Will Requirements in Maine
Maine requires a written will signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, recognizes holographic wills whose signature and material portions are in the testator's handwriting, and allows self-proved wills.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Maine at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Maine
How many witnesses does a will need in Maine?
A will in Maine must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Maine?
Yes. Maine allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Maine?
Yes. Maine recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Maine rules for wills come from?
They come from 18-C M.R.S. 2-502 Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills and 18-C M.R.S. 2-503 Self-proved will. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Maine compares
Maine 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.