Real-world examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will?

Real-world examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will?

The best way to understand holographic wills is to start with concrete stories. When people search for examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will, they’re usually trying to answer one of two questions:

• Could this handwritten note (in my drawer, on my phone, in a letter) actually be a will?
• Why did a court accept one handwritten will but reject another that looks almost the same?

Let’s walk through some real-world style scenarios that courts in the U.S. and other countries have actually seen. These are not legal advice, but they mirror patterns you’ll find in reported cases.

Hospital bedside note: a classic example of a holographic will

Imagine a 68‑year‑old patient in a state that recognizes holographic wills, such as California, Arizona, or Texas. She’s in intensive care after a stroke, worried she may not leave the hospital. She grabs a notepad and writes:

“I, Maria Lopez, want my house at 123 Oak Street to go to my daughter Elena. My savings at First Bank should be split between my sons Daniel and Luis. I don’t want my ex-husband to receive anything. This is my will. /s/ Maria Lopez 5/2/2024.”

No witnesses. No lawyer. Just a dated, signed, handwritten note.

In many holographic-will states, this is a textbook example of a holographic will that might be accepted. Courts usually look for:

• The material provisions (who gets what) in the testator’s handwriting
• A clear intent that the document be their will (phrases like “this is my will” help)
• A signature by the person making the will

This type of scenario appears again and again in case law. It’s one of the best examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will because it shows how a simple, plain-English note can carry legal weight when state law allows it.

The truck fender will: emergency writing under extreme pressure

One of the most famous real examples of a holographic will comes from Canada, but U.S. courts often cite it when discussing emergency handwritten wills.

A farmer was trapped under his overturned tractor and believed he was dying. With a pocketknife, he scratched into the tractor fender something like:

“In case I die in this mess, I leave all to my wife.”

He later died from his injuries. The metal fender was removed, brought to court, and admitted as his will.

Why does this matter for someone looking for examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will?

Because it shows that:

• The “paper” can be almost anything: metal, wood, a wall, as long as it’s permanent enough to be presented in court.
• The key is handwriting (or hand-inscribed words) and intent, not formality.

Several U.S. cases echo this logic, especially in states that follow the Uniform Probate Code or have flexible statutes for holographic wills.

The unsent letter found in a desk drawer

Another common pattern in examples include the unsent personal letter that doubles as a will. Picture this:

A single man dies suddenly. His family finds an unsent handwritten letter in his desk addressed to his sister:

“Dear Anna, if anything ever happens to me, I want you to have the house and my retirement account. Please sell my car and split the money with Mark and Julie. Love, David.”

No formal will exists. The family files this letter in probate as a holographic will.

Whether this becomes a valid example of a holographic will depends on the state:

• Some courts say this type of letter does show testamentary intent and accept it.
• Others say it’s more of a “wish” or informal note, not clearly meant as a final will.

States like California and Colorado can be more forgiving if they see clear intent. More formal states, or states that do not recognize holographic wills at all (for example, Florida and New York), would likely reject it outright.

This is one of the best examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will because it highlights the gray zone: the line between a casual letter and an actual will.

The handwritten will on hotel stationery

Travelers sometimes write quick, handwritten wills when they’re about to undergo surgery abroad or engage in a risky activity. Picture a business traveler staying at a hotel in Nevada, a state that recognizes holographic wills.

On hotel stationery, she writes:

“This is my last will and testament. I leave my condo in Reno and all my investment accounts to my partner, Jason. My personal items should go to my sister, Claire. Signed this 3rd day of March, 2025. /s/ Rebecca Turner.”

This is a clean, modern example of a holographic will that many courts would likely uphold, assuming Rebecca was mentally competent and not under undue influence.

The lesson from this and other real examples is that the paper, the pen, and the location matter far less than the handwriting, the clarity, and the state law where the person is legally domiciled.

The notebook entry that failed: when a handwritten “will” doesn’t work

Not every handwritten document passes the test. To balance out the best examples, it helps to look at failures.

Consider a 40‑year‑old man who writes in his journal:

“I’ve been thinking a lot about death. If I die young, I’d probably want my brother to get the house and my parents to get everything else. But I’m not sure yet. I should really see a lawyer and do this right.”

After his unexpected death, his brother tries to use this journal entry as a holographic will.

Courts are likely to reject this as a valid example of a holographic will because:

• The language is tentative: “probably,” “I’m not sure yet.”
• He explicitly says he plans to do a proper will later.
• It reads more like brainstorming than a final decision.

This kind of failed case shows that examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will are not just about handwriting; they’re about intent to make a final testamentary act.

The text message and email problem: modern tech versus old rules

People often ask whether a text message or an email can be a holographic will. That’s where 2024–2025 trends come in.

Most states that recognize holographic wills still require handwriting. That means:

• A typed email is not a holographic will in the traditional sense.
• A text message is not handwritten, so it usually fails the holographic test.

However, a few states (like Nevada and Florida) have statutes for electronic wills, which is a different category entirely. Electronic wills may be valid if they meet specific digital signing and witnessing requirements, but they are not holographic wills.

If you’re looking for examples include modern communication, think of it this way:

• A handwritten note photographed and stored on your phone might still count as a holographic will in some states, because the original handwriting exists.
• A pure digital message (typed, not handwritten) is in a different legal bucket and depends on your state’s electronic will laws.

The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws tracks adoption of the Uniform Electronic Wills Act, which is slowly spreading but still far from universal in 2024–2025.

