Real-world examples of how to revoke a holographic will (and what actually works)

Straightforward examples of how to revoke a holographic will

Let’s start where most people actually live: real examples of how people revoke a holographic will in day-to-day life. These aren’t theoretical; they mirror the kinds of facts that show up in court cases across the U.S.

One classic example of revoking a holographic will is the person who writes a new, formal typed will with a lawyer. That typed will usually includes a sentence like, “I hereby revoke all prior wills and codicils.” If the new will is validly executed under your state’s law, courts typically treat the older handwritten will as revoked by inconsistency and express language. In practice, this is one of the best examples of a clean, low‑drama revocation.

Another common scenario: someone takes the original handwritten will, tears it into pieces, and throws it away while clearly intending to cancel it. Physical destruction, when done intentionally by the person who made the will, is another textbook example of how to revoke a holographic will that courts recognize.

Those are the simple versions. Now let’s walk through more detailed examples of how to revoke a holographic will, including some that get people into trouble.

Handwritten revocation statements: the best examples that stay close to home

If you created a holographic will because you like doing things by hand, one of the best examples of revoking it is equally handwritten: a short, clear revocation document.

Imagine this scenario:

“I, Maria Lopez, hereby revoke my handwritten will dated March 14, 2020. I no longer want that will to have any effect.”
[Signed] Maria Lopez
Dated: June 1, 2025

In many states that recognize holographic wills (like Arizona, Texas, and California), a document like that—written and signed in your handwriting, and clearly expressing your intent to revoke—can operate as a valid revocation. Courts often treat it as either a new holographic will or a holographic codicil that cancels the prior one.

When lawyers talk about examples of examples of how to revoke a holographic will, this is high on the list because it checks several boxes:

• It’s clearly in the testator’s handwriting.
• It uses unambiguous language like “revoke” or “cancel.”
• It’s dated and signed, which helps courts see it as the latest expression of intent.

You don’t need fancy wording. What matters is that the document is clearly yours and clearly says the old holographic will should no longer control.

New typed will vs. old handwritten will: real examples from modern practice

In 2024–2025, more people are moving from DIY handwritten wills to attorney‑drafted or online‑assisted typed wills. That shift creates a very common example of how to revoke a holographic will: the newer typed will simply replaces it.

Picture this:

• In 2019, Jordan writes a holographic will leaving everything to a sibling.
• In 2025, after getting married, Jordan signs a typed will prepared by an attorney, properly witnessed and notarized.

The 2025 will includes a standard clause revoking all prior wills. Under most U.S. laws (see general guidance from the American Bar Association and many state bar associations), that later valid will revokes the earlier holographic will. The two documents are inconsistent, and the newer one wins.

Real‑world examples include:

• Someone who wrote a quick holographic will before surgery, then later replaced it with a formal estate plan.
• A person who moved from a state that recognizes holographic wills to one that does not, then signed a new typed will to avoid confusion.
• A widower who rewrote everything after remarriage and used a lawyer‑drafted will as the new controlling document.

In all these examples, the key is that the new will is valid, later in time, and clearly meant to override whatever came before.

Physical destruction: examples of how to revoke a holographic will that courts actually accept

Physical destruction is one of the oldest and clearest examples of how to revoke a holographic will. But people often underestimate how messy this can get when there’s a dispute.

Here are realistic scenarios:

Tearing up the will in front of witnesses

Alex, angry about an old holographic will that left everything to an ex‑partner, takes the original document, rips it into pieces at the kitchen table, and says, “This will is canceled. I’m writing a new one.” The pieces go into the trash.

If Alex dies before writing a new will, many courts would treat that original holographic will as revoked by physical act, assuming witnesses can credibly testify about what happened. The combination of destruction plus clear statements of intent is one of the best examples of revocation by physical act.

Shredding the will—but only halfway

Now a more complicated example of what not to do. Taylor starts shredding the holographic will, gets interrupted, and never finishes. Half the pages are intact, half are shredded. No one heard Taylor say anything about canceling the will.

If a dispute hits probate court, the judge now has to decide: did Taylor intend to revoke the will or just misplace or partially damage it? Courts look for strong evidence of intent. Partial destruction without clear proof of purpose can lead to expensive litigation, especially if some beneficiaries want the old will enforced.

Burning or crossing out the will

Some people burn or heavily cross out their holographic will. If the act is clearly intentional, and preferably accompanied by a statement like “I’m destroying this will because I don’t want it to apply anymore,” courts are more likely to see it as a valid revocation.

The pattern in all these examples of how to revoke a holographic will is the same: physical destruction plus clear evidence that you meant to cancel the will.

Writing a new holographic will: examples include “this replaces all prior wills”

Another very common example of how to revoke a holographic will is simply writing a new holographic will that directly contradicts the old one and says it revokes prior wills.

For instance, consider:

“This is my last will. I revoke all earlier wills and codicils, including any handwritten will I made before today. I leave my property as follows…”

Written, dated, and signed entirely in your handwriting, this kind of document is often accepted in states that allow holographic wills, following principles similar to those described in the Uniform Probate Code (adopted in some form by several U.S. states).

Real‑life style examples include:

• Someone who first wrote a bare‑bones holographic will in their twenties, then later wrote a more detailed handwritten will in their forties with updated beneficiaries.
• A person who changed their mind about leaving everything to one child and instead drafted a new holographic will splitting assets among all children, explicitly revoking the earlier document.

Courts usually treat the newer holographic will as controlling, especially when it clearly says it revokes prior wills.

Risky “examples of” revocation that often fail in court

For every clean example of how to revoke a holographic will, there’s a messy one that triggers family fights and probate litigation. Here are patterns that judges see again and again.

