Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Georgia

my husband died with no will-he has one daughter. I'm receiving personal injury settlement from his death-will I have to split with his daughter?


Asked on 5/22/13, 5:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Yes. See OCGA � 51-4-2. Persons entitled to bring action for wrongful death of spouse or parent; survival of action; release of wrongdoer; disposition of recovery; exemption of recovery from liability for decedent's debts; recovery not barred by child's being born out of wedlock

Under the statute, if there is one child of the deceased, you and the child split. If your husband had more than two children, you get 1/3rd and the children each get a 1/3rd. If he had more than 2 children, you still get 1/3rd, but the children would split the remainder depending on how many of them there are.

(d) (1) Any amount recovered under subsection (a) of this Code section shall be equally divided, share and share alike, among the surviving spouse and the children per capita, and the descendants of children shall take per stirpes, provided that any such recovery to which a minor child is entitled and which equals less than $15,000.00 shall be held by the natural guardian of the child, who shall hold and use such money for the benefit of the child and shall be accountable for same; and any such recovery to which a minor child is entitled and which equals $15,000.00 or more shall be held by a guardian of the property of such child.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, the surviving spouse shall receive no less than one-third of such recovery as such spouse's share.

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Answered on 5/22/13, 9:21 pm


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