Originally published: September 24, 2014 | Last updated: June 16, 2025
“I heard that if I write my own Will out in my own handwriting, I do not need to have it witnessed. Is this true?”
States allow holographic Wills to become valid documents when the writer has personally handwritten every word in the Will.
Which States Require the Entire Will to Be Handwritten?
The following 6 states require the entire Will to be handwritten in order for it to be a valid holographic Will:
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Which States Require Only the “Material Portions” to Be Handwritten?
These 13 states accept holographic Wills where only the material portions (the key terms and provisions) are in the testator’s handwriting:
- Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming
Which States Accept Holographic Wills Written in Another Jurisdiction?
These 4 states will accept a holographic Will if it was written in a state or jurisdiction that permits them:
- Connecticut, Hawaii, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin
Which States Accept Holographic Wills Only Under Special Circumstances?
Several states have unique rules for accepting holographic Wills:
| State | Conditions for Acceptance |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | Three witnesses must testify under oath that the Will is in the testator’s handwriting |
| Texas & Tennessee | Two witnesses must testify to the handwriting |
| California | Only accepted if the holographic Will is dated |
| New York & Maryland | Only accepted for members of the Armed Forces, and only for 1 year from the date they are made |
Which States Do Not Accept Holographic Wills?
The following 19 states do not accept holographic Wills under any circumstances:
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
The probate court will probably reject your handwritten Will because you reside in any of these states.
Why Should You Avoid a Holographic Will?
The different state laws which exist throughout America should prevent any person from attempting to create their Will by writing it down.
- You will find it challenging to create a properly drafted Will because a blank piece of paper lacks all the necessary legal clauses.
- The appearance of a holographic Will fails to meet authentic document standards.
- The process of contesting a Will becomes more straightforward when someone creates the Will by hand without any official structure.
- The document becomes useless when you relocate to a state which refuses to accept holographic Wills.
- A Will drafted through USLegalWills.com usually spans 6-8 pages while including more than 20 clauses.
How Can I Create a Proper Will Instead?
You should avoid making holographic Wills because you need to create a professional Will right now.
Related reading:
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets, and has contributed to articles in The New York Times, NY Metro Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and other leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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