From the desk of
Attorney Stewart

Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, settling debts, and distributing a deceased person's assets. In Georgia, that process runs through the probate court in the county where the deceased person lived—for most Alpharetta residents, that means Fulton County Probate Court. It can take months, sometimes longer, and it becomes part of the public record. So yes—many people want to avoid it. And in many cases, they can. But the right approach depends on what

If you've ever typed "what does an estate planning attorney do" into a search bar, you're probably somewhere between curious and quietly anxious. Maybe a neighbor mentioned setting up a trust. Maybe a parent's health has shifted. Maybe you just bought a home near the Big Creek Greenway and realized—for the first time—that you have real assets to protect. Whatever brought you here, the answer to that question matters more than most people expect. An estate planning attorney do

When someone you love passes away, the last thing most families want to think about is paperwork and legal processes. But understanding what happens to a person's estate after death—and who's responsible for managing it—can make an enormous difference in how smoothly things go for everyone involved. Two terms come up constantly in these conversations: probate and estate administration. They're often used interchangeably, but they aren't quite the same thing. If you live in Al

If you or a loved one may need nursing home care, in-home assistance, or another form of long-term support, one of the first questions that comes up is: how do we pay for this? Long-term care is expensive. In Georgia, nursing home costs usually run $6,000 to $9,000 or more per month. Medicare, which many people confuse with Medicaid, generally does not cover long-term care beyond a short rehabilitation stay. That leaves Medicaid as the main public program most families turn t

If you feel like you’re being pushed in both directions, you’re not alone. The “sandwich generation” refers to adults who are simultaneously caring for aging parents while still supporting their children. Many people in the sandwich generation we’ve seen are juggling jobs, households, medical appointments, school schedules, and growing financial pressure, all at the same time. It’s a lot, and we get it. One parent needs help with medications. A child needs tuition support. Su

Incapacity is defined as physical or mental inability to do something or to manage one's affairs. Incapacity planning is about staying in control even when you can’t speak for yourself. This applies to illnesses, dementia, Alzheimer’s, or a sudden accident that ever makes it hard for you to manage your own finances or make healthcare decisions. If any of that happens, and you didn’t have the right estate planning documents in place for yourself, the law wouldn’t let your fam

The first mistake nearly everyone makes with estate planning is procrastinating. People put it off, assuming they’ll do it later in life, when retirement is close or when health issues start creeping in. Honestly, estate planning is less about age and more about control. It’s about deciding who makes decisions for you if you become unable to do so, who receives your assets, and how much stress your family will face if you suddenly fall ill or pass away. This can sound like

Nursing home care is expensive, often costing tens of thousands per year, and if you’re not prepared, it can quickly deplete savings. The good news? With early planning, legal strategies, and the right attorney , families can protect assets while ensuring their loved one gets the care they need without any financial trouble. Yes—Nursing Home Fees Are Expensive The average cost of a private nursing home room in the U.S. is around $12,000 to $15,000 per month. Even a semi-priva

Catching Dementia and Alzheimer's early and creating a personalized plan is the smartest thing you can achieve in this situation, here's how: