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Georgia · Georgia Probate Courts

Richmond County Probate Court Guide

Probate Court information · Updated June 2026

Settling an estate while grieving is hard. This page takes it one step at a time, and free local help is listed below.

$175+
Court filing fee
3 months
Creditor claims, from notice
(706) 821-2434
Filing office phone
Independent guide · Verified June 2026 · Richmond County Probate CourtSources (8)

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Not sure if you need probate?

Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.

Immediate Actions

The first days

First: Get Death Certificates

Required for everything

Richmond County Health Department

Cost: $25/copy
Get: 10 copies
Office info
Address: 1916 North Leg Road, Augusta, GA 30909
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. per Georgia DPH location page.

Secure the Property

  • Lock the residence and secure valuable items
  • Forward mail to a responsible family member
  • Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)

Locate Important Documents

Will or trust documents
Property deeds
Bank/investment statements
Insurance policies
Vehicle titles
Tax returns (last 3 years)

Required by Law

Legal duties

Deposit the Will

The court's live-wills page says a person may file a will with Probate Court for safekeeping during life. After death, the executor or attorney must produce an obituary, funeral program, or death certificate so the clerk can move the will to deceased-will files. Verify current post-death filing requirements with the court.

Cost: Verify locally
Where: Richmond County Probate Court
Clerk Website

Creditor claim window

Creditors generally have 3 months from last publication of the notice to creditors to bring claims against the estate. (O.C.G.A. § 53-7-41)

Notify Key Parties

  • Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
  • Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
  • Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits

Assess Your Situation

Before filing anything

Which probate type is right for you?

1

Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Georgia small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.

2

Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for petition to probate the will. If no will exists, it's administration without a will.

3

Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require probate court administration.

Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.

Which applies to your situation?

Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.

Documents you'll need:

  • Petition to Probate Will in Common Form
  • Certified Death Certificate
  • Original Will

Documents you'll need:

  • Petition to Probate Will in Solemn Form
  • Certified Death Certificate
  • Original Will

Verify current permanent and temporary administration instructions with the county process page and fee calculator before filing.

Documents you'll need:

  • Petition for Letters of Administration
  • Certified Death Certificate

The county fee calculator includes GPCSF 9. Verify unanimous consent, creditor notice, legal description, and court-cost requirements before filing.

Documents you'll need:

  • Petition for Order Declaring No Administration Necessary
  • Certified Death Certificate

A limited financial-institution affidavit path may apply to qualifying intestate deposits of not more than $15,000. This is not a general probate-court small-estate affidavit.

Qualifies:
$15,000

Documents you'll need:

  • Certified Death Certificate

The court's will-probate page describes filing the original will, paying filing fees, clerk review, hearing scheduling, oath, Letters Testamentary, and possible bond, inventory, annual return, and notice duties.

File for Probate

Where to file, forms & fees

Where to File

Office: Richmond County Probate Court
Address: 735 James Brown Boulevard, Suite 1000, Augusta, GA 30901
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; staff meeting Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
How: in person, mail, e file through TrueFiling

Free Filing Help Available

Augusta-Richmond County Law Library can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.

Visit Self-Help Center

Other Topics That May Apply

Property & Real Estate

Property transfer after death, recording

Transfer on Death Deed (Avoids Probate)

Richmond County Clerk of Superior, State and Juvenile Court - Real Estate/Deeds/Liens/UCCs

Website

Vehicle Title Transfer

Retitle or transfer the deceased's vehicle. Office, forms, fees.

Richmond County Tax Commissioner

Tax Commissioner

Address:
535 Telfair Street, Suite 100, Augusta, GA 30901
Office Website

Use the local tag office for county tag/title questions and Georgia DOR's estate-vehicle page for statewide title documentation requirements.

Transfer scenarios

Vehicle From Estate — With Letters or Year's Support

Documents needed:

  • Completed and signed MV-1 Title/Tag Application
  • Original valid title issued in the deceased's name (or properly assigned to the deceased) with all recorded liens and/or security interests released
  • Completed and signed Form T-4 Lien or Security Interest Release (if a lien appears on the existing title)
  • Certified copy of Letters of Testamentary, OR certified copy of Year's Support
  • Certified copy of the deceased's death certificate
  • Form MV-16 Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship (may be required if vehicle is inherited by a family member; enables reduced 0.5% TAVT rate)
  • $18 title fee

If the title is not available, a replacement title cannot be issued in a deceased person's name — the title holder must request a duplicate title. Confirm the exact required document set with the County Tag Office or dor.georgia.gov/vehicle-inherited-or-purchased-estate.

