Replace Text In Legal Missouri Personal Planning Forms For Free

Yes. You can make your own will in Missouri. You do not have to hire an attorney to draft your will. If you know who you want to handle your estate, what assets you have, and who you wish to receive those assets, you can make your will.

Although Missouri does not require a will to be notarized, most Missouri practitioners use two witnesses and a notary to make the will self-proving (see Drafting Note, Self-Proving Affidavit).

Any person who is at least 18 years old and of sound mind can make a will. When is a Will Legal in Missouri? In Missouri, a will is legal when it is signed and the signature was witnessed by two people. A will can be changed through a codicil with the same formalities as when the will was signed.

HANDWRITTEN (HOLOGRAPHIC) WILLS Missouri does not recognize holographic wills (wills that are handwritten by the testator and are not signed and attested by witnesses). All wills must be attested to by two or more competent witnesses. A handwritten will that is witnessed properly by two witnesses is valid.

Handwritten Will: A will written in the testator's own handwriting is valid in Missouri if the testator signs it or directs someone to sign it in his presence and before two witnesses. However, a holographic will which is one written in the testator's handwriting but does not have witnesses, is not valid in Missouri.

In Missouri, a will is legal when it is signed and the signature was witnessed by two people. A will can be changed through a codicil with the same formalities as when the will was signed. For that reason, it is usually easier to replace with a new will.