A Last Will and Testament is one of the most important legal documents a person can create during his or her lifetime. If a person dies without a Will they are said to have died “intestate” and state laws will determine how and to whom the person’s assets will be distributed.

Low-cost do-it-yourself (D.I.Y.) Georgia wills are possible in some simple cases and can be found on our companion site, FindLaw.com.

If a person dies without a Will the beneficiaries can not dispute the court’s distribution of that person’s estate under the intestacy laws. Even if that person expressed different wishes verbally during their lifetime the statutes control the distribution. With a valid Will, a person can legally determine how their property will be distributed… and to whom.

A Will must meet the legal requirements set forth by the state in order for it to be valid. Most states will also accept a Will that was executed in another state if the document is a valid Will under that state’s law. The general requirements for a valid Will are usually as follows: (a) the document must be written (meaning typed or printed), (b) signed by the person making the Will (usually called the “testator” or “testatrix”, and (c) signed by two witnesses who were present to witness the execution of the document by the maker and who also witnessed each other sign the document.

In Georgia, the laws regarding the valid execution and witnessing of a Will are set forth in the Code of Georgia; Title 53 Wills, Trusts, and Administration of Estates; Chapter 4 Wills; Article 2 Testamentary Capacity, Section 10; and, Article 3 Execution and Attestation, Sections 20 & 22.

In Georgia, any person fourteen (14) or more years of age who is of sound mind may make a will. (See: Section 53-4-10) “Sound mind” generally means someone who has not been deemed incompetent in a prior legal proceeding.

A Will must be in writing, signed by the testator and by two witnesses. The testator may sign by their mark or by any other name intended to authenticate the document as the testator’s Will. If the testator cannot physically sign his name he may direct another party to do so. This party may not be one of the witnesses. Each witness must sign the Will in the testator’s presence. (See: Section 53-4-20)

In Georgia, any person who is competent and age fourteen (14) or over may witness a Will. If a witness is also a beneficiary under the Will, the witness may be competent to attest to the Will’s authenticity, but the gift to the witness will be void unless there are at least two disinterested witnesses to the will. (See: Section 53-4-23)

Currently, Georgia does not allow a Will to be made self-proven.