Vehicle From Estate — Without Letters (T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance)

Documents needed:

  • Completed and signed MV-1 Title/Tag Application
  • Original valid title issued in the deceased's name with liens released
  • Completed and signed Form T-4 Lien or Security Interest Release (if applicable)
  • Completed and signed Form T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance (in the inheritor's full legal name) — OR — if only one heir: legible copy of No Administration Necessary order
  • Certified copy of the deceased's death certificate
  • Form MV-16 Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship (may be required for family inheritors; enables reduced 0.5% TAVT rate)
  • $18 title fee

If the T-20 path is used, the inheritor must title the vehicle in their own name before selling or transferring ownership. If the decedent had a non-probated will with only limited assets, a legible copy of the non-probated will must also be submitted.

Vehicle Purchased From an Estate

Documents needed:

  • Original vehicle title with executor's full legal name in the assignment section
  • Certified copy of the deceased's death certificate
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration showing personal representative authority
  • MV-1 Title/Tag Application
  • Form T-4 Lien or Security Interest Release (if applicable)
  • Form T-7 Bill of Sale — if vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure requirements AND the title is not available
  • $18 title fee

If the title is not available and an odometer disclosure IS required, the executor must first title the vehicle in their own name or in the name of the estate before transferring ownership. Confirm document requirements with the County Tag Office.

Forms

  • MV-1 DOR Motor Vehicle Title/Tag Application(MV-1)
  • T-4 Notice of Satisfaction of Security Interest or Lien Holders Affidavit(T-4)
  • T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance(T-20)(If only one heir exists, a No Administration Necessary order may be submitted instead of this form. If this form is used, the vehicle must be titled in the inheritor's name before sale or re-transfer.)
  • MV-16 Affidavit to Certify Immediate Family Relationship(MV-16)
  • T-7 Bill of Sale(T-7)(Only applicable in the purchase-from-estate scenario when the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure and the original title is unavailable. If an odometer disclosure IS required and title is unavailable, the executor must title the vehicle in the estate's name first.)

Fees

title transfer$18

Georgia DOR lists a $18 title fee for estate vehicle transfers. This fee is stated on dor.georgia.gov/vehicle-inherited-or-purchased-estate. Duplicate title fee amount not confirmed from official sources — queue for browser verification.

Small-estate vehicle transfer

Georgia provides a no-administration vehicle transfer path via the T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance. When the inheritor does not have letters testamentary or year's support, they may complete Form T-20 (Affidavit of Inheritance) as the inheritance document. If there is only one heir, a legible copy of a No Administration Necessary order may be submitted in lieu of the T-20. This is a no-administration path but requires titling the vehicle in the inheritor's own name before any resale or re-transfer. The limited deceased-depositor affidavit under O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 applies only to qualifying bank deposits and does NOT transfer vehicles.

The T-20 path is a practical no-administration route available when full letters are not obtained. It is not a 'small estate affidavit' by statute but achieves the same result for vehicle-only estates. Confirm with County Tag Office whether No Administration Necessary order (O.C.G.A. § 53-2-40 / GPCSF 9) is accepted in lieu of T-20 when there is a single heir.

Lost or duplicate title

Statewide forms and steps live in the vehicle title transfer guide. If the title cannot be found, see selling a car without a title.

Vehicle sources (5)

You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.

A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.

See how to avoid probate in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does probate cost in Richmond County?
Probate filing fees in Richmond County, Georgia vary by the type of administration. The court filing fee shown on this page is $175+; confirm current amounts with the Probate Court before filing.
How long does probate take in Richmond County?
Timelines depend on the probate procedure, the court, and whether notice or publication is required. Simplified procedures can range from a few weeks to several months, while full administration often takes 6-12 months or longer.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Richmond County?
Attorney requirements depend on the type of administration and your specific situation. Consider talking with a probate attorney before filing or making legal decisions.

Verified against Richmond County Probate Court on June 4, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Georgia can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.