Only if you and two (2) witnesses sign your GA Advance Directive will it be legally binding. The following qualifications are necessary for witnesses to testify:
- Not less than 18 years old
- Not a relative or someone who stands to inherit from the individual whose Living Will is being made.
- NOT be liable for the person's future medical expenses if you create a Living Will for them.
- Cannot be held liable for the Living Will's subject's medical expenses.
- Neither of the two witnesses may be a medical professional or an employee of the facility where the person creating the Living Will is currently receiving treatment.
- A second signature is required on a Living Will if it is drafted while the patient is in a hospital or nursing home receiving specialized care. Either the skilled nursing facility's medical director or a physician on staff who is not directly involved in the patient's treatment must serve as the third witness. If at a hospital, it must be the administrative head of the facility or a physician on staff who is not directly involved in the care of the patient.
Georgia Advance Directive Form
Other resources for Georgia:
Death Certificates
Click here to download an application for a certified Georgia death certificate.
Digital Estate Planning Laws
Law: SB 301 Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
Description: This law authorizes a decedent’s personal representative or trustee to access and manage digital assets and electronic communications. [Read the full Bill]
Status: Effective July 1, 2018
Death With Dignity Legislation (a.k.a. Aid-In-Dying or Physician-Assisted Death)
- Georgia has no legislation
Organ Donation Registries
Georgia Organ Donation registry official link.
POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) Form
Download the POLST form for Georgia residents.
Probate Laws
Estate And Inheritance Tax Rate
- Georgia has no estate tax or inheritance tax