The “fill-in-the-blanks” store-bought form

Another gray-area example of diverse examples of what is a holographic will involves preprinted forms.

Suppose someone buys a cheap will form at an office-supply store. The form has printed clauses like “I give, devise, and bequeath…” and blank spaces for the person to fill in by hand.

They handwrite all names, assets, and signatures, but the legal boilerplate is printed.

In some states, this can still be a valid holographic will if:

• The material provisions (who inherits what) are in the testator’s handwriting.
• The court is satisfied that the handwritten parts alone show a complete testamentary plan.

Other courts are less flexible and say the presence of printed language disqualifies it as a holographic will because not everything is in the person’s handwriting.

This type of scenario is a powerful example of why state-by-state differences matter. Two people can use the same form in two different states and get opposite results.

The social media “will” post

By 2024–2025, there have been scattered reports of families trying to use a social media post as a will. For example:

“If anything happens to me on this trip, my sister gets my house, my brother gets my car, and my best friend gets my dog. Screenshot this!”

As of now, this is not a good example of a holographic will in any U.S. state because:

• It’s typed, not handwritten.
• It usually lacks formal signing.
• It may not clearly show intent to make a final will versus a casual post.

However, in states that recognize electronic wills, a carefully drafted, electronically signed document could serve as a valid will. That’s different from a holographic will, but it’s where the law is heading.

If you’re hunting for the best examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will, social media posts are currently at the “cautionary tale” end of the spectrum, not the success-story end.

Where holographic wills are recognized (and where they are not)

All these examples only matter if your state recognizes holographic wills.

As of the mid‑2020s, many U.S. states do, including:

• California, Texas, Arizona, Virginia, North Carolina, and several others that follow or resemble the Uniform Probate Code approach.

Some states, however, do not accept holographic wills at all, or accept them only in limited circumstances. Florida, for example, rejects unwitnessed holographic wills even if they would be valid in the state where they were written.

The best starting point is your state’s probate code or a reliable overview from a neutral source such as:

• Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute (LII)
• Your state judiciary or legislature website (usually a .gov domain)

Because laws change, especially around electronic wills, always check current statutes rather than relying on a single list you find online.

Why people still write holographic wills in 2024–2025

Despite online forms and affordable legal services, people still create holographic wills for predictable reasons:

• Medical emergencies (hospital, battlefield, sudden diagnosis)
• Travel or adventure risk (before a dangerous trip or surgery)
• Distrust of lawyers or discomfort with formal systems
• Procrastination until it’s almost too late

Real examples show a pattern: holographic wills are often written under stress, in a hurry, and without advice. That’s exactly why they generate so much litigation later.

Probate courts see:

• Heirs fighting over what the handwriting says
• Arguments about whether the writer was mentally competent
• Claims that someone else influenced or pressured the writer

These conflicts are expensive and slow. Even when a holographic will is ultimately accepted, families can spend months or years in court.

Best practices if you’re tempted to write a holographic will

If you’re only reading these examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will to understand a deceased relative’s note, you’re stuck with what already exists. But if you’re still alive and thinking of handwriting something now, there are ways to reduce the risk.

If your state recognizes holographic wills, lawyers often suggest that a handwritten will should:

• Clearly state it is your last will and testament
• Be dated and signed by you
• Use clear, direct language about who gets what
• Avoid vague phrases like “probably,” “I might,” or “I think I want”
• Avoid side comments that suggest it’s only temporary

Even better, use a holographic will only as a short‑term emergency measure, then follow up with a properly executed, attorney‑drafted will as soon as you can. Organizations like the American Bar Association provide public education on estate planning basics, and many state bar associations offer lawyer referral services.

For general estate planning guidance (not specific to holographic wills), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorney general sites often publish free, plain‑language guides.

FAQs about holographic wills and real-world examples

Are there real examples of a holographic will being written on unusual materials?

Yes. One of the most famous real examples is the tractor fender will, where a dying farmer carved his last wishes into metal. Courts have also seen wills written on walls, envelopes, and margins of books. The material is less important than the handwriting, intent, and state law.

Can a text message ever be an example of a valid holographic will?

In classic terms, no, because a holographic will requires handwriting. A text message is typed, not handwritten. However, a state that recognizes electronic wills might, in theory, honor a digitally signed document that looks more like a formal electronic will than a casual text. That’s a different legal category from a holographic will.

What is an example of a holographic will that a court might reject?

A common example of a rejected holographic will is a journal entry that says something like “I think I’d want my sister to get the house, but I’ll decide later.” Courts see that as planning or musing, not a final will. Another example is a short note that divides property but is unsigned or appears to be written by someone other than the deceased.

Do all U.S. states accept examples of holographic wills?

No. Some states fully recognize holographic wills, some limit them, and some reject them entirely. Florida and New York, for instance, are much stricter. Always check your own state’s probate code or a reliable source like your state court’s website before assuming a handwritten will is valid.

Are holographic wills a good idea if I want to avoid family conflict?

They’re better than nothing in a life‑or‑death emergency, but they are not the best examples of careful estate planning. Real examples from probate courts show that handwritten wills often trigger disputes over meaning, authenticity, and capacity. A properly drafted, witnessed, and sometimes notarized will is far more likely to stand up without a fight.

Holographic wills sit at the intersection of human emotion and hard law: last‑minute fear, handwritten notes, and courts trying to honor genuine intent without opening the door to fraud. By looking at these examples of diverse examples of what is a holographic will, you can see both their power and their limits—and why a formal estate plan is still the safer path in 2024–2025.