---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-17. Procedure.
collection: code
id: 53-5-17
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-17 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-17
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-17.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-17/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=490
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/53-5-16.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. § 53-5-17. Procedure.

(a) A will may be proved in common form upon the testimony of a single subscribing witness and without service or notice to anyone. If the will is self-proved, compliance with signature requirements for execution is presumed and other requirements for execution are presumed without the testimony of any subscribing witness.

(b) The petition to probate a will in common form shall set forth the same information required in a petition to probate a will in solemn form. The petition shall conclude with a prayer for the issuance of letters testamentary.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-5-17, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10; Ga. L. 2020, p. 377, § 1-19/HB 865.

The 2020 amendment, effective January 1, 2021, inserted ‘‘service or’’ in the first sentence in subsection (a).