Estate PlanningPennsylvania

Pennsylvania Last Will and Testament

A last will and testament lets you name an executor, a guardian for minor children, and the people who inherit your estate. In Pennsylvania, a will generally must be signed by the testator, and notarization is not required for the will to be valid (20 Pa. Cons. Stat. 2502). Pennsylvania also recognizes self-proving affidavits (20 Pa. Cons. Stat. 3132.1), 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 Pennsylvania will ready to print and sign following the requirements below, in Word and PDF.

Create your Pennsylvania last will and testament Read the full Last Will and Testament guide

Pennsylvania will signing requirements

Pennsylvania last will and testament requirements at a glance
Witnesses	None required for a will the testator signs personally
Notarization	Not required for the will to be valid; a notary comes in only for the optional self-proving affidavit
Self-proving affidavit	Recognized (20 Pa. Cons. Stat. 3132.1)
Holographic (handwritten) wills	Recognized (20 Pa. Cons. Stat. 2502)
Statute	20 Pa. Cons. Stat. 2502

Pennsylvania does not require attesting witnesses when the testator signs the will personally (two witnesses are required if the testator signs by mark), but two witnesses must prove the signature at probate, so having two witnesses sign remains the standard practice.

A will entirely in your handwriting and signed at the end is valid because Pennsylvania requires no attesting witnesses; two witnesses must still prove the signature at probate.

Verify before you rely on it

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

How this template works in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania 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.

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Pennsylvania will signing requirements

How this template works in Pennsylvania

Last Will and Testament in other states