---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-16. Conclusiveness; persons protected if set aside.
collection: code
id: 53-5-16
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-16 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-16
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-16.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-16/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=488
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/53-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-15.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 / PROBATE / COMMON FORM
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-5-16. Conclusiveness; persons protected if set aside.

(a) The probate of a will in common form is not conclusive upon anyone interested in the estate adversely to the will except as provided in Code Section 53-5-19.

(b) If set aside, probate of a will in common form does not protect the executor in any acts beyond the executor’s normal duties of collecting and preserving assets of the estate and paying the debts of the estate. Bona fide purchasers without notice under legally made sales from the executor will be protected.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-5-16, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.

## Law Reviews

For article discussing methods of summary distribution and settlement of decedent’s estate, see 6 Ga. L. Rev. 74 (1971).