A handwritten will, referred to as a holographic will, is recognized as a valid and binding will in Texas if the will fulfills two requirements. First, the will must be completely written in the testator’s handwriting only. The testator is the legal name for the individual who is drafting the will. The will can be drafted on almost any material, as long as the testator’s handwriting is legible. In addition, the will must be signed by the testator to be recognized as a valid will in Texas. If the will is only partially handwritten or is lacking the testator’s signature, the will’s validity may be open for dispute or challenge.

If the will includes the date the will is drafted, this will help the probate court determine whether the testator executed a will after the handwritten will. In addition, the date the handwritten will is drafted may support the testator’s intent to have the will be recognized as binding. For example, the testator may draft a holographic will in an emergency situation when the testator does not have time to fulfill the requirements of executing a standard will.