This case is before us for the second time to determine whether the probate court erred in removing Stacey Hatchett as the executrix of the estate of Alma J. Zeigler. In the first case, we reversed the probate court’s removal of Hatchett as executrix, finding that Hatchett had not received the notice required by OCGA § 53-7-55.1 Following appropriate notice and a hearing on the petition to remove Hatchett as executrix, the probate court once again issued an order removing Hatchett as executrix. Hatchett appeals, alleging the probate court erred in removing her as the executrix and erred in ordering her to post a supersedeas bond in the amount of $95,500. We find no error and affirm the probate court’s order. 1. Hatchett first contends the probate court erred in removing her as executrix. The relevant facts show that Zeigler died in June 2001, and Hatchett, her granddaughter and a resident of Illinois, was named executrix in her will. The petition to probate the will was filed on July 20, 2001, and letters testamentary were issued to Hatchett on January 10, 2002. Item six of the will devised improved real estate in Savannah, Georgia to Rita Williams. Following remand of the first case before us, Williams filed a verified petition alleging that Hatchett was not fulfilling her fiduciary duties and praying for a rule nisi directing the executrix to appear to show cause why the relief prayed for should not be granted. A non-verified answer was filed by Fred Clark, Hatchett’s attorney. Subsequently, Hatchett requested and received a two month continuance because she was teaching and attending graduate school and could not “currently commit the time to this hearing.”
At the hearing on August 11, 2003, Hatchett admitted that she did not make an inventory of the assets of the household furniture or furnishings. She testified that Zeigler’s adopted son had taken all appliances and household furnishings out of the residence and placed them in storage. However, she did not know the location of this property and only knew that the adopted son lived somewhere in Florida. Hatchett further admitted that she took no steps to recover a diamond cluster ring which was on Alma Zeigler’s finger at the time of her death, and had taken no steps to take possession of the van owned by Zeigler at the time of her death. Hatchett also acknowledged that she had not been in Savannah, Georgia to see about the assets of the estate since she filed the petition to probate Zeigler’s will in July, 2001.
