Will Requirements in Montana
Montana 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.
Montana at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Montana
How many witnesses does a will need in Montana?
A will in Montana must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Montana?
Yes. Montana allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Montana?
Yes. Montana recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Montana rules for wills come from?
They come from MCA 72-2-522 Execution; witnessed wills; holographic wills and MCA 72-2-524 Self-proved will. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Montana compares
Montana 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.