What Does Caveat Mean?

Caveat is a word that gets thrown around a lot in probate situations, but what does caveat mean?

In this article, we’re going to look at not only what caveat means, but also some practical scenarios where it is used.

My name is Erik Broel & I am the founder & CEO of Georgia Probate Law Group.

At our firm we help families who have lost a loved one navigate the complex and confusing legal process so they can make sure the estate is handled properly and their loved one’s memory is honored.

In simplest terms, the word caveat means a legal objection.

Historically, the word meant to object to a will. But, the word caveat is often used to mean any objection that is filed against a probate petition.

It is important to note that when we use the term caveat, we mean a legal objection that is filed with the court.

If a person disagrees with something the executor or administrator is doing, then while we may say the person objects to that thing, it is not a legal objection (and therefore not a caveat) unless a legal objection is filed with the probate court.

Common Caveat Examples

Some common examples of things that may be objected to (or caveated) are:

1. A petition to probate a will.
2. A petition to open an estate without a will.
3. A petition for year’s support.
4. A petition for leave to sell property.
5. A petition to add powers.
6. A petition for discharge.

While the list above is not exhaustive, I hope it helps to give you an idea of the type of things where filing a caveat to object would be appropriate.

Next Steps: 

Everything discussed in this article is for general information and is not legal advice.

If you are in a situation where you have concerns about the Georgia Probate process, I recommend you reach out to our office at (770) 920-6030 to set up a consultation.

If you’re not quite ready for a consultation, be sure to download our Georgia Probate Handbook so you know how the estate is supposed to be handled.

Disclaimer: The information above is provided for general information only and should not be considered legal advice. Our probate attorneys provide legal advice to our clients after talking about the specific circumstances of the client’s situation. Our law firm cannot give you legal advice unless we understand your situation by talking with you. Please contact our law office to receive specific information about your situation.