Will and trust rules by state
How many witnesses a will needs, whether a handwritten (holographic) will is valid, and whether the state has adopted the Uniform Trust Code.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
| State | Witnesses | Handwritten will | Uniform Trust Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid unless witnessed like a regular will | Yes |
| Alaska From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | No |
| Arizona From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Arkansas From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if entirely handwritten and signed; proved by 3 witnesses to the handwriting | Yes |
| California From a statute-cited table | 2 (present at the same time) | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | No |
| Colorado From a statute-cited table | 2, or a notary's acknowledgment instead | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Connecticut From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid for a will made in Connecticut | Yes |
| Delaware From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | No |
| District of Columbia From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Florida From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Not valid | Yes |
| Georgia From a statute-cited table | 2 (age 14 or older) | Not valid unless witnessed like a regular will | No |
| Hawaii From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Idaho From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | No |
| Illinois From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Indiana From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Not valid unless witnessed like a regular will | No |
| Iowa From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Not valid | No |
| Kansas From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Kentucky From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Valid if wholly handwritten and signed | Yes |
| Louisiana From a statute-cited table | Notarial testament: a notary and 2 witnesses | Olographic testament valid if entirely handwritten, dated and signed | No |
| Maine From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Maryland From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid only for armed forces members signing outside the US (and only for a limited time) | Yes |
| Massachusetts From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Michigan From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if dated, and the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Minnesota From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Mississippi From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if wholly handwritten and signed | Yes |
| Missouri From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Montana From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Nebraska From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if dated, and the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Nevada From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if dated, and the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | No |
| New Hampshire From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| New Jersey From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| New Mexico From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Not valid | Yes |
| New York From a statute-cited table | 2 (within one 30-day period) | Valid only for some armed forces members and mariners, and only for a limited time | No (bills to adopt it have been introduced) |
| North Carolina From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if entirely handwritten and signed, and found among your valuable papers or left with someone for safekeeping | Yes |
| North Dakota From a statute-cited table | 2, or a notary's acknowledgment instead | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Ohio From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Oklahoma From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if entirely handwritten, dated and signed | Yes (Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, effective November 1, 2025) |
| Oregon From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Pennsylvania From a statute-cited table | None required to sign if you sign at the end; 2 witnesses prove it at probate unless self-proved | Valid (no witnesses needed if signed at the end) | Yes |
| Rhode Island From a statute-cited table | 2 (present at the same time) | Not valid | No |
| South Carolina From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid for a will made in South Carolina | Yes |
| South Dakota From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | No |
| Tennessee From a statute-cited table | 2 (signing in front of you and each other) | Valid if the signature and all material parts are handwritten; proved by 2 witnesses to the handwriting | Yes |
| Texas From a statute-cited table | 2 (age 14 or older) | Valid if wholly handwritten and signed | No |
| Utah From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if the signature and material parts are in your handwriting | Yes |
| Vermont From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid for a will made in Vermont | Yes |
| Virginia From a statute-cited table | 2 (present at the same time) | Valid if wholly handwritten and signed; proved by 2 witnesses to the handwriting | Yes |
| Washington From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | No |
| West Virginia From a statute-cited table | 2 (present at the same time) | Valid if wholly handwritten and signed | Yes |
| Wisconsin From a statute-cited table | 2 | Not valid | Yes |
| Wyoming From a statute-cited table | 2 | Valid if entirely handwritten and signed | Yes |
How we checked this
Witness and handwritten-will rules come from a statute-cited 2026 survey and were compared with a second estate planning chart. Uniform Trust Code adoption follows the Uniform Law Commission's count of 36 states and DC. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site From a statute-cited table one detailed source Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.