Margin notes and cross‑outs

People love to tinker. A common example of a risky move is someone taking their original handwritten will and scribbling in the margins:

“I don’t want this part anymore”
“Change this to my niece instead”

without rewriting the will or clearly revoking it. Courts might treat these notes as meaningless, or as attempted amendments that don’t meet state requirements. In some states, even holographic changes must still meet specific standards (like being entirely in the testator’s handwriting and clearly intended as a new will or codicil).

Unsigned sticky notes or emails

Another modern example of trouble: the testator writes a sticky note—“Ignore my old will, I’ve changed my mind”—but never signs or dates it. Or they send an email saying, “My 2018 handwritten will is canceled,” but never follow up with a formal revocation.

Courts are extremely skeptical of these kinds of attempts. Without a proper signature, date, or compliance with state will‑execution laws, these notes and emails often fail as valid revocations. They might, at best, become evidence of intent, but not a binding act.

Losing the will and assuming that’s enough

In some jurisdictions, if the original will was last in the testator’s possession and cannot be found after death, courts may presume it was destroyed with intent to revoke. But that’s a presumption that can be challenged.

This is a weak example of how to revoke a holographic will because it relies entirely on inference. If someone else had access to your documents, or if there are copies floating around, litigation can quickly follow. Far better to use a clear, intentional method of revocation.

State‑by‑state differences: why examples of how to revoke a holographic will vary

One reason lawyers obsess over examples of how to revoke a holographic will is that state law varies widely. Some states fully recognize holographic wills; others reject them or limit their use.

• States like Texas, Arizona, and California have long traditions of recognizing holographic wills and typically allow revocation by a later holographic document or by physical destruction with intent.
• Some states that follow the Uniform Probate Code framework are more flexible about what counts as a valid writing, but still expect clear evidence of intent and compliance with statutory rules.
• A number of states either do not recognize holographic wills at all or only recognize them under narrow circumstances (for example, for active‑duty military personnel).

Because of this patchwork, the best examples of revocation in one state might fail in another. The Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School offers a useful overview of will basics, but you still need to check your specific state’s statutes or talk to a local attorney.

If you moved since writing your holographic will, it’s particularly important to revisit it. A new, properly executed will in your current state is often the cleanest example of how to revoke a holographic will created somewhere else.

2024–2025 trends: digital tools, handwritten wills, and revocation

In the last few years, there’s been a surge in online will‑making platforms and hybrid planning, where people start with a handwritten will and later upgrade to a digital‑drafted, attorney‑reviewed document.

Some modern examples include:

• A person who wrote a quick holographic will during the COVID‑19 pandemic, then replaced it in 2024 with an online‑generated will that an attorney helped execute with proper witnesses.
• Individuals using secure digital storage services that prompt periodic updates, leading them to revoke older handwritten wills and sign new documents.

What hasn’t changed is the basic legal logic: courts still want clear, intentional acts. Whether your new will is drafted on a laptop or a yellow legal pad, the examples of how to revoke a holographic will that hold up are still the ones that show unmistakable intent and follow the formalities your state requires.

For general background on how wills and estate planning fit into broader planning for health and incapacity, resources from the National Institute on Aging can be a helpful starting point (though they’re not specific to holographic wills).

Practical tips drawn from the best examples of revocation

Looking across all these scenarios, some patterns stand out in the best examples of how to revoke a holographic will:

• Put it in writing, clearly. Use simple language like “I revoke my prior will dated [date].”
• Date and sign whatever you create. That helps courts see it as your latest decision.
• Use a new, properly executed will if possible. It’s often the cleanest path.
• If you destroy the old will, be obvious about it and tell someone you trust what you’re doing and why.
• Avoid half‑measures like margin notes, unsigned sticky notes, or casual emails.

And if your situation is even slightly complicated—blended family, significant assets, business ownership, or special‑needs beneficiaries—it’s worth talking to a local estate‑planning attorney. Many state bar associations maintain lawyer referral services on their .gov or .org sites, and an hour of advice can save your family years of conflict.

FAQ: common questions with real examples of revoking a holographic will

What are simple examples of how to revoke a holographic will?

Simple, effective examples of how to revoke a holographic will include: signing a new valid will that says it revokes all prior wills; writing, dating, and signing a short handwritten statement clearly revoking the earlier holographic will; or intentionally destroying the original will (tearing, burning, or shredding) while intending to cancel it.

Can you give an example of a handwritten revocation that might work?

A practical example of a handwritten revocation could be: “I, Daniel Harris, revoke my handwritten will dated May 10, 2021. I do not want that will to control my estate.” Then Daniel dates and signs that statement. In many states that recognize holographic wills, this can function as a valid revocation document.

Are there examples of revocation that courts often reject?

Yes. Common examples include unsigned sticky notes saying “Ignore my old will,” random cross‑outs on the original holographic will without a clear new document, or emails announcing “my will is canceled” without any follow‑through. These often fail because they don’t meet state law requirements for wills or revocations.

If I just write a new holographic will, does that automatically revoke the old one?

Often, but not always. The safer practice is to include clear language in the new holographic will stating that you revoke all prior wills and codicils. Courts are more comfortable with examples of how to revoke a holographic will where the new document expressly says the old one is canceled, rather than relying only on conflicting terms.

Do I need a lawyer to revoke a holographic will?

Legally, you may not be required to use a lawyer, especially in states that accept holographic wills and holographic revocations. But given how many contested cases arise from sloppy attempts, many attorneys and legal educators recommend at least a brief consultation. You can find general educational material on wills and estate planning through resources like Cornell’s Legal Information Institute and then confirm specifics with a local professional.

Bottom line: the best examples of how to revoke a holographic will are boring in the best possible way—clear, dated, signed, and consistent with your state’s rules. If your revocation attempt would make a probate judge squint and guess what you meant, it’s time to rewrite it.