Will Requirements in West Virginia
A West Virginia will must be signed or acknowledged before two competent witnesses present at the same time unless it is wholly in the testator's handwriting, and witnesses can sign an affidavit to self-prove it.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
West Virginia at a glance
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Self-proving affidavit
- Allowed
- Handwritten (holographic) wills
- Recognized
The rules in West Virginia
How many witnesses does a will need in West Virginia?
A will in West Virginia must be signed in front of two witnesses, who sign it too.
Can a will be self-proved in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia allows a self-proving affidavit, which lets a court accept the will without calling the witnesses to testify.
Is a handwritten will valid in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia recognizes handwritten (holographic) wills that meet its requirements.
Where do the West Virginia rules for wills come from?
They come from W. Va. Code 41-1-3 and W. Va. Code 41-5-15. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia 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.