What are the actual requirements for a will to be valid?

While each state may impose additional or alternate requirements, in general, a valid will must be hand-written or printed and signed by the person who has created it.

This person is the “testator” and a will is usually witnessed by two (or more) persons who must normally be “disinterested” parties – meaning they are not named as beneficiaries in the will. Witnesses must also be of “sound mind” (mentally competent). The required number of witnesses may differ by state.

The testator needs to have reached the age of “majority” (18 in most states) and be of “sound mind” (mentally competent) when the will is executed. A married person who has not yet reached the age of majority is (in some cases) adjudged legally capable of executing a will.

Normally, it is not a technical requirement for a will to be notarized, but it certainly is helpful to add strength to the will.

Fully “holographic” (totally handwritten) wills are still recognized as valid in many states without being witnessed. Such a will must be in the normal and provable handwriting of and signed by the testator. As always, state law might impose other conditions on a holographic will.