Is a Handwritten (Holographic) Will Valid in Georgia? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’ve found a handwritten will after a loved one passed away, you’re probably wondering whether it’s actually valid.

It’s one of the most common probate questions I hear, and the answer isn’t quite as simple as “yes” or “no.”

I’m Brad with Arborview Homebuyers. We help families throughout Metro Atlanta and across the state of Georgia navigate probate and inherited property situations. Whether you’re looking for a fast cash offer for an inherited house or you’d rather list it on the market with a Realtor, we’re here to help.

So let’s talk about handwritten wills in Georgia.

What Is a Handwritten Will?

Many people refer to a handwritten will as a holographic will.

In Georgia, a holographic will is generally considered a handwritten will that has been signed by the person who created it without witnesses. Unfortunately, a handwritten will like that is generally not considered valid in Georgia.

That doesn’t mean you can’t handwrite your will. Georgia law doesn’t prohibit handwritten wills. The important difference is that the will still needs to meet the state’s legal requirements.

Ultimately, the probate court will determine whether a will is valid, which is why it’s always a good idea to have a probate attorney review the document.

What Makes a Handwritten Will Valid in Georgia?

The biggest thing to remember is this:

A will should have at least two witnesses.

Having witnesses sign the document can make all the difference when the will is presented to the probate court.

I also recommend having those witnesses include some type of contact information. It may seem unnecessary at the time, but it can be incredibly helpful years later.

We actually worked on a probate case where we needed to contact one of the witnesses. Thankfully, they had written down their phone number, and we were able to reach them. They confirmed they had witnessed the signing of the will, which helped move the probate process forward.

That’s a great example of why those little details matter.

How I Handled My Own Will

For my personal will, I chose to have an attorney prepare it.

When it came time to sign, I signed the document in front of a notary, and I also had two independent witnesses who were not the notary sign it as well.

Some attorneys may also prepare what’s called a self-proving affidavit. This document helps verify that the will was signed properly and that the person creating the will did so voluntarily and wasn’t under any kind of pressure or duress.

There are situations where a will can be challenged if someone believes it was signed under duress, but that’s a much bigger topic for another conversation.

We Can Also Help With an Inherited House

If you’ve inherited a property and simply don’t want to deal with cleaning it out, making repairs, or listing it for sale, we’d love to talk with you.

We can make you a straightforward cash offer and often close in as little as two weeks. We’ll even buy the home with everything still inside. In fact, most of the probate and inheritance properties we purchase come with personal belongings that the family doesn’t want to sort through.

If selling for cash isn’t the right fit, that’s perfectly fine too. I’m also a licensed real estate agent with One Source in Woodstock, and I’d be happy to help you list the property on the market and get it sold the traditional way.

Whatever path makes the most sense for your situation, we’re here to help you navigate it.

Need Help Navigating Probate?

If you’ve inherited a house and have questions about probate, you’re not alone.

We work with probate cases every day, and if you need a referral to a trusted Georgia probate attorney, we’re happy to connect you with someone from our network who handles these cases regularly.

Getting good legal guidance early can save you a lot of time, stress, and unnecessary complications later on.