---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-31. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 53-4-31
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-31 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-31
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-31.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-31/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=375
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/53-4-30.md
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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 / JOINT OR MUTUAL WILLS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-4-31. Definitions.

(a) A joint will is one will signed by two or more testators that deals with the distribution of the property of each testator. A joint will may be probated as each testator’s will.

(b) Mutual wills are separate wills of two or more testators that make reciprocal dispositions of each testator’s property.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-4-31, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.

## Law Reviews

For article advocating restructuring or repeal of former Code 1933, § 113-104, see 11 Ga. L. Rev. 297 (1977). For annual survey of wills, trusts, guardianships, and fiduciary administration, see 58 Mercer L. Rev. 423 (2006).

For comment on Webb v. Smith, 220 Ga. 809, 141 S.E.2d 899 (1965), see 2 Ga. St. B.J. 258 (1965).