---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-62. Testamentary gift to charity.
collection: code
id: 53-4-62
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-4-62 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-62
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-62.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-4-62/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=439
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. § 53-4-62. Testamentary gift to charity.

If a testamentary gift to a charity cannot be executed in the exact manner provided by the testator, the superior court may exercise equitable powers in such a way as will as nearly as possible effectuate the intention of the testator.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-4-62, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing the validity of charitable gifts in Georgia, see 1 Ga. B.J. 16 (1939). For article, ‘‘The Rule Against Perpetuities as Applied to Georgia Wills and Trusts,’’ see 16 Ga. L. Rev. 235 (1982). For article, ‘‘Private Trusts for the Provision of Private Goods,’’ see 37 Emory L.J. 295 (1988).

For note on discriminatory charitable trusts in Georgia, with regard to application of the cy pres doctrine, in light of Evans v. Newton, 382 U.S. 296, 86 S. Ct. 486, 15 L. Ed. 2d 373 (1966), see 6 Ga. St. B.J. 428 (1970).

For comment on Evans v. Abney, 396 U.S. 435, 90 S. Ct. 628, 24 L. Ed. 2d 634 (1970), see 22 Mercer L. Rev. 493 (1971). For comment on Creech v. Scottish Rite Hosp. for Crippled Children, 211 Ga. 195, 84 S.E.2d 563 (1954), see 17 Ga. B.J. 512 (1955). For comment on Trammell v. Elliott, 230 Ga. 841, 199 S.E.2d 194 (1973), see 10 Ga. St. B.J. 502 (1974).