Alabama Will and Trust Laws: Two Witnesses, Self-Proving (2026)
An Alabama will needs two witnesses, even a handwritten one signed in Alabama. No notary is required; one is used for the optional self-proving affidavit.
23 min read
Wills and Trusts
52 articles
Alaska Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
An Alaska will needs two witnesses, but a will whose signature and material portions are handwritten is valid without them. Trusts follow AS 13.36.
19 min read
Arizona Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, E-Wills, Holographic (2026)
An Arizona will needs two witnesses. For wills signed on or after Oct. 1, 2019, a beneficiary may not witness unless self-proved. Handwritten and e-wills are allowed.
22 min read
Arkansas Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
An Arkansas will needs the testator's signature at the end and two witnesses 18 or older. A wholly handwritten will is proved by three handwriting witnesses.
23 min read
California Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A California will needs 2 witnesses present at the same time, not a notary. A handwritten will can be valid if the signature and key terms are in the testator's hand.
23 min read
Colorado Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses or Notary, E-Wills (2026)
A Colorado will needs two witnesses or a notarial acknowledgment. Handwritten and electronic wills are valid, and courts can excuse some signing defects.
24 min read
Connecticut Will and Trust Laws: Witness Rules, Living Trusts (2026)
A Connecticut will needs two witnesses who sign in the testator's presence. Unwitnessed handwritten wills are not valid, and a gift to a witness can be void.
22 min read
D.C. Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Electronic Wills (2026)
A D.C. paper will needs two credible witnesses, and a gift to a witness is void beyond the intestate share. Electronic wills have been allowed since 2023.
25 min read
Delaware Will and Trust Laws: Two Witnesses, Trust Signing Rule (2026)
A Delaware will must be signed and attested by two credible witnesses or it is void. Trusts executed since 2001 have their own witness rule under 12 Del. C. 3545.
28 min read
Florida Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Electronic Wills (2026)
A Florida will needs two witnesses who sign in front of the testator and each other. Handwritten wills are no exception; electronic wills have strict remote rules.
28 min read
Georgia Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Self-Proving, Trusts (2026)
A Georgia will needs two witnesses age 14 or older who sign in the testator's presence. A Georgia trust is revocable only if the settlor expressly reserves it.
22 min read
Hawaii Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Hawaii will needs two witnesses, or the signature and material portions in the testator's handwriting. Hawaii also has a harmless-error rule.
27 min read
Idaho Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
An Idaho will needs two witnesses, but a will with a handwritten signature and material provisions is valid without them. Idaho has no Uniform Trust Code.
27 min read
Illinois Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, E-Wills, Trusts (2026)
An Illinois will needs 2 credible witnesses but no notary, even if handwritten in Illinois. Electronic and remote-witnessed wills are allowed under a 2021 act.
23 min read
Indiana Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Electronic Wills (2026)
An Indiana will needs two witnesses who sign in front of the testator and each other. Remote signing needs a supervising attorney or directed paralegal.
27 min read
Iowa Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Remote Signing (2026)
An Iowa will must be declared by the testator and signed by two witnesses, who since July 1, 2023 may be present electronically. Handwritten wills need witnesses.
24 min read
Kansas Will and Trust Laws: Two Witnesses, No Holographic Wills (2026)
A Kansas will must be in writing, signed at the end and attested by two competent witnesses. Handwritten wills get no exception; notarizing only self-proves.
26 min read
Kentucky Will and Trust Laws: Handwritten Wills, E-Wills (2026)
A Kentucky will needs two witnesses who sign before the testator and each other, unless wholly handwritten. E-wills count for deaths from July 15, 2026.
25 min read
Louisiana Will and Trust Laws: Olographic and Notarial Testaments (2026)
Louisiana testaments are olographic (handwritten, dated, signed) or notarial (notary and two witnesses). Living trusts are irrevocable unless the right is reserved.
22 min read
Maine Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Maine will needs two witnesses who sign within a reasonable time, or a signature and material portions in the testator's handwriting. No notary is required.
21 min read
Maryland Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Remote Wills (2026)
A Maryland will needs two or more credible witnesses in the testator's physical presence. Remote witnessing is allowed only under the conditions of 4-102(c) or (d).
24 min read
Massachusetts Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, No-Contest (2026)
A Massachusetts will needs two witnesses and has no holographic-will section. A gift to a witness can be void, and no-contest clauses in wills are enforceable.
23 min read
Michigan Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Michigan will needs two witnesses. A dated will whose signature and material portions are handwritten is valid without them, and harmless error applies.
28 min read
Minnesota Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Remote Signing (2026)
A Minnesota will needs two witnesses, who may be present by live audio-video from within a state. A trust is revocable only if its terms expressly say so.
23 min read
Mississippi Will and Trust Laws: Holographic Wills, Witnesses (2026)
A Mississippi will needs two credible witnesses unless it is wholly written and signed by the testator. Oral wills are allowed only in narrow last-sickness cases.
