---
title: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-5. Duty to file will.
collection: code
id: 53-5-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 53-5-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-5/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=477
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/53-5-4.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/53-5-6.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 / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 53-5-5. Duty to file will.

A person having possession of a will shall file it with reasonable promptness with the probate court of the county having jurisdiction. The probate court may attach for contempt and may fine and imprison a person withholding a will until the will is delivered.

## History

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