---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-3. Determination whether instrument is will.
collection: code
id: 53-4-3
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-3 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-3
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-3.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-3/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t52-t53-(v40)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=d23ba203_0#page=334
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-2.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-4.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES / WILLS / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-4-3. Determination whether instrument is will.

No particular form is necessary to constitute a will. To determine whether an instrument is a will, the test is the intention of the maker to be gathered from the whole instrument, read in light of the surrounding circumstances. If the intention is to convey a present interest, though the possession is postponed until after death, the instrument is not a will. If the intention is to convey an interest accruing and having effect only at death, the instrument is a will.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-4-3, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.