Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Georgia
Disbursement of Settlements
If a spouse dies in an accident, is their family (parents, siblings, etc) entitled to monies awarded from the settlement or is it basically awarded to those who were directly supported by the deceased prior to death (his/her household)?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Disbursement of Settlements
There is an order of priority set by statute, with the spouse and children being first. You should consult an attorney to see if there are any exceptions to your situation.
Re: Disbursement of Settlements
It depends on the type of claim you are settling. Georgia law is very specific on who can settle a claim on behalf of the estate and who can settle a claim for wrongful death. Without more specific details, your question can not be answered directly.