Real-world examples of holographic will language that actually work

Short, valid-style examples of holographic will language

Let’s start with the kind of short, direct wording courts are more likely to accept. These are examples of holographic will language that echo what real judges have seen in probate files, but simplified into clear, modern English.

A basic “all to my spouse” example of holographic will language might look like this:

"This is my last will. I, Maria Lopez, leave everything I own, of whatever kind and wherever located, to my husband, David Lopez. If David dies before me, I leave everything to my children in equal shares. I name David as executor of my will. Signed this 5th day of May 2025, in my handwriting. /s/ Maria Lopez."

In many states that recognize holographic wills, this kind of language checks the main boxes: it shows testamentary intent, identifies the property in broad terms, names beneficiaries, and is entirely in the testator’s handwriting.

Here’s another example of holographic will language that adds a few specific gifts before the “everything else” clause:

"I, James Carter, write this will by hand. I give my 2019 Ford F-150 truck to my brother, Michael Carter. I give my wedding ring to my daughter, Anna Carter. I give the rest of my property and money to my wife, Lisa Carter. Lisa will be in charge of my estate. Signed on June 10, 2024. /s/ James Carter."

These short samples are not magic formulas, but they show the tone, structure, and level of clarity judges look for in the best examples of holographic will language.

Longer real-style examples of holographic will language for families

Most real handwritten wills are messy: cross-outs, side notes, and half-finished thoughts. That said, you can still draft something readable. The following are fuller examples of examples of holographic will language that resemble what people with kids, mortgages, and mixed assets actually write.

Example of a handwritten will for a married parent with minor children

*"This is my last will. I, Rebecca Allen, born March 3, 1985, living in Phoenix, Arizona, write this will by hand because I want my wishes followed if I die.

I am married to Thomas Allen. We have two children, Jacob Allen and Emily Allen.

I give all my property, including my house, car, personal belongings, and any bank accounts, to my husband, Thomas Allen.

If Thomas dies before me or at the same time as me, I give everything I own to my children, Jacob and Emily, in equal shares. If one of my children dies before me, that child’s share goes to the other child.

I want my sister, Laura Perez, to be the guardian of my children if both Thomas and I are dead.

I name my husband, Thomas Allen, to be in charge of my estate. If he cannot do it, I name my sister, Laura Perez.

I sign this will in my own handwriting on this 2nd day of February 2025.

/s/ Rebecca Allen"*

This is the kind of example of holographic will language that many probate judges can work with. It doesn’t try to sound “legal.” It simply answers the questions: Who are you? Who gets what? Who takes care of the kids? Who handles the estate?

Example of a holographic will for an unmarried person with siblings

*"I, Daniel Kim, write this by hand as my last will. I am not married and have no children.

I give my personal belongings, including my furniture, clothes, and electronics, to my sister, Grace Kim.

I give my savings account at First National Bank and any money in my checking account to my brother, Andrew Kim.

I give any remaining property I own, including any car I own at my death, to Grace Kim and Andrew Kim in equal shares.

I name my friend, Sarah Lee, to manage my estate and pay my debts and final expenses.

Dated July 14, 2024. All written by me.

/s/ Daniel Kim"*

Again, this is not a perfect template, but it’s one of the more realistic examples include style drafts that courts are used to seeing.

Modern examples of holographic will language for digital assets

Handwritten wills written in 2024–2025 increasingly mention digital life: online accounts, crypto, and cloud storage. Courts are still catching up. Here are real examples of how people are starting to phrase this.

Example of holographic language covering passwords and online accounts

*"I, Olivia Martinez, write this will by hand. I want my brother, Carlos Martinez, to have access to my digital accounts, including email, social media, and photos stored online. I keep a list of my passwords in the blue notebook in my desk drawer. Carlos should manage or close these accounts as he thinks best.

All my property, including any money in online accounts like PayPal or Venmo, goes to my partner, Jordan Lee.

Signed in my handwriting, March 1, 2025.

/s/ Olivia Martinez"*

This kind of language is increasingly common in examples of holographic will language, but note the risk: passwords written in a notebook raise security issues, and some online platforms have their own rules that can override a will.

The best examples of modern handwritten wills combine simple language with a separate, regularly updated list of accounts and devices. Many U.S. states have adopted laws based on the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (RUFADAA), which affects how executors can legally access online accounts. For an overview, see the Uniform Law Commission’s summary at uniformlaws.org.

Risky examples of holographic will language that cause disputes

Now for the uncomfortable part: examples of examples of holographic will language that look heartfelt but create legal headaches. These are adapted from real-life court disputes.

Vague notes that might not count as a will

"If anything happens to me, I want Mom to have the house and my sister to have my stuff. Everyone else knows what they should get. Don’t fight."

This kind of scribbled note shows intent, but a judge has to decide:

• Is this a definite decision, or just a thought?
• Does “my stuff” mean everything, or just personal items?
• Who is “Mom” if the writer has a mother and a stepmother?

