Will Requirements in Connecticut
A Connecticut will must be signed by the testator and attested by two witnesses, witnesses may sign affidavits so they need not testify, and handwritten unwitnessed wills are not valid unless executed validly in another state or country.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Connecticut at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Not recognized
The rules in Connecticut
How many witnesses does a will need in Connecticut?
A will in Connecticut must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Connecticut?
No. Connecticut does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills made under its own law.
Where do the Connecticut rules for wills come from?
They come from Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-251 (Making and execution of wills), chapter 802a and Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-285 (Proof of will out of court), chapter 802b. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Connecticut compares
27 jurisdictions recognize handwritten wills; Connecticut is not one of them, so a will made there should be witnessed.
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.