Will Requirements in Minnesota
Minnesota requires a written will signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, allows self-proved wills, and does not recognize holographic wills made in Minnesota.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Minnesota at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Not recognized
The rules in Minnesota
How many witnesses does a will need in Minnesota?
A will in Minnesota must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota does not recognize unwitnessed handwritten wills made under its own law.
Where do the Minnesota rules for wills come from?
They come from Minn. Stat. 524.2-502 Execution; witnessed wills and Minn. Stat. 524.2-504 Self-proved will. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Minnesota compares
27 jurisdictions recognize handwritten wills; Minnesota 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.