How do I know if a will is valid without a lawyer?

Check it against the requirements above: written, signed by the maker, witnessed by two disinterested adults, made by someone of sound mind and of age, current, and with the original available. If it meets those, it's valid. A lawyer can confirm edge cases, but you can do the basic check yourself.

Does a will have to be notarized to be valid?

In most states, no. Witnessing is what makes a will valid; notarization is for the optional self-proving affidavit that speeds up probate. Louisiana is the main exception.

Can a will be valid without witnesses?

Rarely. A few states recognize an unwitnessed handwritten (holographic) will under strict conditions, but in most states a will without the required witnesses is not valid. Witnessing is the step people most often skip and most often regret.

How Do I Know If My Will Is Legit?

You wrote a will, or you're about to, and a quiet doubt lingers: is this thing actually going to hold up? The reassuring part is that you can check it yourself against a short list.

Quick answer: A will is legit when it meets a handful of requirements: it's in writing, you signed it, and the right number of witnesses (usually two adults, ideally people who don't inherit under it) signed it too. You must have been an adult of sound mind, and it needs to be your current version, with the signed original findable. Meet those, and your will is valid. A notarized "self-proving affidavit" is optional but makes it easier to accept in court.

How Do I Know If My Will Is Legit?

The valid-will self-check

What can make a will invalid?

How to make yours easy to prove

Frequently asked questions