What is a Holographic Will?
A holographic will is a short-term solution for creating a will. While the holographic will won’t prevent your estate from going through probate court, a holographic will may help the probate judge assign your assets according to your wishes.
You create a holographic will by handwriting your wishes and signing your name. In order for a probate judge to acknowledge the validity of your short-term will, you will have to include some specific language. While you can find a few templates for holographic wills online, you are best served by getting the language for a holographic will from an estate attorney.
A holographic will should only be used for a few weeks. Generally, you will create a holographic will while an attorney creates or edits your permanent will. Some people wait until the end of their lives to create a will. If you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have no will, create a holographic will immediately. Once you’ve finished with your official will, your holographic will be void. However, if you pass before your lawyer can finish your final will, your family will predicate the effort.
