Free US Law Dictionary

Holographic Will

A holographic will is a will that is entirely handwritten and signed by the testator (the person who makes the will). Approximately half the states recognize holographic wills and those that do require the will to meet certain requirements. Generally, the minimal requirements that must be met for a holographic will to be recognized are:

• Proof that the testator actually wrote the will
• Proof that the testator had the mental capacity to write the will
• The will must contain the testator's wish to disburse personal property to beneficiaries