Courts in some states have accepted similar wording as a will; others have rejected it as too uncertain. If you’re hunting for best examples of handwritten will language, this is how not to do it.

Crossed-out and rewritten gifts

"I leave my car to Jake my cousin, Melissa. I leave $5,000 to my friend Tom Sarah."

If this is all in the writer’s handwriting, some courts will try to honor the latest version. Others may need evidence about when the cross-outs were made. The lesson from these examples include style problems: if you change your mind, rewrite the whole sentence clearly instead of layering edits.

State differences and why examples of holographic will language can mislead you

Here’s the trap: you can read the best-written examples of holographic will language online and still end up with something invalid in your state.

A few key differences:

• Some U.S. states do not recognize holographic wills at all. In those places, even the cleanest example of handwritten will language will be ignored if it doesn’t meet formal witnessing rules.
• States that do accept holographic wills often require that the material portions (the parts that actually give property away) be in the testator’s handwriting. A preprinted form with blanks filled in by hand may or may not qualify.
• Some states require a date; others don’t. As a practical matter, dating your handwritten will is smart because it helps courts decide which document is the latest.

The American Bar Association has a useful general overview of wills and estate planning at americanbar.org, which is a good reality check before copying any examples of language you find.

Outside the U.S., the rules vary widely. For instance, some Canadian provinces and a number of European countries recognize handwritten wills but impose strict rules on signatures and dates. Always verify with a local legal aid organization, bar association, or government site before relying on any example of holographic will language.

How to adapt these examples of holographic will language safely

If you’re using these examples of examples of holographic will language as a starting point, keep a few practical guidelines in mind.

Be clear about who you are and who your people are

Courts love precision. Instead of “my kids,” write something closer to the better real examples above:

"my children, Jacob Allen and Emily Allen"

If you have stepchildren or children from prior relationships, name them explicitly. Ambiguous references like “the kids” are a recurring problem in contested estates.

Use simple, direct sentences

The best examples of holographic will language are short and boring:

• “I give my house at 123 Oak Street to my daughter, Megan Brown.”
• “I give all my other property to my son, David Brown.”

Long, multi-clause sentences are where people accidentally create conflicts. Think in terms of one idea per sentence.

Decide who handles the estate

Many handwritten wills forget to name someone to administer the estate. Courts can appoint an administrator, but you’re inviting delay and family tension.

Borrow from the earlier examples include language:

"I name my wife, Lisa Carter, to be in charge of my estate. If she cannot do it, I name my brother, Michael Carter."

That simple fallback clause often saves months of argument.

Don’t ignore debts and final expenses

You don’t have to list every bill, but a short sentence helps:

"My executor should pay my debts, funeral costs, and taxes from my estate before giving out the rest."

This is the kind of line you’ll see in many real examples of handwritten wills in court files.

When you should not rely on holographic will examples at all

There are situations where copying the best examples of holographic will language is still a bad idea:

• You own a business or shares in a private company
• You have children from multiple relationships
• You expect family members to fight about money
• You have property in more than one country or state
• You’re trying to disinherit a close relative

In these cases, holographic wills are a magnet for litigation. A short consultation with an estate planning attorney or a legal aid clinic can save your heirs a lot of money and stress. The Legal Services Corporation maintains a locator for U.S. legal aid organizations at lsc.gov, which is a good entry point if cost is an issue.

FAQ: examples of holographic will language

Q: Can you give an example of a very short holographic will?
Yes. A bare-bones version that courts in some states have accepted looks like:

"This is my will. I, Robert Hill, give everything I own to my wife, Angela Hill. Signed in my handwriting, August 3, 2024. /s/ Robert Hill"

It’s not detailed, but it shows intent, names the testator, names a beneficiary, and is entirely handwritten.

Q: Are examples of holographic will language from other states safe to copy?
Not necessarily. An example of language that works in Arizona might fail in Florida, which does not recognize holographic wills. Always confirm your state’s rules through an official source, like a state court or bar association website.

Q: Do I have to list every single asset in my handwritten will?
No. Many real examples of holographic wills use broad phrases like “all my property” or “the rest of my estate.” That said, if you care deeply about who receives a particular item (a house, a ring, a business interest), it’s smart to name it specifically.

Q: Are examples of holographic will language enough, or should I see a lawyer?
Examples are helpful for understanding tone and structure, but they are not tailored to your situation. If you own significant assets, have complicated family dynamics, or live in a jurisdiction with strict formalities, a lawyer-reviewed document is far safer than any example of handwritten will language.

Q: Can I use online templates and just rewrite them by hand?
You can, but you need to be careful. If you copy a typed form word-for-word, a court might question whether the document truly reflects your own decisions. The safer approach is to read templates and examples of language for ideas, then write your will in your own words, entirely by hand, following your jurisdiction’s rules.

Bottom line: examples of examples of holographic will language are useful teaching tools, not guaranteed blueprints. Use them to understand how clear, plain-language gifts look on paper, then confirm with local law or a professional before you bet your entire estate on a handwritten page.