Can I write my own will?
Yes, it's the holographic will. You can write your own will: it's the holographic will. To be valid, it must be entirely handwritten by you (not typed, not dictated), precisely dated (day, month, year) and signed. No notary or witness is needed. You can organise the passing of your property, within the limit of the reserved portion (you can't disinherit your children). To avoid it being lost, contested or unfound, it's strongly advised to entrust it to a notary, who will enter it in the central register of last-will dispositions. Other forms exist: the authentic will (before a notary) and the mystic will.
📋 The rules
- Holographic will: entirely handwritten
- Dated (day, month, year) and signed
- No notary or witness required
- Must respect the reserved portion
- Advised: deposit with a notary (central register)
🔓 Exceptions
- Authentic will (notary + witnesses/2 notaries): safer, strong evidential value
- A typed will: void as a holographic will
- Revocation/change possible at any time (new will)
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A non-compliant holographic will (typed, undated, unsigned) is void. A will that encroaches on the reserved portion is reducible (reserved heirs can recover their share). A will hidden, destroyed or forged by a third party exposes them to prosecution (concealment, forgery). To secure your wishes and avoid disputes, depositing with a notary and, if needed, the authentic will are strongly recommended.
📎 Official sources
- Service-Public.fr · Writing a will →
- Légifrance · Civil Code (holographic will, art. 970) →
- Notaires de France · The will →
❓ Frequently asked
Is a handwritten will valid?
Yes, it's the holographic will. It must be entirely handwritten by you, dated (day, month, year) and signed. No notary or witness is needed. A typed will, however, isn't valid.
Do you need a notary for a will?
No for a holographic (handwritten) will. But entrusting your will to a notary is strongly advised: they enter it in the central register, ensuring it's found and applied. The authentic will is made before a notary.
Can you bequeath everything by will?
No. You must respect your children's reserved portion (and, failing that, the spouse's). You can freely dispose only of the available portion. A will exceeding this share is reducible.
How to be sure my will is found?
Deposit it with a notary, who enters it in the central register of last-will dispositions. On your death, the notary handling the succession checks this register and finds the will.
Can you change or revoke your will?
Yes, at any time. You can write a new will revoking the previous one, or destroy the old one. The most recent will prevails. Date each version clearly to avoid ambiguity.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “holographic will handwritten”
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- “deposit will notary register”
- “will reserved portion”
- “change your will”