How to Make a Valid Will in Connecticut
What Connecticut law requires for a valid will: age, signing, witnesses, handwritten wills and self-proving affidavits.
Short answer: Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and signed by two witnesses, each signing in the will-maker's presence. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 45a-250, 45a-251
| Requirements for a valid will | Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and signed by two witnesses, each signing in the will-maker's presence. A will made outside Connecticut that follows the law of the place where it was signed can also be admitted to probate. |
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| Handwritten (holographic) wills | No, not for wills signed in Connecticut: a will must be signed by two witnesses to be valid. A handwritten will that was validly made under the law of the state or country where it was signed can be admitted to probate in Connecticut. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-251 |
| Self-proving affidavit | Yes. The attesting witnesses can sign an affidavit before an officer authorized to give oaths (such as a notary), either at the will-maker's request while living or after death, stating the facts they would testify to in court. The affidavit is written on or attached to the will, and the Probate Court accepts it as if the witnesses testified in court. Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 45a-285 |
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FAQ
What makes a will valid in Connecticut?
Anyone 18 or older and of sound mind may make a will. The will must be in writing, signed by the will-maker, and signed by two witnesses, each signing in the will-maker's presence. A will made outside Connecticut that follows the law of the place where it was signed can also be admitted to probate.
Is a handwritten will valid in Connecticut?
No, not for wills signed in Connecticut: a will must be signed by two witnesses to be valid. A handwritten will that was validly made under the law of the state or country where it was signed can be admitted to probate in Connecticut.
Does a will need to be notarized in Connecticut?
Yes. The attesting witnesses can sign an affidavit before an officer authorized to give oaths (such as a notary), either at the will-maker's request while living or after death, stating the facts they would testify to in court. The affidavit is written on or attached to the will, and the Probate Court accepts it as if the witnesses testified in court.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.