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Why You Should Have a Will — And Keep It Updated
By Robin Wyatt
August 28, 2026
Article Summary
Overview
Here's a conversation I have often, and it's usually a happy one. Someone comes into our Snellville office having just bought their first house, welcomed a grandchild, or simply decided it's time to get their affairs in order, and they ask, "Do I actually need a will?" My answer is always the same: yes, and it's one of the easiest ways to give your family a gift they'll appreciate for years. A will isn't about expecting the worst. It's about planning ahead, the same way you'd plan a trip or save for retirement, so the people you care about aren't left guessing.
A Will Is a Plan, Not a Worst-Case Scenario
It's easy to put off writing a will because it feels like a heavy or morbid task. In practice, it's closer to buying insurance or setting up a savings account: a little bit of planning now that pays off later. A will simply states, in your own words, who you trust to carry out your wishes, who should receive what, and who should care for your children if it's ever needed. Once it's done, it's done. You get to go on with your life knowing that piece is handled.
Why Having a Will Brings Peace of Mind
The biggest benefit of a will has nothing to do with money. It's that it removes guesswork. Families under stress make better decisions when there's a clear plan to follow instead of open questions to argue over. A will tells your loved ones exactly what you wanted, which spares them from having to guess, from disagreeing with each other, and from wondering if they got it "right." That clarity is a genuinely generous thing to leave behind, and it's why I encourage every client, regardless of age or net worth, to have one.
What Happens in Georgia Without One
If you pass away without a valid will in Georgia, state law steps in and decides who inherits your property and who's appointed to manage your estate, using a fixed formula rather than your personal wishes. That process, called intestate succession, can take longer, cost more, and doesn't always match what you would have chosen. Either way, the estate still moves through Georgia's probate process, and a clear, up-to-date will is what keeps that process quick and straightforward rather than an added source of stress. Having a will simply keeps the decision where it belongs: with you.
One Piece of Good News: Georgia Has No Estate Tax
Here's a reassuring fact that surprises a lot of clients: Georgia does not currently impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue. That doesn't eliminate every tax question an estate might face, but it does mean your family isn't looking at a state-level tax bill on top of everything else, one less thing to plan around.
Life Moves Fast — Your Will Should Keep Up
A will you wrote ten years ago may not reflect the life you have today. I recommend clients review their will every few years, and always after a major milestone: getting married or divorced, welcoming a new child or grandchild, buying a home, moving to Georgia from another state, or a meaningful change in your assets or family relationships. Keeping it current is a quick appointment, and it's the difference between a will that reflects your actual wishes and one that's simply out of date.
Why Work With a Trusted Estate Planning Attorney
Georgia law has specific requirements for how a will must be signed and witnessed to be valid. A generic template downloaded online can miss those details, or leave gaps that create confusion for your family down the road, right when they can least afford it. Working with a local estate planning attorney means someone who knows Georgia law, knows this community, and can sit down with you, answer questions in plain language, and make sure your will actually says what you mean and holds up when it's needed. It also means having a relationship you can come back to every few years for a quick update, rather than starting from scratch.
Making a Will Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
Getting started is simpler than most people expect. In an initial conversation, we talk through your family, your property, who you'd want to name as executor, and any specific wishes you have. From there, we draft a will that's clear, properly executed under Georgia law, and easy to update later. Most clients are surprised at how quickly a task they'd been putting off for years gets crossed off the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A will isn't just for large estates. It names who raises your children if something happens to you, who handles your affairs, and who receives even modest savings, a car, or sentimental belongings. Without one, Georgia law decides those things for you.
A will is the document that states your wishes. Probate is the court process that carries those wishes out, appointing your executor, paying debts, and transferring assets. Having a clear, up-to-date will generally makes probate faster and simpler for your family.
Review it every few years, and always after a major life event: marriage, divorce, a new child or grandchild, buying property, moving to Georgia, or a significant change in assets or family relationships.
Georgia has specific requirements for a will to be valid, including how it's signed and witnessed. A generic online template can miss those requirements or leave gaps that cause confusion later. Working with a local estate planning attorney helps make sure your will actually holds up when it's needed.
Ready to Get Your Will in Place?
Whether you're drafting your very first will, updating one that's a few years old, or handling a probate or quitclaim deed matter for a loved one's estate, our Snellville office works with clients throughout Snellville, Lawrenceville, and Gwinnett County, Georgia, including matters before the Gwinnett County Probate Court. If you're currently settling a loved one's estate, our step-by-step guide to how probate works in Georgia walks through what to expect. Reach out to our office and let's get your plan in place, one conversation at a time.