(Estate Planners) - Customarily, when a person creates a last will and testament, or will, the will is drafted as a formal written document with specific language that is valid for the jurisdiction where the will is written. This will formally and legally dictates how the testator (the person making the will) wishes to dispose of and distribute their property and assets when they die.

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(Estate Planners) - The holographic or handwritten will is a “step above” having no will at all. This type of will is considered valid in many states; in fact, in almost thirty states, even a holographic or handwritten will that has not been witnessed is valid. The holographic will must be prepared in the handwriting of the testator. Even in states that recognize the validity of a handwritten will, the laws are very strict and particular.

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