Will Requirements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires a written will signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, allows a will to be made self-proved with a notarized acknowledgment and witness affidavits, and does not recognize holographic wills.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Massachusetts at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Not recognized
The rules in Massachusetts
How many witnesses does a will need in Massachusetts?
A will in Massachusetts must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills made under its own law.
Where do the Massachusetts rules for wills come from?
They come from M.G.L. c. 190B 2-502 Execution; witnessed wills, Mass. General Laws c.190B 2-502 and Mass. General Laws c.190B 2-504 Self-proved will. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Massachusetts compares
27 jurisdictions recognize handwritten wills; Massachusetts 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.