How to Make a Valid Will in Louisiana
What Louisiana law requires for a valid will: age, signing, witnesses, handwritten wills and self-proving affidavits.
Short answer: Louisiana calls a will a 'testament.' A person 16 or older may make a testament, and must be able to understand generally the nature and consequences of the disposition. La. Civ. Code arts. 1476, 1477, 1576, 1581
| Requirements for a valid will | Louisiana calls a will a 'testament.' A person 16 or older may make a testament, and must be able to understand generally the nature and consequences of the disposition. A notarial testament must be in writing, dated, and signed by the testator, two witnesses, and a notary, executed before the notary in the presence of the two witnesses. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. A witness cannot be insane, blind, under 16, or unable to sign his or her name. Louisiana's testament-form rules were rewritten by Acts 2025, No. 30 (effective August 1, 2025), which dropped the attestation-clause and every-page-signing requirements for validity. Those steps now matter for making the testament self-proving. Capacity: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108796 and https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108797; witnesses: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108907. |
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| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Yes. Louisiana calls it an 'olographic testament.' It must be entirely written, dated, and signed in the testator's own handwriting; no witnesses or notary are needed. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. Later additions or deletions count only if made in the testator's handwriting. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 1575 |
| Self-proving affidavit | A notarial testament needs no further proof in court if it is signed on each page and includes a declaration, signed by the notary and witnesses, that the testator declared it to be his testament and signed each page. The same declaration may instead be made in a separate affidavit signed by the notary and witnesses after the testament was signed. Otherwise, the testament is proved by testimony (or affidavits) of the notary and witnesses. Added by Acts 2025, No. 30, effective August 1, 2025. Source: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2887 |
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FAQ
What makes a will valid in Louisiana?
Louisiana calls a will a 'testament.' A person 16 or older may make a testament, and must be able to understand generally the nature and consequences of the disposition. A notarial testament must be in writing, dated, and signed by the testator, two witnesses, and a notary, executed before the notary in the presence of the two witnesses. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. A witness cannot be insane, blind, under 16, or unable to sign his or her name.
Is a handwritten will valid in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana calls it an 'olographic testament.' It must be entirely written, dated, and signed in the testator's own handwriting; no witnesses or notary are needed. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. Later additions or deletions count only if made in the testator's handwriting.
Does a will need to be notarized in Louisiana?
A notarial testament needs no further proof in court if it is signed on each page and includes a declaration, signed by the notary and witnesses, that the testator declared it to be his testament and signed each page. The same declaration may instead be made in a separate affidavit signed by the notary and witnesses after the testament was signed. Otherwise, the testament is proved by testimony (or affidavits) of the notary and witnesses.
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.