A guideline for writing your will. It is not very expensive to have an attorney draft a will for you. Even though you can write your own will, there are large numbers of contingencies and special considerations you may not be aware of that a lawyer will readily identify for you. Failure to deal with these items appropriately can thwart your intent as well as be expensive. Only if you are adamant in your refusal to consult an attorney, should you consider drafting your own will.
Idaho law recognizes handwritten wills, referred to as holographic wills.
Material provisions of the will and the signature must be in the handwriting of the person making the will. Although it is not necessary to have the will dated, witnessed, or notarized, it is a good idea to date your will to avoid confusion if you should have more than one will. So, if for some reason you cannot handwrite your own will, you will have to seek the assistance of an attorney. If you choose to write your own will, you can use the following clauses and provisions, modifying them to suit your particular needs. Remember, the will must be in your handwriting, and must be signed by you.