Is an unnotarized Will valid in Georgia?
What else should you be looking for on the signature page?
In this article we will answer if an unnotarized Will is valid in Georgia and more.
My name is Erik Broel & I am the founder & CEO of Georgia Probate Law Group.
At our firm we help families who have lost a loved one navigate the complex and confusing legal process so they can make sure the estate is handled properly and their loved one’s memory is honored.
Everything discussed in this article is for general information and is not legal advice. For specific information about your situation, please go to GPLG.com to request a complimentary consultation.
Three Important Signatures When Determining if an Unnotarized Will is Valid in Georgia
When you are reviewing the signature page of an unnotarized Will, there are two key items you should be looking for.
- The Will must be signed by the Deceased.
- The Will must also be signed by two witnesses.
It is important to note that Georgia does not require that a Will be notarized. So yes, an unnotarized will is valid in Georgia.
If the Will was written by an attorney, you will also find a second document called a Self Proving Affidavit attached to the Will.
The Self Proving Affidavit does have to be notarized to be valid.
The Self Proving affidavit will make the Will easier to Probate because it can eliminate some procedures that would normally be required.
Remember that not having a Self Proving Affidavit will not make the Will invalid, it will just add some additional steps you must take to open the Estate.
Next Steps:
Everything discussed in this article is for general information and is not legal advice.
If you are in a situation where you’re trying to settle an estate, I recommend you reach out to our office at (770) 920-6030 to set up a consultation.
If you’re not quite ready for a consultation, be sure to download our Georgia Probate Handbook so you know how the estate is supposed to be handled.
