Brightside Estate and Elder Law is an Atlanta-based firm focused exclusively on estate planning, elder law, business succession, and probate matters for Georgia individuals and families. Led by attorneys Trace Brooks and Ruthann P. Lacey, the practice maintains offices at 309 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE, Suite 400-103, Atlanta, GA 30305, in the Buckhead corridor.
Core practice areas include drafting wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, guardianship proceedings, long-term care planning, and business succession strategy. The firm tailors estate plans to specific life circumstances: parents raising children with special needs, families coordinating the care of aging parents, blended family households, and business owners mapping out ownership transitions. Attorneys explain that trusts can provide asset protection, bypass Georgia probate, and deliver tax advantages, while properly executed wills govern asset distribution and appoint guardians for minor children.
The firm explains Georgia intestacy laws and probate procedures in plain terms, noting that uncontested estates in Georgia typically require nine to eighteen months to close through the probate court, and that assets held in trust transfer privately to beneficiaries without court involvement.
Brightside emphasizes that estate plans should be revisited at major life milestones, including marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the acquisition of a business, and significant changes in net worth. The attorneys build plans designed to evolve alongside clients rather than serve as one-time documents.
Client testimonials on the site highlight responsive communication, clear explanations of complex tax and estate topics, and attentive handling of both routine planning and contested matters. The firm publishes educational blog content on Georgia-specific estate topics and is active across multiple social media platforms.
Consultations are available by phone at (404) 492-9559 or through an online contact form on the firm’s website.