Will Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky requires a signed written will witnessed by two credible witnesses, unless the will is wholly written in the testator's own handwriting, and a will can be made self-proved with a notarized acknowledgment and witness affidavits.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Kentucky at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Kentucky
How many witnesses does a will need in Kentucky?
A will in Kentucky must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Kentucky rules for wills come from?
They come from KRS 394.040 Requisites of valid will, KRS 394.225 Self-proved wills and KRS 394.710 Attestation and self-proving of electronic wills. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky 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.