Will Requirements in Nebraska
Nebraska requires a written will signed by the testator and at least two witnesses, recognizes holographic wills with the signature, material provisions, and date in the testator's handwriting, and allows self-proved wills.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Nebraska at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in Nebraska
How many witnesses does a will need in Nebraska?
A will in Nebraska must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the Nebraska rules for wills come from?
They come from Neb. Rev. Stat. 30-2327, Neb. Rev. Stat. 30-2328 Holographic will and Neb. Rev. Stat. 30-2329 Self-proved will. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Nebraska compares
Nebraska 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.