Real-world examples of how to write a holographic will (step by step)

Why we’re starting with real examples of how to write a holographic will

Most articles start with long definitions. Let’s skip the lecture and go straight to what you’re actually looking for: real examples of how to write a holographic will that a court is more likely to accept.

Then, after each example, I’ll explain why it works (or doesn’t), and how you can adapt it to your own situation.

Keep in mind: holographic wills are not accepted everywhere. As of 2024, many U.S. states do recognize them in some form (for example, California, Texas, Virginia, Arizona), while others do not. You can check your state’s rules through your state court or legislature website, or through resources like the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.

Simple note-style example of a holographic will

Let’s start with the kind of thing people actually write in a hurry: a short, handwritten note.

Imagine Alex, a single parent in Texas, who wants everything to go to their two kids and doesn’t own a business or complicated investments.

Here is a simple example of how to write a holographic will in that situation:

June 10, 2025
Austin, Texas

This is my last will and testament.

I, Alex Johnson, being of sound mind, leave everything I own, of whatever kind and wherever located, to my children, Taylor Johnson and Jordan Johnson, in equal shares.

If one of my children dies before me, that child’s share should go to their children, if they have any.

I appoint my sister, Maria Johnson, as guardian of my minor children and as the person in charge of handling my estate.

I revoke any earlier wills I have made.

/s/ Alex Johnson

Why this is one of the better examples of how to write a holographic will:

• It is clearly meant to be a will (“This is my last will and testament”).
• The writer’s full name appears.
• The property is described broadly (“everything I own”), so nothing is unintentionally left out.
• Beneficiaries are named and the shares are clear.
• There’s a backup plan if a child dies first.
• There is a signature and a date in the writer’s handwriting.

In many states that accept holographic wills, a note like this could be valid even without witnesses, as long as the material portions (who gets what, and the signature) are in the person’s handwriting. For more background on state differences, the Uniform Law Commission has information on uniform probate laws used by some states.

Letter-style examples of examples of how to write a holographic will

Now let’s look at a longer, more conversational letter. Many real holographic wills look exactly like this: basically a heartfelt letter that happens to include will language.

Picture Dana, who owns a house, some savings, and a small art collection. Dana wants to leave specific items to specific people.

Here’s a letter-style example of how to write a holographic will:

March 2, 2025
Seattle, Washington

Dear family,

I am writing this letter to say how I want my property handled when I die. This letter is meant to be my last will and testament.

I, Dana Morales, leave my house at 1450 Pine Street, Seattle, Washington, to my brother, Miguel Morales.

I leave my savings and checking accounts, and any money in my retirement accounts, to my partner, Casey Lee.

I leave my paintings and other artwork to be divided between my nieces, Sofia Morales and Elena Morales, as they see fit.

If Miguel or Casey dies before me, their share should go to Sofia and Elena, in equal shares.

I appoint Casey Lee to handle my estate and pay any debts and taxes I owe.

I revoke all earlier wills and codicils.

Love,
Dana Morales

This is one of the best examples of how to write a holographic will if you like a plain-English, letter-style format. It reads like a normal letter, but it still hits the big points: intent, property, beneficiaries, executor, and signature.

A few teaching points from this example:

• Calling it your “last will and testament” helps show intent.
• Specific gifts (like a house at a particular address) reduce confusion.
• Broad terms (“savings and checking accounts”) cover multiple institutions.
• The backup plan for predeceased beneficiaries helps avoid partial intestacy (where some property is treated as if there were no will).

Emergency examples of how to write a holographic will in a hospital or crisis

Real life is messy. A lot of real examples of how to write a holographic will come from emergencies: someone in a hospital room, on deployment, or before risky travel.

Imagine Chris, hospitalized after an accident, worried about what happens to their young child.

Here is an emergency-style example of a holographic will:

November 18, 2024

I am in the hospital and I don’t know what will happen, so I am writing this as my will.

I, Chris Thompson, want all of my property, including any life insurance I own and money in any bank accounts, to go to my daughter, Riley Thompson.

If Riley is still a minor when I die, I want my sister, Jordan Thompson, to be her guardian and to manage any money for her until she is 25.

I do not want my parents, Mark and Ellen Thompson, to have control of Riley’s money.

I revoke any earlier wills.

Chris Thompson

Is this perfect? No. But many courts have accepted very similar real examples of holographic wills, especially when the handwriting and signature are clearly the person’s.

If you ever find yourself in this kind of situation and you’re able to, you can improve your own handwritten will by:

• Dating it.
• Clearly stating it is your will.
• Naming who gets what.
• Signing in your usual signature.

For background on end-of-life planning more generally (not just wills), the National Institute on Aging offers helpful information on advance care planning.

Example of a holographic will that could cause problems

Not all examples of how to write a holographic will are good ones. Sometimes, the best teaching comes from a bad example.

Here’s a problematic example of a holographic will that might be challenged:

Sometime in 2023

If anything happens to me, I want my stuff to go to my kids and for my sister to handle things.

Thanks,
Pat

Why this is risky:

• No full name for the writer or the kids.
• “Sometime in 2023” is vague.
• “My stuff” is unclear.
• It never explicitly says “this is my will” or that it should control after death.
• The signature is just “Pat” with no last name.

Could a court still treat this as a holographic will? In some states and under some circumstances, possibly. Courts sometimes look at context and other evidence to decide if the writer meant this to be a will. But compared with the earlier examples of examples of how to write a holographic will, this one leaves a lot of room for argument.

If you see yourself in this kind of vague note, you can improve it by:

• Adding your full name and the date.
• Using clear will language (“This is my last will and testament”).
• Naming your beneficiaries by full name.
• Signing with your usual legal signature.

