When people create their wills, they generally name one or more individuals to supervise the distribution of their assets. Georgia customarily uses the term "personal representative" to refer to both executors and administrators, but get more specific when it comes to conveying title to real estate. An executor is a personal representative designated in a will to manage a testate decedent's estate; an administrator is appointed by the probate court, and can be involved in either testate or intestate (without a will) processes.

During probate, the court may direct an executor to sell real property pursuant to the terms of the decedent's will, to pay the estate's debts, or to consolidate the decedent's estate for devise among multiple beneficiaries. The named personal representative uses an executor's deed to transfer real property from a testate estate. The executor's deed contains all the information required for a standard conveyance, such as a quitclaim or warranty deed, but also includes relevant details about the decedent and the probate case.

To transfer title to a buyer, record the completed executor's deed, along with any necessary supporting documents, with the real property records of the appropriate county.

Consult an attorney with questions about the executor's deed, or with any other issues related to probate in Georgia.

(Georgia Executor Deed Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

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