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Law of Wills, 2016A

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Chapter Twelve: Non-Attested <strong>Wills</strong><br />

12.1 Introduction<br />

A large number <strong>of</strong> people die intestate because they do not take the time to execute a will. In<br />

Chapter Eleven, we discussed the requirements necessary to execute a validly attested will. It is<br />

thought that the required formalities deter persons from executing wills. Some jurisdictions permit<br />

people to have less formal wills. These wills do not have to be witnessed and provide more<br />

convenient options for persons who may be intimidated by the traditional wills process. The<br />

majority <strong>of</strong> this chapter consists <strong>of</strong> an examination <strong>of</strong> the legal issues that occur when a person seeks<br />

to dispose <strong>of</strong> his or her property by using a holographic will. This chapter also includes a brief<br />

discussion <strong>of</strong> nuncupative (oral) wills.<br />

12.2 Holographic Will<br />

Uniform Probate Code § 2-502. Execution; Witnessed or Notarized <strong>Wills</strong>; Holographic<br />

<strong>Wills</strong>.<br />

(b) [Holographic <strong>Wills</strong>.] A will that does not comply with subsection (a) is valid as a holographic<br />

will, whether or not witnessed, if the signature and material portions <strong>of</strong> the document are in the<br />

testator’s handwriting.<br />

(c) [Extrinsic Evidence.] Intent that a document constitute the testator’s will can be established by<br />

extrinsic evidence, including, for holographic wills, portions <strong>of</strong> the document that are not in the<br />

testator’s handwriting.<br />

A holographic will is a will that is handwritten. In order to be valid, the will must be written<br />

in the testator’s handwriting and it must contain the testator’s signature. The entire will does not<br />

have to be in the testator’s handwriting; however, the material portions, including those parts<br />

showing testamentary intent, must be in the testator’s handwriting. About half <strong>of</strong> the states<br />

recognize holographic wills. The challenges to these types <strong>of</strong> wills usually focus upon the validity <strong>of</strong><br />

the testator’s signature and the inclusion <strong>of</strong> information in the will that is not in the testator’s<br />

handwriting. Internet sites like LegalZoom have pre-printed will forms that testator’s can fill out. If<br />

these wills are not properly witnessed, they may be submitted to probate as holographic wills.<br />

Therefore, courts have to determine whether or not those types <strong>of</strong> wills satisfy the requirements<br />

necessary to be valid holographic wills.<br />

12.2.1 Testamentary Intent<br />

A will speaks at death, so the testator must intend for the gift to only take effect after he or<br />

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