Estate Planning Attorney In Marietta

Protect Your Family, Home, & Business With A Clear Plan

If you own a home, support a family, or run a business, you already know that planning matters. Working with a specialist estate planning attorney in Marietta can help you turn good intentions into clear legal documents that work under Georgia law.

At Reed Leeper, P.C., we help individuals, families, and business owners create practical estate plans that reflect their goals and protect the people they care about. Many of our clients come to us feeling unsure about where to start or worried about leaving a legal mess behind. We guide them through each decision in a structured and understandable way.

Own a home or business in Marietta? One meeting can lock in your wishes and protect what you built. Book your estate planning strategy session today.

Why Work With Our Estate Team

Choosing the right estate planning lawyer in Marietta is not only about forms and signatures. It is about working with a team that understands how your property, business interests, and family dynamics fit together and how Georgia law will treat them. Our attorneys approach each plan with strategic depth and careful attention to detail.

Because our practice includes business and construction law, we are familiar with the types of assets many clients in the Marietta area hold. These can include closely held companies, contractor interests, real estate holdings, and complex contracts. We work to align your estate documents with those realities so that your plan functions in practice, not only on paper.

Our team, with more than a century of combined legal service, is accustomed to managing complicated legal issues. This includes matters that may eventually involve courts or contested proceedings. That background informs how we draft wills, trusts, and related documents so they are clear, consistent, and less likely to invite disputes among heirs or business partners.

We also recognize that cost is a real concern. Our goal is to create estate plans that are thorough and tailored, while remaining mindful of efficiency. We focus on the documents and structures you need, and we communicate with you about options so you can make informed choices about scope and budget.

Estate Planning In Georgia Explained

Many people are surprised to learn what happens in Georgia if someone dies without a valid will. State intestacy rules determine who inherits, which may not match what you would choose. For families in Cobb County, this can lead to outcomes that divide property in unexpected ways or leave important people out entirely.

A complete estate plan often involves more than a will. For many clients, it includes documents such as a financial power of attorney, a health care directive, and specific designations for beneficiaries on accounts. In some situations, clients consider using trusts to manage timing or conditions on how assets are distributed.

Georgia law and local procedures shape how these documents operate. In many estates, matters are handled through the Cobb County Probate Court, which generally oversees the administration of wills and the appointment of personal representatives. When documents are unclear or incomplete, the process can become slower and more stressful for the people you leave behind.

Our attorneys focus on how these rules affect real families in and around Marietta, GA. We explain, in everyday language, how probate often works and what steps your loved ones may need to take. Then we work with you to design an estate plan that aims to reduce complications, clarify your wishes, and ease the burden on the people who will have to carry out your instructions.

Our Estate Planning Process

When you work with our team, we want the process to feel organized and manageable, not overwhelming. We start by learning about your family, property, and goals. Then we help you decide which tools make sense for your situation and how they should work together under Georgia law.

In a typical matter, we begin with an initial conversation where we ask about your current documents, if any, the people you want to provide for, and any concerns about businesses or real estate. Based on that discussion, we outline a planning approach and the key decisions you will need to make, such as who will serve as executor, trustee, or agent under a power of attorney.

As we draft your documents, we explain what each one does and how it fits into the overall plan. Our attorneys avoid unnecessary legal jargon and encourage you to ask questions. You should understand what you are signing and feel comfortable that it reflects your wishes. When revisions are needed, we address them carefully so the final plan is consistent and clear.

Cost awareness is part of this process. We discuss the likely scope of work with you at the outset and focus on steps that provide meaningful benefit. Our goal is to give you a tailored plan that protects what matters most, while keeping the process as efficient as circumstances allow.

Planning For Family & Business

Many clients in the Marietta area own businesses, work as contractors, or hold significant real estate. For them, estate planning is not only about passing down personal belongings. It is also about preserving income, protecting partners, and setting up a structure that allows operations to continue if something happens to an owner.

Our background in business and construction law is valuable in this context. We are familiar with ownership structures, contracts, and risk allocation in these industries. When we act as an estate attorney Marietta for a business owner, we consider issues such as who may step into management roles, how interests might be valued or transferred, and how to coordinate with existing agreements that affect succession.

Real estate is another common concern. Whether you own a residence in Marietta, GA, investment properties, or land related to construction activity, you likely want to avoid confusion about who will manage or inherit those assets. We work with you to consider how titles are held, how mortgages or liens may be addressed, and how to minimize potential friction among heirs.

Family situations can also be complex. Blended families, children from prior relationships, or relatives with special needs require careful planning so that everyone is treated fairly according to your wishes. Our attorneys draw on their litigation experience to anticipate where misunderstandings or conflicts might arise, then draft documents that aim to reduce those risks and provide clearer guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Really Need An Estate Plan In Georgia?

Most adults benefit from an estate plan, even if they do not think of themselves as wealthy. Without one, Georgia intestacy rules and the Cobb County Probate Court process generally control what happens. A tailored plan gives you more control and can reduce stress and confusion for your family.

How Long Will My Estate Planning Process Take?

The timeline depends on how complex your situation is and how quickly decisions are made. Many straightforward plans can be prepared and signed over several weeks. More involved matters, such as those with businesses or multiple properties, may require additional meetings and careful coordination of documents.

What Should I Bring To Our First Meeting?

It helps to bring any existing wills or powers of attorney, basic information about your assets, and a list of the people you want to provide for. If you have questions or particular concerns, writing them down beforehand can make the conversation more productive for you.

Can Your Team Help With My Family Business?

Yes. Our attorneys regularly advise business owners and contractors, and we understand how company interests and contracts affect estate planning. We work with you to consider management, succession, and transfer options so your plan supports both your family and the long-term health of your business.

How Do You Approach Fees For Estate Planning?

We focus on cost-effective planning and clear communication about scope. At the outset, we discuss the likely work involved and the fee structure that will apply. Our goal is to align the level of planning with your needs and priorities, without unnecessary complexity or surprise costs.

Lock in your legacy in Marietta today

Your home, family, and business deserve more than guesswork. A clear, Georgia-compliant estate plan can cut confusion, avoid costly delays, and make sure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended. Get focused guidance and documents that protect what you built.

Call (470) 837-6002 to talk with our estate planning team today.