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California Last Will and Testament

Quick answer: a California will must be signed by the testator and two witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code 6110); notarization is not required for validity, and a self-proving affidavit (Cal. Prob. Code 8220) eases probate. Details below.

A last will and testament lets you name an executor, a guardian for minor children, and the people who inherit your estate. In California, a will generally must be signed by the testator and two witnesses; notarization is not required for the will to be valid (Cal. Prob. Code 6110). California also recognizes self-proving affidavits (Cal. Prob. Code 8220), which let the will enter probate without tracking down the witnesses.

This template walks you through your executor, your beneficiaries, and any specific gifts, then produces a California will ready to print and sign following the requirements below, in Word and PDF.

Create your California last will and testamentRead the full Last Will and Testament guide

California will signing requirements

California last will and testament requirements at a glance
WitnessesTwo witnesses
NotarizationNot required for the will to be valid; a notary comes in only for the optional self-proving affidavit
Self-proving affidavitRecognized (Cal. Prob. Code 8220)
Holographic (handwritten) willsRecognized (Cal. Prob. Code 6111)
StatuteCal. Prob. Code 6110

California does not use a separate notarized affidavit: the witnesses sign the attestation clause under penalty of perjury, which lets the will be admitted without live testimony.

The signature and the material provisions must be in the testator's handwriting.

Verify before you rely on it

Wills statutes change, and probate courts apply them strictly. Confirm the current California requirement in the statute cited above (or with your state's self-help resources) before signing your will.

California last will and testament requirements

Execution is where wills succeed or fail, and the California rule is concrete: a will must be signed by the testator and two witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code 6110). Use disinterested witnesses (people who inherit nothing under the will) whenever possible: an interested witness can complicate probate even where the statute tolerates one.

Do not confuse notarization with validity. A California will stands on the testator's signature and the witnesses' attestation; no notary is needed for the will itself. Where a notary helps is the self-proving affidavit (Cal. Prob. Code 8220), a separate sworn statement that spares the witnesses from testifying later.

California recognizes self-proving wills (Cal. Prob. Code 8220): California does not use a separate notarized affidavit: the witnesses sign the attestation clause under penalty of perjury, which lets the will be admitted without live testimony. Years or decades can pass between signing and probate, and witnesses move, forget, or die; the affidavit removes that entire risk for the cost of a few extra signatures.

California recognizes holographic (handwritten, unwitnessed) wills (Cal. Prob. Code 6111), provided that the signature and the material provisions must be in the testator's handwriting. Treat that as an emergency option, not a plan: handwritten wills invite disputes over handwriting, completeness, and intent that a properly witnessed, typed will never faces.

Inside the formalities, the will itself should name an executor (and an alternate) to administer the estate, a guardian for minor children if any, the beneficiaries with clear shares, and any specific gifts. Assets with their own beneficiary designations (life insurance, retirement accounts, transfer-on-death titles) pass outside the will, so align those designations with the plan rather than assuming the will controls them.

How to complete a last will and testament in California, step by step

Writing a valid California will is a sequence, and each step exists because a probate court will one day examine the result.

  1. Inventory what the will controls. List your assets and mark which pass by beneficiary designation (life insurance, retirement accounts, transfer-on-death titles) rather than by will. The will governs the rest, and knowing the boundary prevents contradictory instructions.
  2. Choose the executor and guardians. Name an executor you trust with paperwork and deadlines, plus an alternate. If you have minor children, name a guardian and a backup: this designation alone is reason enough for many parents to write a will.
  3. Decide the distribution. Set out beneficiaries and shares in plain terms, including what happens if a beneficiary does not survive you. Specific gifts (a vehicle, an heirloom, a sum of money) come first, then the residuary clause sweeps up everything else.
  4. Complete the will with the guided form. The questionnaire on the main page walks through executor, guardians, beneficiaries, and specific gifts, and assembles the will as you answer. Download it in Word and PDF, then read the whole document once before the signing.
  5. Hold the signing ceremony. Sign it in the presence of two witnesses as Cal. Prob. Code 6110 requires, and have them sign in your presence. Use disinterested witnesses who inherit nothing under the will.
  6. Add the self-proving affidavit and store the will. Sign the self-proving affidavit (Cal. Prob. Code 8220) at the same sitting, then store the original will where your executor can find it and tell them where it is. Do not lock the only copy where nobody can reach it.

How this template works in California

Answer guided questions about your executor, guardians for minor children, and beneficiaries, and the will writes itself in front of you. Then print it and sign it with your witnesses following the California requirements above; a will has no effect until it is properly signed.

The form, the live preview, and the full guide live on the main Last Will and Testament page.

California last will and testament FAQ

How many witnesses does a will need in California?

A California will must be signed by two witnesses (Cal. Prob. Code 6110). Choose disinterested witnesses who take nothing under the will.

Does a will have to be notarized in California?

No. Validity in California comes from the testator's signature and the witnesses, not from a notary. Notarization appears only in the optional self-proving affidavit (Cal. Prob. Code 8220), which simplifies probate but is not required for the will to be valid.

Is a handwritten will valid in California?

Yes, California recognizes holographic wills (Cal. Prob. Code 6111), provided that the signature and the material provisions must be in the testator's handwriting. They remain an emergency option: a typed, witnessed will is far harder to challenge.

What happens if I die without a will in California?

Your estate passes under the California intestacy statutes, which distribute property to relatives in a fixed order that may not match your wishes, and the probate court chooses the administrator and any guardians without your input. A valid will replaces that default scheme with your own decisions, which is the core reason to write one.

Last Will and Testament in other states