Examples include a mix of simple and detailed holographic wills

Not everyone needs or wants the same level of detail. Some of the most practical examples of how to write a holographic will fall somewhere between the very short note and the long letter.

Here’s a mid-length example that many people could adapt:

July 4, 2025
Chicago, Illinois

This is my last will and testament.

I, Morgan Lee, leave the following:

1. My home at 780 Oak Street, Chicago, to my spouse, Jamie Lee.
2. All household items, furniture, and personal belongings to Jamie Lee.
3. All bank accounts, investments, and retirement accounts to be divided equally between my children, Alex Lee and Sam Lee.
4. My car to my nephew, Daniel Lee.

If Jamie dies before me, Jamie’s share goes equally to Alex and Sam.

I appoint Jamie as executor of my estate, and if Jamie cannot serve, I appoint my brother, Thomas Lee.

I revoke all earlier wills.

Morgan Lee

(If you handwrite something like this, you would not use numbered list formatting; you’d just write each item as a separate sentence or paragraph.)

This mid-length format shows how examples include both specific gifts (house, car) and broad categories (bank accounts, investments). It also shows backup beneficiaries and a backup executor, which real lawyers often recommend.

Real examples of how to write a holographic will for blended families

Blended families add another layer. Stepchildren are a classic source of misunderstanding: in many states, stepchildren do not automatically inherit unless they are named in the will.

Here’s a realistic example of how to write a holographic will for someone in a blended family:

January 15, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona

This is my last will and testament.

I, Jordan Perez, am married to Taylor Perez. I have one biological child, Mia Perez, and two stepchildren, Logan Smith and Ava Smith.

I leave all of my property, including my house, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal belongings, to my spouse, Taylor Perez.

If Taylor dies before me, I leave my property as follows:

– Fifty percent (50%) to my child, Mia Perez.
– Twenty-five percent (25%) to my stepchild, Logan Smith.
– Twenty-five percent (25%) to my stepchild, Ava Smith.

I want my stepchildren to be treated as my own children for purposes of this will.

I appoint Taylor as executor of my estate.

I revoke all earlier wills.

Jordan Perez

This is one of the best examples of how to write a holographic will when you want to be very clear about stepchildren. It spells out relationships and percentages so there’s less room for argument.

Short “all to spouse, then to kids” example of a holographic will

Many married people just want the classic pattern: everything to my spouse, then to my kids.

Here’s a short, clean example of a holographic will that follows that pattern:

May 30, 2025

This is my last will and testament.

I, Riley Carter, leave all of my property to my spouse, Jordan Carter.

If Jordan dies before me, I leave all of my property in equal shares to my children, Noah Carter and Emma Carter.

I appoint Jordan as executor of my estate. If Jordan cannot serve, I appoint my brother, Ethan Carter.

I revoke all prior wills.

Riley Carter

This is one of the simplest examples of examples of how to write a holographic will that still feels reasonably complete.

How to use these examples of examples of how to write a holographic will safely

Now that you’ve seen several real examples of how to write a holographic will, let’s talk about how to use them wisely.

You can:

• Use the language as inspiration for your own handwritten will.
• Mix and match ideas (for example, the simple “all to spouse, then kids” structure with the blended-family clarity).
• Handwrite your entire will in ink, on paper, and sign it.

You should not:

• Type it and just sign it, then assume it’s a valid holographic will (many states require the material parts to be in your handwriting).
• Copy someone else’s example word-for-word without thinking through your own assets and relationships.
• Assume that because one state accepted a certain format, yours will too.

For up-to-date, state-specific information, check:

• Your state judiciary or legislature website (often a .gov domain).
• Educational sites like Cornell’s Legal Information Institute.
• Local legal aid organizations (.org) that explain wills in plain language.

If you have a high net worth, a blended family with tension, a family business, or a child with a disability, a holographic will is usually a temporary stopgap at best. In those cases, it’s worth talking to an estate planning attorney. Many bar associations list referral services on their websites (for example, the American Bar Association).

FAQ about holographic wills and real examples

Are these examples of holographic wills valid in every state?

No. These are examples of how people might write a holographic will, not guarantees of validity everywhere. Some states do not recognize holographic wills at all. Others only accept them in limited situations (for example, for active-duty military). You need to check your own state’s law or consult a local attorney.

Do I need witnesses if I use an example of a holographic will like these?

In many states that recognize holographic wills, witnesses are not required as long as the will is handwritten and signed by you. However, some states still require witnesses, even for handwritten wills. Using witnesses rarely hurts and may help prove authenticity later, even if not legally required.

Can I use these real examples of how to write a holographic will if I already have a typed will?

If you write a new holographic will that says you revoke earlier wills, a court might treat the handwritten one as your latest will. That can accidentally undo careful planning in your typed will. If you already have a formal will, talk to a lawyer before changing it with a handwritten document.

Are there examples of holographic wills being thrown out in court?

Yes. Courts have rejected holographic wills that were too vague, unsigned, undated, or written in a way that did not clearly show they were meant to be wills. Some were written on sticky notes or in journals with unclear intent. That’s why the clearer your wording and structure, the better.

What’s the best example of a simple holographic will for most people?

For many people, the best example is a short, clear handwritten statement that:

• Says “This is my last will and testament.”
• States your full name and the date.
• Says who gets what, in plain language.
• Names an executor.
• Is signed in your usual handwriting.

Several of the examples above follow this pattern. You can adapt them, in your own handwriting, to match your life and your state’s rules.

Bottom line: These examples of examples of how to write a holographic will are teaching tools. They can help you understand what courts look for and how to avoid common mistakes. But they’re not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your situation and your state’s law.