State-Specific Last Will & Testament Kit Requirements

Use this chart with the Harner Legal Forms Last Will & Testament Kit before signing the will included in the kit, using the Personal Property Memorandum, or signing the Designation of Agent for Disposition of Remains and Funeral Instructions. The Personal Property Memorandum is used for tangible personal property. This chart addresses the ordinary printed paper will included in the kit; it does not cover holographic, oral, electronic, remote-signing, military, emergency, or other special forms of wills.

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026

Important: This page provides general state-law information, not legal advice. Laws, statutory forms, court procedures, and funeral-provider practices can change. State law controls if it differs from this summary or the general kit instructions. If your circumstances are unusual, you expect a dispute, or you are unsure how to sign a document, consult a lawyer licensed in your state before signing.

Recommended signing method for the printed will in this kit

Unless your state row below gives a special instruction, the safest way to sign the will included in the Harner Legal Forms kit is:

  1. Complete every applicable blank before anyone signs.
  2. Use two competent adult witnesses. Prefer witnesses who are not beneficiaries and are not married to beneficiaries.
  3. Have the Testator and both witnesses physically together for one signing ceremony.
  4. The Testator should state that the document is the Testator's Will and sign or acknowledge the signature while both witnesses are present.
  5. Both witnesses should sign before the group separates.
  6. If you want the Will to be self-proving, follow the separate state-specific self-proof procedure shown below. Notarization of a self-proof affidavit does not replace the Will-signing formalities unless state law specifically provides an alternative route.

Louisiana residents — special execution required

Use the dedicated Louisiana attestation page included in the kit. A Louisiana notarial testament requires the Testator, two qualified witnesses, and a notary to execute the statutory attestation formalities together. The Testator signs at the end and on each separate page. Do not use the generic self-proving affidavit as a substitute for Louisiana's execution requirements.

How to read the chart

Self-proving / probate proof

A valid Will and a self-proved Will are not the same thing. Self-proof is generally an optional evidentiary shortcut that can make probate easier. The generic self-proof page in this kit should not be assumed to satisfy every state's wording or procedure. When the chart says to use a state-specific procedure, use the current procedure for that state.

Optional self-proof Witness-proof / special procedure No classic self-proof

Personal Property Memorandum

The Personal Property Memorandum is used for tangible personal property. The general kit instruction saying that a Personal Property Memorandum may be updated later without signing a new Will applies only where the state row is marked Recognized. In a Limited state, the writing generally must already exist when the Will is signed or later changes may require Will/codicil formalities. In a Do Not Rely state, do not assume the separate memorandum will make a testamentary gift.

Recognized Limited Do Not Rely

Disposition of Remains and Funeral Instructions

Some states permit a general written designation, while others require special witnessing/notarization, a statutory form, an advance directive or power of attorney, or another state-specific document. If the row says State form / other document, do not assume the generic kit form alone gives the named Agent statutory priority.

General written route Special execution State form / other document Written directions
State Will Signing Self-Proving / Probate Proof Personal Property Memorandum Disposition of Remains
No matching state found.