The clerk and deputy clerks desire to help all parties that ask for assistance and will attempt to do so. The clerk and deputy clerks are strictly forbidden to practice law by statute and are restricted in what they can give advice about or assistance in preparing. Sound legal advice must only come from a licensed practicing attorney and the clerk's office encourages all parties to seek competent legal advice. We ask that you be understanding with our staff as we attempt to assist you, knowing the limitations we face in assisting each individual party to a case.

The Probate Court is located at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, Georgia 31401 (Map and Directions). The office accepts filings Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All pleadings filed with the Chatham County Probate Court by mail must be signed, verified, and have the appropriate filing fees. Pleadings without fees will be returned without filing.

• What to do when a Loved One Dies?
• How to identify Heirs?
• What are the duties of a Personal Representative (Administrator or Executor)?
• Probate Forms
• Filing Fees
• Annual Return - Executor or Administrator – Filing Fee $40.00 plus $2.00 per page
• Inventory - Executor or Administrator – Filing Fee $40.00 plus $2.00 per page
• What you should know BEFORE filing a Petition for Temporary Letters of Administration
• What you should know BEFORE filing a Petition to Probate Will in Common Form
• What is a Probate Bond?

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What if the only asset the decedent owned is a bank account with less than $15,000?

If the deceased person had no will and the only asset is money deposited in a bank or other financial institution, and the amount is less than $15,000, an heir-at-law may be able to claim those assets by completing an affidavit for financial institution without petitioning for Letters of Administration. O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239. Some banks may require a Determination of Heirs Worksheet with the Banking Affidavit.

• Banking Affidavit of Surviving Relative Intestate Estate (No Will)
• Determination of Heirs Worksheet

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Filing your Will for Safekeeping

You have the option to file your will for safekeeping in the Probate Court. Only you or your attorney can file a will for safekeeping. Wills that are filed for safe-keeping will require a $15.00 storage fee. The will should be brought to Probate Court in a sealed envelope. The testator must complete an information sheet and the sealed envelope containing the will is then filed in a fire-proof cabinet. The will shall remain confidential, and no person other than the person depositing the same, his legal representative, or his attorney in fact shall have access to the file prior to the death of the testator.

• Will Filed for Safekeeping

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What if a decedent owes me money?

If a decedent owes you money, you can notify the personal representative by filing in Probate Court a Claim Against the Estate . The Probate Court does not have jurisdiction to hear a disputed claim so you should file a legal action in the appropriate other court to prove your claim and obtain a judgment.

• Claim Against the Estate

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Additional helpful information regarding estate related filings in the Probate Court can be found on the Attorney & Pro Se Filer Resource Page.

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