This chart highlights the state laws related to estate planning and how to create a valid will, including the type of wills allowed in your state (statutory, written, oral), the number of witnesses required, whether you need a notary, and more. Check back often, as this chart is updated frequently.
For more information, see our Estate Planning Materials & Resources, and our State-Specific Estate Planning Toolkit.
| State | Written/Oral/ Statutory | Number of Witnesses Required | Self Proving Affidavit Provision? | Notarization Required for Self-Proving | Probate Process: UPC/Non-UPC | Notes | Has Statutory Will Form | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2022/title-43/chapter-8/article-7/division-1/section-43-8-132/ | Non-UPC | ||||
| ALASKA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic will, which doesn't require witnesses) | Yes | Yes | https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13.12.504 | UPC | ||||
| ARIZONA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic will, which doesn't require witnesses) | Yes | Yes | https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/14/02504.htm | UPC | ||||
| ARKANSAS | Written | 2 (But allows holographic will, which doesn't require witnesses) | Yes | Yes | https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=9487ee0f-b406-41bb-950a-7121a70456ff&pdistocdocslideraccess=true&config=00JAA2ZjZiM2VhNS0wNTVlLTQ3NzUtYjQzYy0yYWZmODJiODRmMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2fXiYCnsel0plIgqpYkw9PK&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fstatutes-legislation%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A4WVS-8DK0-R03K-K2BK-00008-00&pdcomponentid=234171&pdtocnodeidentifier=ABCAADAACAAH&ecomp=g2vckkk&prid=ed7ca6f6-baf0-47b9-a885-e543ca91205a | Non-UPC | Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | |||
| CALIFORNIA | Written/Statutory (California Probate Code, Part 1, Chapter 6) | 2 (But allows holographic will, which doesn't require witnesses) | Yes | No | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PROB§ionNum=8220. | Non-UPC | Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | x | http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/CAStatutoryWillForm_ab_1986_bill_20100715_chaptered.pdf | |
| COLORADO | Written | 2 (But allows holographic will) | Yes | Yes | https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-15-probate-trusts-and-fiduciaries/co-rev-st-sect-15-11-504.html | UPC | Can also have notary public authorize without witnesses | C.R.S.A. § 15-11-502; https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/2017/title-15/colorado-probate-code/article-11/part-5/section-15-11-502/ | ||
| CONNECTICUT | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_802b.htm#sec_45a-285 | Non-UPC | Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | |||
| DELAWARE | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/c013/index.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| *DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | Written | 2 | Yes (electronic only) | Yes | https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-908 | Non-UPC | Self proving is only available for electronic wills | https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/18-908 | ||
| FLORIDA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/Sections/0732.503.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| GEORGIA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-53-wills-trusts-and-administration-of-estates/ga-code-sect-53-4-24.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| HAWAII | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol12_ch0501-0588/hrs0560/HRS_0560-0002-0504.htm | UPC | ||||
| IDAHO | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title15/t15ch2/sect15-2-504/ | UPC | ||||
| ILLINOIS | Written | 2 | No | No | Non-UPC | |||||
| INDIANA | Written/Oral (I.C. 29-1-5-4) | 2 | Yes | No | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-29-probate/in-code-sect-29-1-5-3-1.html | Non-UPC | If there is an interested witness and will cannot be proven without their testimony, then the parts of the will related to that witness are void | I.C. 29-1-5-2(c) ; https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-29-probate/in-code-sect-29-1-5-2/ | ||
| IOWA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/633.279.pdf | Non-UPC | ||||
| KANSAS | Written/Oral (K.S.A. 59-608) | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch59/059_006_0006.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| KENTUCKY | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills if written by the testator) | Yes | Yes | https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=36262 | Non-UPC | ||||
| LOUISIANA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic will if written, signed, and dated by testator) | Yes (Provision specifically for form of notarization) | Yes | https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108902 | Non-UPC | ||||
| MAINE | Written/Statutory (18-C M.R.S.A. § 2-517) | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec2-503.html | UPC | x | http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec2-517.pdf | ||
| MARYLAND | Written | 2(Allows holographic wills for those in military; MD Code, Estates and Trusts § 4-103) | Yes (for electronic wills) | Yes | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=get§ion=4-102 | Non-UPC | Self proving required if electronic will or remotely notarized; witnesses must be in physical presence of testator if not electronic | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=get§ion=4-102 | ||
| MASSACHUSETTS | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mass-general-laws-c190b-ss-2-504 | UPC | ||||
