Will Requirements in Indiana
An Indiana will must be signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, can include a self-proving clause, and Indiana does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Indiana at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Witness affidavit
- Allows a self-proving affidavit signed by the witnesses; no notary required
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Not recognized
The rules in Indiana
How many witnesses does a will need in Indiana?
A will in Indiana must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Indiana?
Yes, through the witnesses. Indiana allows a self-proving affidavit signed by the witnesses; no notary required.
Is a handwritten will valid in Indiana?
No. Indiana does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills made under its own law.
Where do the Indiana rules for wills come from?
They come from Ind. Code 29-1-5-3 (Execution of wills) and Ind. Code 29-1-5-3.1 (Self-proving clause). We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Indiana compares
27 jurisdictions recognize handwritten wills; Indiana 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.