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A will must be in writing, signed by the person making the will and witnessed by two people. You should visit with an attorney to find out whether you need a will and what it might include.

Can I write my own will and have it notarized Iowa? Yes, you can write your own will in Iowa and have it notarized if you wish. You must make sure that the will meets the state's legal requirements and have it witnessed and signed by at least two competent adults before going to the notary for acknowledgment.

No, in Iowa, you do not need to notarize your will to make it legal. However, Iowa allows you to make your will "self-proving" and you'll need to go to a notary if you want to do that. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

Signature: The will must be signed by the testator or by someone else in the testator's name in the testator's presence, by the testator's direction. Witnesses: An Iowa will must be signed by two individuals after they witness the testator signing the will. Writing: An Iowa will must be in writing.

Handwritten Will: Also called a holographic will, this is a will written entirely in the testator's handwriting and signed by them without witnesses. Holographic wills are not valid in Iowa. However, a testator may handwrite their will and sign it if there are two witnesses.

You can make your own will in Iowa, using Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust. However, you may want to consult a lawyer in some situations. For example, if you think that your will might be contested or if you want to disinherit your spouse, you should talk with an attorney.