---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-24. Unavailability of subscribing witnesses.
collection: code
id: 53-5-24
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-24 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-24
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-24.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-24/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=507
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/53-5-23.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-25.md
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 / WITNESSES; SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT; EXPENSES
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-5-24. Unavailability of subscribing witnesses.

When it appears that a will cannot be proved as otherwise provided by law because at the time the will is offered for probate one or more of the subscribing witnesses to the will is dead or mentally or physically incapable of testifying or otherwise inaccessible, the court may admit the will to probate in common or solemn form upon the testimony in person or by affidavit or by deposition of at least two credible disinterested witnesses that the signature to the will is that of the individual whose will it purports to be or upon other sufficient proof of such signature. This Code section shall not preclude the court, in its discretion, from requiring, in addition, the testimony in person or by deposition of any available subscribing witness or proof of such other pertinent facts and circumstances as the court may deem necessary to admit the will to probate.

## History

Code 1981, § 53-5-24, enacted by Ga. L. 1996, p. 504, § 10.