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Judge Hayward to sign order to reopen discovery after estate counsel appears
Summary
At a July 1 civil calendar in Clayton County State Court 304, Judge Tammy Long Hayward confirmed that counsel for the decedent's estate had appeared and told parties she would sign an order reopening discovery once the agreed motion was submitted, allowing litigation to resume.
Judge Tammy Long Hayward convened the 1 p.m. civil calendar on July 1, 2026, to confirm representation for the estate of the decedent and to set procedural steps for resuming litigation.
Hayward opened the hearing by identifying the matter and asking who would represent the estate. Frank Giuliani told the court, "I believe I just signed an entry of appearance," and said he represented Progressive. Brian Williams also introduced himself as counsel: "I'm also representing the estate. My name is Brian Williams." Counsel said they would prepare a motion to reopen discovery so the case could proceed.
The judge told the parties that if they submitted a proposed order reopening discovery she would sign it. "If you submit it, I'll go ahead and sign it," Hayward said, directing counsel to circulate their draft to opposing counsel for review. The court clarified that once discovery is reopened, the parties could proceed to exchange information necessary to prepare the case for settlement or trial.
The hearing included a brief technical interruption when the judge's video froze; the proceeding resumed without substantive delay. Counsel and the court discussed the role of the probate-appointed administrator, Miss Wingfield. The judge and counsel agreed she serves in the administrative probate role to inventory and protect estate assets and is not the party's litigation counsel when insurance or other attorneys enter appearances.
A late-arriving counsel asked whether an entry of appearance was sufficient or whether an answer needed to be filed; the participants confirmed that an answer had been filed in the case and were reminded that parties with meaningful defenses should place them on the record. Mr. Towns spoke briefly and stated he had "Nothing further to it," and the court invited the parties to request a Zoom conference if they needed informal guidance.
The court closed the matter, encouraging the parties to circulate the agreed motion and draft order promptly so the judge could sign it and litigation could move forward. The session ended without a contested motion or reported vote; next steps are for counsel to file the agreed motion to reopen discovery and for the court to enter the order upon submission.
