HB 899 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Property; transfer-on-death deeds; modify certain provisions

Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 17 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to transfer-on-death deeds, so as to modify certain provisions regarding transfer-on-death deeds; to provide for a definition; to provide for the acceptance of a real estate transfer; to provide for revocation; to provide for limitations; to provide for curing defects; to amend Chapter 3 of Title 53 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to year's support, so as to provide for precedence of transfer-on-death deeds; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 2, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC 48 1618/a → LC 49 2771S/hs · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten as a substitute version, changing its primary focus from transfer-on-death deeds to include certified copies of vital records access for grantee beneficiaries. The original bill focused solely on transfer-on-death deeds, while the new version adds provisions allowing designated beneficiaries to access vital records and modifies how transfer-on-death deeds operate, including restrictions on creating trusts and attorney-in-fact authority.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely addressing transfer-on-death deeds to also include provisions about certified copies of vital records, making it applicable to both estate planning and vital record access scenarios.

SCOPE

Added provisions allowing grantee beneficiaries designated in transfer-on-death deeds to access certified copies of vital records from the Office of Vital Records.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed provisions allowing attorneys-in-fact to execute transfer-on-death deeds, now requiring record owners to execute them personally.

REQUIREMENT

Restructured transfer-on-death deed requirements to prohibit creating express trusts or beneficial interests in real property through these deeds.

TIMELINE

Maintained the nine-month deadline for recording beneficiary affidavits after the record owner's death, with grandfather provisions for deaths occurring before July 1, 2024.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Introduced

House Hopper

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors