Hand Written Wills
by: Wyoming Legal Services (Legal Services Developer)
The hand written will is legal in Wyoming. It is also called a holographic will. Here's are some things you should know . . . .
The will must be in your handwriting only. It must be signed by you.
Once you have written your will, do not allow anyone else to write on it. Marks, changes in another's handwriting or typing will mean that the court will ignore your will.
A holographic will does not have to be dated, but dating it is a very good idea.
This kind of will does not have to be witnessed.
If you are going to write a handwritten will, be sure that you make your meaning clear.
If you don't the court may give your things or money to people you don't want them to go to.
Changing your handwritten will. . . .
If you want to make a change in your handwritten will, you should write a new will with the changes you want. This means you should start over again, write an entirely new will. Do not make changes on the old will, or a judge may throw it out.
Once you have written a new will destroy the old one. Burn it, shred it, or throw it in the trash.
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This website can be used to help you learn the law. It can help you understand your rights. It can assist you in getting the help you need.
If you need more help than this website can give on your specific problem, you should contact a lawyer. If you are low-income and wish to apply for an attorney through Wyoming Legal Services, please click here.
Whether you are low-income or not, if you have questions about your case or are uncertain in any way, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before taking legal action.
Hiring a Lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer is a big deal. Be sure to shop around.
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Hire a lawyer you feel you can trust.
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Deadlines
If you are handling your own case or do not yet have a lawyer, it is very important that you not miss deadlines! You may lose your legal rights if you do not take action right away.
This means getting a lawyer right away if that is what you want.
If you don't have a lawyer call the clerk of court to find out what deadlines apply to you.
Getting It Right
Wyoming LawHelp is offered as public service. We try to make the information correct as of the date of the materials.
Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct, but we are doing our best to give you the best information we can.
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The Wyoming LawHelp is offered as a public service by Wyoming Legal
Services.
Wyoming Legal Services is a statewide program that works to improve
access to justice for Wyoming citizens. Wyoming Legal Services
provides free legal services, including legal analysis, representation,
information and education to low-income persons. We also
provide free advice & referral services to Wyoming senior citizens.
The work of Wyoming Legal Services relies on grantors and private
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The Wyoming LawHelp Stakeholder Advisory Committee includes (in
alphabetical order): Balwin & Crocker, PC, Centros de Recursos Latinos
(Latino Resource Center), The Legal Services Clinic (University of
Wyoming), The Self-Help Center, The Students` Attorney Office
(University of Wyoming), The Wyoming Guardianship Corporation, Wyoming
Legal Services, The Wyoming State Bar Foundation and The Wyoming Supreme
Court
