Will Requirements in Arkansas
An Arkansas will needs the testator's signature and two witnesses, witnesses may sign affidavits so they need not testify, and a will entirely handwritten and signed by the testator can be valid without attesting witnesses.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Arkansas at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Arkansas
How many witnesses does a will need in Arkansas?
A will in Arkansas must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Arkansas rules for wills come from?
They come from Ark. Code 28-25-103 (Execution), Ark. Code 28-25-104 (Holographic will) and Ark. Code 28-25-106 (Affidavits of attesting witnesses). We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas is one of 27 jurisdictions that recognize handwritten wills.
What this means in practice
Sign the will in front of all the witnesses at the same time and have them sign right after you. Many people choose adult witnesses who receive nothing under the will, which avoids questions later.
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and tell your executor where it is. A copy is usually not enough to probate a will.
Changing a will later takes the same formalities: sign a codicil or a new will with witnesses, rather than writing changes on the original.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.