Will Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi requires a signed will to be attested by two credible witnesses unless it is wholly written and signed by the testator, and allows execution to be proved by witness affidavits signed when the will is executed.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Mississippi at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Mississippi
How many witnesses does a will need in Mississippi?
A will in Mississippi must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Mississippi rules for wills come from?
They come from Miss. Code 91-5-1 and Miss. Code 91-7-7. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Mississippi compares
Mississippi 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.