---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-58. Failure to provide for living child believed dead.
collection: code
id: 53-4-58
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-58 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-58
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-58.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-58/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=429
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.
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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 / CONSTRUCTION OF WILL; TESTAMENTARY GIFTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-4-58. Failure to provide for living child believed dead.

If at the time of execution of the will the testator fails to provide in the will for a living child of the testator solely because the testator believes the child to be dead, the child is entitled to receive a share in the estate as follows:

(1) If the testator had no other child living at the time the will was executed, an omitted child receives a share equal in value to that which the child would have received had the testator died intestate but only to the extent that any provision in the will to or for the benefit of the surviving parent of the omitted child is not thereby reduced; or

(2) If the will contains testamentary gifts to one or more other children of the testator, an omitted child is entitled to receive the share of the estate that the child would have received had the testator included all omitted children with the children to whom testamentary gifts were made under the will and had given an equal share to each child. To the extent feasible, the interest granted an omitted child must be of the same character, whether legal or equitable, present or future, as that left to the testator’s other children under the will. In satisfying the share for the omitted child, the shares of the other children shall abate ratably, preserving to the maximum extent possible the testamentary plan adopted by the testator.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-4-58, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing the pretermitted heir, see 10 Ga. L. Rev. 447 (1976). For article advocating repeal of this Code section, or amendment to eliminate relief for all mistakes but belief in the existence of an heir, see 11 Ga. L. Rev. 297 (1977).

For note, ‘‘Wills — Mistake of Fact as to the Existence or Conduct of an Heir,’’ see 1 Ga. St. B.J. 543 (1965).