What does Georgia's slayer statute do regarding beneficiaries?

The correct answer highlights that Georgia's slayer statute disqualifies individuals who intentionally cause the death of the decedent from inheriting any benefits from the decedent's estate. This statute is based on the principle of "unjust enrichment," which prevents a person from profiting from their wrongful act of causing another person's death. In essence, if a person kills someone, they are legally prevented from benefiting from that individual's estate, thereby upholding the moral and legal principle that one should not benefit from their own wrongdoing.

The slayer statute specifically targets those individuals who commit homicide against the decedent, ensuring they do not receive any portion of the estate that would have otherwise been passed on to them through will or intestate succession. This serves to maintain the integrity and fairness of the distribution of the decedent's assets.

Understanding the context of the statute is crucial; it does not promote equal distributions among all beneficiaries or treat all beneficiaries the same, as it specifically excludes those who engage in wrongful acts. Additionally, the statute does not address self-defense or conditions for allowable acts of violence; it strictly applies to acts of homicide.