Is a Handwritten Will Enforceable in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, a handwritten will is sometimes called a “holographic will.” It’s legal, but there are some rules it has to follow. First, the whole thing must be written in the person’s own handwriting—no typing allowed. Second, they have to sign it themselves. That’s it! Wyoming doesn’t even require witnesses to watch the signing, which makes it different from some other places where witnesses are a must. This rule comes straight from Wyoming statute, which says a holographic will is okay if it’s handwritten and signed by the person making it (Wyoming Statutes, Title 2, Section 2-6-113).

So, why does this matter? Imagine your Uncle Joe wrote a note saying, “I want my fishing boat to go to my nephew Tim when I am dead,” and he signed it. If it is established that it’s all in his handwriting, a Wyoming court will probably treat this like other wills.

Now, you might wonder: don’t you need witnesses? For a regular will in Wyoming, you usually need two people to watch you sign it and then sign it themselves while you watch. But here’s the interesting part: a handwritten will doesn’t need witnesses if it’s all in your handwriting and signed by you. However, having witnesses can still be a good idea because it helps prove the will is real if someone argues about it later.

Handwritten wills can be handy because they’re quick and don’t require a lawyer’s help. But they can also cause headaches. If the writing is messy or confusing, people might argue over what it means. Furthermore, other potential heirs may argue that the will is not actually in the person’s handwriting, or that they were forced to write and sign it. A typed will with a lawyer’s help and signed by witnesses can help avoid these issues.

So, yes, a handwritten will can work in Wyoming if it’s done right—all in your handwriting and signed by you. But to avoid trouble for your family later, it’s better to have a traditional will drafted by a lawyer.