less guidance than competitors
- ✗ No attorney review
- ✗ Subscription auto-renews
Get Started with LawDepot →
Fabric by Gerber
Best free option — basic will at no cost
7.8/10
Free willLife insurance integrationMobile-firstGuardianship focusParents-focused
- ✓ Completely free basic will
- ✓ Great for young parents
- ✓ Integrated life insurance quotes
- ✗ No living trust
- ✗ Limited customization
- ✗ Life insurance upsell
Get Started with Fabric by Gerber →
How to Create a Valid Will in Georgia
Creating a legally valid will in Georgia requires following specific formalities. Here's what you need:
- Be of legal age: You must be 18 or older (or legally emancipated) to create a will in Georgia.
- Sound mind: You must be of "sound mind" — understanding what a will is, what you own, and who your heirs are.
- Written document: Georgia requires a written (typed or printed) will. Most states also recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
- Signature: Sign your will at the end. If you cannot sign, someone may sign in your presence at your direction.
- Witnesses: 2 witnesses AND a notary required in Georgia — more requirements than most states.
- Safe storage: Store your original will somewhere safe. Tell your executor where to find it. Consider filing it with the Georgia court if your state allows it.
Will vs. Living Trust in Georgia
Both wills and living trusts are valid estate planning tools in Georgia, but they serve different purposes:
Will vs. Trust Comparison
- Will: Takes effect at death; goes through Georgia probate; becomes public record; does not cover incapacity planning
- Living Trust: Avoids Georgia probate entirely; remains private; can manage assets if you become incapacitated; more complex to set up but saves time and costs for beneficiaries
- Best for most Georgia residents: A "pour-over will" combined with a revocable living trust — the will catches any assets not transferred to the trust, while the trust handles the bulk of your estate outside of probate
Frequently Asked Questions: Wills & Trusts in Georgia
What is the best online will maker for Georgia residents?
Trust & Will is our top pick for Georgia residents — it guides you through Georgia's unique 2-witness + notary requirement. Their documents are attorney-reviewed and designed to meet Georgia's specific legal requirements. Starting at $199 for a complete individual plan, it's significantly less than hiring a local estate planning attorney.
Are online wills legal in Georgia?
Yes — online wills are legally valid in Georgia when properly executed. You must follow Georgia's signing requirements: 2 witnesses and a notary required in georgia — more requirements than most states. Reputable online services like Trust & Will and LegalZoom provide state-specific instructions to ensure your will meets all Georgia legal requirements.
How does probate work in Georgia?
Georgia Probate Courts handle estate administration. Georgia has solemn form and common form probate. Small estates under $10,000 can use an affidavit. The process typically takes 6–12 months. A living trust is the most effective way to avoid the Georgia probate process entirely.
Does Georgia have an estate or inheritance tax?
Georgia has no state estate tax or inheritance tax.
What happens if I die without a will in Georgia?
Surviving spouse and children share equally in intestate succession; surviving spouse gets at least a child's share. Dying without a will (intestate) in Georgia means the courts decide who gets your assets, who raises your children, and who manages your estate — which may not match your wishes. Creating even a basic will prevents this.
How does Medicaid planning affect my estate in Georgia?
Georgia Medicaid has a 5-year lookback for nursing home planning. Spousal impoverishment protections apply. Proper planning — including irrevocable trusts, spousal protection strategies, and Medicaid-compliant annuities — can significantly protect your estate from nursing home costs while maintaining eligibility for Georgia Medicaid benefits.
Next Steps for Georgia Residents
Ready to protect your family? Here's what to do:
- Choose a service: Trust & Will is our top recommendation for Georgia residents.
- Gather information: List your assets, beneficiaries, and executor choices before starting.
- Complete your documents: Follow the state-specific instructions for Georgia signing requirements.
- Execute properly: Sign with your witnesses (2 witnesses and a notary required in georgia — more requirements than most states.) and keep the original safe.
- Review periodically: Update your will after major life events (marriage, divorce, birth, significant asset changes).
Protect Your Georgia Family Today
Start your will or trust in minutes — Trust & Will is attorney-reviewed and valid in Georgia.
Get Started with Trust & Will →
Disclosure: Law-Trust.com earns a referral fee from some services on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — we only recommend services we've reviewed. See our editorial policy. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Georgia attorney for personalized estate planning guidance.