Do holographic wills require a witness?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Only in some states
• D. Only if notary is present

Answer: (A)

Holographic wills are handwritten by the person making the will and typically rely on the testator’s own handwriting and signature rather than formal signing procedures with witnesses. Because the document is self-authenticated by the testator’s writing, many jurisdictions do not require a witness for it to be valid. The key idea is that the handwritten nature of the will serves as proof of testamentary intent, which reduces or eliminates the need for witness testimony that formal, attested wills require. That said, rules vary by state, so some places may have different requirements, and notarization doesn’t substitute for witnesses where they’re required. In short, the general rule is that a holographic will does not require a witness.