| MICHIGAN | Written/Statutory (M.C.L.A. 700.2519) | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(3yoz05ksrig1fcg5lsaxqkgs))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectName=mcl-700-2504 | UPC | x | http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(cdhuhhkfgz0ngz2tn4yfjsjk))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-700-2519.pdf | ||
| MINNESOTA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/524.2-504 | UPC | ||||
| MISSISSIPPI | Written/Oral (Miss. Code § 91-5-15) | 2 (But allows holographic will) | Yes | Yes | https://codes.findlaw.com/ms/title-91-trusts-and-estates/ms-code-sect-91-7-7.html#:~:text=The%20execution%20of%20the%20will%20may%20be%20proved%20by%20affidavits%20of%20subscribing%20witnesses.%20The%20affidavits%20may%20be%20annexed%20to%20the%20will%20or%20may%20be%20a%20part%20of%20the%20will%2C%20and%20shall%20state%20the%20address%20of%20each%20subscribing%20witness.%20Such%20affidavits%20may%20be%20signed%20at%20the%20time%20that%20the%20will%20is%20executed. | Non-UPC | Oral will must be written within 6 months to be probated; Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | |||
| MISSOURI | Written/Oral (V.A.M.S. 474.340) | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=474.337 | Non-UPC | ||||
| MONTANA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0720/chapter_0020/part_0050/section_0240/0720-0020-0050-0240.html | UPC | ||||
| NEBRASKA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=30-2329 | UPC | ||||
| NEVADA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-133.html#NRS133Sec050 | Non-UPC | ||||
| NEW HAMPSHIRE | Written/Oral (only for soldiers; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 551:15) | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/2022/title-lvi/title-551/section-551-2-a/ | Non-UPC | ||||
| NEW JERSEY | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/nxt/gateway.dll/statutes/1/3679/3703 | UPC | ||||
| NEW MEXICO | Written/Statutory (N.M.S.A. § 45-2A-17 | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-45-uniform-probate-code/nm-st-sect-45-2-504.html | UPC | x | https://willforms.org/wp-content/uploads/New-Mexico-Last-Will-and-Testament-Form.pdf | ||
| NEW YORK | Written/Oral (limited to military NY CLS EPTL § 3-2.2) | 2 (holographic wills limited to military NY CLS EPTL § 3-2.2) | No | No | Non-UPC | |||||
| NORTH CAROLINA | Written/Oral (limited N.C.G.S. § 31-3.5) | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_31/gs_31-11.6.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| NORTH DAKOTA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t30-1c08.pdf | UPC | No witnesses needed if acknowledged by testator in front of a notary | https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t30-1c08.pdf | ||
| OHIO | Written/Oral (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2107.60) | 2 | No | No | Non-UPC | Oral will must be written within 10 days and signed by two witnesses | https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2107.60 | |||
| OKLAHOMA | Written/Oral (limited to military Okla. Stat. tit. 84 § 84-46) | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/os84.pdf | Non-UPC | ||||
| OREGON | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_112.232 | Non-UPC | ||||
| PENNSYLVANIA | Written | 0 | Yes | Yes | https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20&div=0&chpt=31&sctn=32&subsctn=1 | Non-UPC | 2 witnesses required if testator is unable to sign will themselves | https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20&div=0&chpt=25&sctn=2&subsctn=0 | ||
| *PUERTO RICO | Written/Oral (31 L.P.R.A. § 2144) | 0 | No | No | Non-UPC | |||||
| RHODE ISLAND | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE33/33-7/33-7-26.htm | Non-UPC | ||||
| SOUTH CAROLINA | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t62c002.php#:~:text=SECTION%2062%2D2%2D503.,%2C%20and%20made%20self%2Dproved. | UPC | ||||
| SOUTH DAKOTA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/29A-2-504 | UPC | ||||
| TENNESSEE | Written/Oral (Tenn. Code Ann. § 32-1-106) | 2 (But allows holographic will) | Yes | Yes | https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-32/chapter-2/32-2-110 | Non-UPC | Has an informal probate process similar UPC states | |||
| TEXAS | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ES/htm/ES.251.htm#:~:text=251.104.,officer%20authorized%20to%20administer%20oaths. | Non-UPC | ||||
| UTAH | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title75/Chapter2/75-2-S504.html | UPC | ||||
| VERMONT | Written | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/14/003/00108 | Non-UPC | Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | |||
| VIRGINIA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title64.2/chapter4/section64.2-452/ | Non-UPC | ||||
| WASHINGTON | Written/Oral (limited to military. Wash. Rev. Code § 11 12-025) | 2 | Yes (for electronic wills) | Yes | https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=11.12.450 | Non-UPC | ||||
| WEST VIRGINIA | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://code.wvlegislature.gov/41-5-15/ | Non-UPC | Self proving provision does not give model affidavit | |||
| WISCONSIN | Written/Statutory | 2 | Yes | Yes | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853/i/04 | Non-UPC | x | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/853/ii/55 | ||
| WYOMING | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | Yes | Yes | https://codes.findlaw.com/wy/title-2-wills-decedents-estates-and-probate-code/wy-st-sect-2-6-114.html | Non-UPC | ||||
| GUAM | Written | 2 (But allows holographic wills) | No | No | Non-UPC | More Information | http://www.guamcourts.org/CompilerofLaws/GCA/15gca/15gc002.PDF | |||
| Last Updated | 2/24 |