20 min read
Missouri Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Electronic Wills (2026)
A Missouri will needs two witnesses who sign in the testator's presence. Since August 28, 2025, an electronic will's witnesses may sign by live audio-video.
24 min read
Montana Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Montana will needs at least two witnesses, but a will whose signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting is valid without them.
24 min read
Nebraska Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Nebraska will needs two witnesses to the signing or acknowledgment. Holographic wills need a handwritten signature and material provisions, plus a date rule.
26 min read
Nevada Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic and E-Wills (2026)
A Nevada will needs two witnesses who sign in the testator's presence. Holographic and electronic wills are valid, and trusts are irrevocable unless reserved.
28 min read
New Hampshire Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Remote Signing (2026)
A New Hampshire will, even a handwritten one, needs two or more credible witnesses. Remote witnessing requires the drafting NH attorney or supervised staff.
27 min read
New Jersey Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Handwritten Wills (2026)
A New Jersey will needs two witnesses, but a will with the signature and material portions in the testator's handwriting is valid without them.
26 min read
New Mexico Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A New Mexico will needs two witnesses who sign in the presence of the testator and each other. Holographic wills are excluded, and there is no elective share.
25 min read
New York Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Lifetime Trusts (2026)
A New York will needs two witnesses who sign within one 30-day period. A living trust must be acknowledged or witnessed and is irrevocable unless it says otherwise.
27 min read
North Carolina Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A North Carolina will needs two witnesses who sign in the testator's presence. A will entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed needs none.
30 min read
North Dakota Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses or Notary, E-Wills (2026)
A North Dakota will needs two witnesses or a notary acknowledgment. Handwritten wills are valid, and electronic wills are valid for deaths after July 31, 2021.
28 min read
Ohio Will and Trust Laws: Two Witnesses, No Self-Proving (2026)
An Ohio will needs two adult witnesses in the testator's conscious presence, which excludes video. Ohio has no self-proving affidavit or holographic exception.
25 min read
Oklahoma Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic, E-Wills (2026)
An Oklahoma will needs two witnesses who hear the testator declare it. Dated, signed handwritten wills need none, and e-wills count for deaths since Nov. 2024.
21 min read
Oregon Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Harmless Error, Trusts (2026)
An Oregon will needs two witnesses and no notary. Oregon has no holographic or electronic wills, but ORS 112.238 can save a signed will that misses a formality.
20 min read
Pennsylvania Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Probate Proof (2026)
A Pennsylvania will must be in writing and signed at the end. Witnesses sign only for a mark or proxy signature; two prove it at probate unless self-proved.
21 min read
Rhode Island Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Signing Rules (2026)
A Rhode Island will needs two or more witnesses present together, and a gift to a witness is void. There are no holographic, electronic or harmless-error rules.
15 min read
South Carolina Will and Trust Laws: Two Witnesses, Self-Proving (2026)
A South Carolina will needs a writing, a signature and two witnesses; no notary unless self-proved. Trusts made since 2006 are revocable unless stated.
24 min read
South Dakota Will and Trust Laws: Handwritten Wills, Video Witnesses
South Dakota accepts handwritten wills, and since 2022 the two witnesses (not a proxy signer) may attend by video. Trusts are irrevocable unless revocation is reserved.
24 min read
Tennessee Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Tennessee will needs two witnesses who sign in front of the testator and each other. Handwritten wills need no witnesses but two must prove the handwriting.
24 min read
Texas Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Texas will needs 2 credible witnesses at least 14 years old, and no notary. A will written wholly in the testator's handwriting needs no witnesses.
20 min read
Utah Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic and E-Wills (2026)
Utah wills need two witnesses, or a signature and material portions in the testator's handwriting. Electronic wills may be witnessed in electronic presence.
21 min read
Vermont Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Self-Proved Wills (2026)
A Vermont will needs two or more credible witnesses who sign in the presence of the testator and each other. Chapter 1 sets no handwritten-will rule.
18 min read
Virginia Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Virginia will needs two witnesses present at the same time, unless it is wholly in the testator's handwriting and two disinterested witnesses prove it.
20 min read
Washington Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, E-Wills, Trusts (2026)
A Washington will needs two witnesses in the testator's presence or (since 2022) electronic presence. A trust is revocable only if its terms expressly say so.
24 min read
West Virginia Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A West Virginia will needs two witnesses present at the same time unless wholly handwritten. Trusts are revocable by default for instruments from July 1, 2011.
20 min read
Wills and Trusts Laws by State: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
Will and living trust rules in all 50 states and D.C.: witnesses, handwritten and electronic wills, notaries, divorce, and where trusts are irrevocable by default.
40 min read
Wisconsin Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Remote Witnessing (2026)
A Wisconsin will needs two witnesses in the testator's conscious presence. Since March 2024, remote witnessing is allowed only with a supervising attorney.
23 min read
Wyoming Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Wyoming will needs two witnesses, who may appear by video since July 1, 2023, unless it is entirely handwritten and signed. Notarization is optional.
19 min read