Robert W. Hughes Jr.

I have been in practice since 1992. My practice primarily focuses on probate, guardianship and probate litigation. I have handled numerous hearings and jury trials throughout the State of Georgia from Savannah to Dalton. I have also handled appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court for my clients. My firm is a small firm specializing in superior service to our clients. My team consists of five lawyers, five paralegals, and an office manager who all have worked with me for many years. We are technologically savvy and communicate with our clients via email and ZOOM where possible.

Prior to practicing law, I owned a large printing and publishing company that I sold.

• Wrongful Death

• Zoom
• WebEx
• Open from 9-4 for telephone conferences.

• Credit Cards Accepted
  We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards.
• Contingent Fees
  We accept some probate litigation and wrongful death matters on a contingency basis.
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I charge $490 per hour. Associate attorneys in my firm charge between $250 -$300 per hour. We require a retainer agreement before we undertake any work.

Georgia

Since 1992

Owner

Robert W. Hughes & Associates, P.C.

2009 - Current

Robert W. Hughes & Associates, P.C. was formed on Janaury 1, 2009 after I hired an associate to work with me. I have worked from the same location since 1992 in a variety of partnerships

Owner

Hughes & Associates, P.C.

2002 - 2009

This was a professional corporation that ended in 2009.

Partner

Hughes & Kaplan

1995 - 2002

This was a general partnership that was dissolved when Mr. Kaplan accepted a position with a larger firm.

Partner

Hughes, Kaplan & Gravante

1992 - 1995

This was a general practice law firm that dissolved when Mr. Gravante accepted other employment.

Georgia State University College of Law

J.D (1992) | Law

1989 - 1992

Activities: President of the Student Bar Association 1992

Florida State University

B.S (1977) | Hotel and Restaurant Administration with a Minor in Finance

1975 - 1977

Activities: Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society

Darton College

A.A | Business Administration

1973 - 1975

Honors: Graduated cum laude

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2023

Peer Review Rated

Martindale-Hubbell

2022

AV Preeminent Rated

Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year

Atlanta Legal Aid Foundation- Gwinnett Chapter

2003

10 Year Award

State Bar of Georgia

2001

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Member

2014 - Current

Activities: This is an association devoted to improving the legal help offered to the elderly. You can access the website at www.NAELA.org.

Supreme Court of the United States

Admitted for Practice

2006 - Current

Georgia Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2005 - Current

Activities: GTLA is an association of lawyers dedicated to preserving citizens rights in the courts and is comprised mostly of plaintiff's lawyers.

Gwinnett County Bar Association-Probate Section

Member

2004 - Current

Activities: I am a member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the Gwinnett County Bar Association. We offer pro bono services once a quarter to persons seeking help through the Gwinnett County Probate Court.

Supreme Court of Georgia

Admited for Practice

1993 - Current

How to Use a Petition For Year's Support

Robert Hughes

October, 2009

Avoiding Trouble at the Intersection of Personal Injury and Probate, Clayton County Bar Assocation Meeting, Clayton County Bar GA

February 22, 2018

Clayton County Bar Association

I was honored to present to the Clayton County Bar Association my paper on Avoiding Trouble at the Intersection of Personal Injury and Probate. A copy of my paper is available upon request.

NAELA

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

2022

Q. Should I agree to grant all powers to my brother who we have chosen as the administrator of my mothers intestate estate?

October 11, 2024

A: Where you live is immaterial. Where the estate is being opened is what matters as that state's laws will govern the administration of the estate. Whether you should consent to granting powers, excusing reporting and not requiring a bond all comes down to trust. Is your brother going to do the right thing? If you are uncertain, do not consent to anything but his appointment. No expanded powers, full reporting and bonding are all protections the law gives all heirs from an administrator mishandling probate assets. If you have any doubt, do not agree to anything. If you have full confidence (such that you would give your brother all of your money and you have no doubt he will handle it properly), then you can agree to waive everything. ... Read More

Q. I'm making a personal loan to my brother for divorce, car, etc. I have and continue to provide financial help to him

June 2, 2024

A: A written loan document giving you security in all that he owns and filing that in the records department of your court should do it. Naming you as a beneficiary of his life insurance will do it if the life insurance stays in full force.

Q. Biological and step-parent dies with no will, does the step-child have rights to the step-parent's property in Georgia?

March 13, 2024

A: The simple answer is no. But, when parent died, child would be an heir to her natural parent's estate. Depending on facts of case, an equitable adoption might exist between step parent and step child that would allow for inheritance. You should see a probate lawyer about that possibility.

REGAL NISSAN, INC. v. STACEY SCOTT, AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANDREW REID SCOTT

Court of Appeals of Georgia

Milbourne v. Milbourne

Supreme Court of Georgia