Holographic Will States: Where Handwritten Wills Are Legal

A holographic will is a will written entirely in the testator's own handwriting and signed without witnesses. It is the simplest form of will — and one of the riskiest.

States that accept holographic wills Roughly half of U.S. states accept holographic wills, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky (limited), Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. See the [full state-by-state breakdown](/state-requirements).

What makes a handwritten will valid - Material provisions in the testator's own handwriting - Signed by the testator - Most states require a clear date - Must reflect testamentary intent

Why we don't recommend them - Far more likely to be contested - Probate courts scrutinize them aggressively - The cost of a contested holographic will dwarfs the cost of doing it right