Is an Online Will Legal in Louisiana?

An online service can prepare the text of a valid Louisiana testament, but execution follows Louisiana's civil-law forms. The standard path is the notarial testament: prepared in writing, dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary (Civil Code art. 1576, as revised in 2025). The alternative is the olographic testament, entirely written, dated, and signed in the testator's own hand.

Published: August 16, 2026Statutes verified: August 16, 2026

The Answer at a Glance

Prepare the will online

Valid

Whether a will drafted with online software can become a valid Louisiana will.

Sign it fully remotely

Paper signing

Whether Louisiana recognizes an electronic will executed without an in-person paper signing.

What this means for you

Louisiana requires the notary as part of signing itself, not as an optional add-on, so plan on a notary appointment for a typed will. Sign every page and ask the notary to include the Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887 declaration: that makes the testament self-proving, so the court orders it filed and executed without witness testimony.

What Louisiana Law Requires

The governing law is La. Civ. Code arts. 1573-1582.1 (forms of testaments), as revised by Acts 2025, No. 30 (eff. Aug. 1, 2025); proof of notarial testaments at La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 2887 and 2891. Each rule below links to the official source it was read from.

Requirement	The Louisiana rule	Statute
Who can make a will	Age 16 or older, able to comprehend generally the nature and consequences of the disposition being made (art. 1477).	La. Civ. Code arts. 1476, 1477
Written document	Required.	La. Civ. Code art. 1574
Signature	The testator signs. If the testator is unable to sign, the testator may affix his mark in place of signing or direct another person to sign on behalf of the testator and in the presence of the testator (art. 1576(A)). For the testament to be self-proving, the person directed to sign must sign each separate page and the art. 2887 declaration must say so (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2887(A)(2)).	La. Civ. Code art. 1576
Witnesses	2. The notarial testament must be dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary (art. 1576(A)).	La. Civ. Code art. 1576
Notarization	Required as part of execution. Louisiana is the exception among the states: the notary is part of the execution itself. The standard witnessed form is the notarial testament, executed before a notary public and two witnesses. Only the olographic testament (art. 1575) is made without a notary.	La. Civ. Code art. 1576

Signing Day in Louisiana

The notarial testament must be dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary (art. 1576(A)).

A person cannot be a witness to any testament if the person is insane, blind, under the age of 16, or unable to sign his name (art. 1581, as amended by Acts 2025, No. 30).

The self-proving step worth adding

A notarial testament needs no proof at probate if it is signed on each separate page at execution and is accompanied by the art. 2887(A) declaration, signed by the notary and the subscribing witnesses, stating that in their presence the testator declared or signified the instrument to be his testament and signed each separate page. A compliant testament is ordered filed and executed on production, which has the effect of probate (La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2891). A notarial testament without these features is still valid but must be proved by testimony or affidavit under art. 2887(B). Both articles were enacted by Acts 2025, No. 30, which applies prospectively and retroactively. Timing: at execution, by including the declaration in the testament itself, or afterwards, by an affidavit executed after the testament.

Choose witnesses carefully

The fact that a witness or the notary is a legatee does not invalidate the testament, but a legacy to a witness or the notary is invalid; if the witness would be an heir in intestacy, the witness may receive the lesser of his intestate share or the legacy (art. 1582). A legacy to a witness's spouse is likewise invalid, with the same intestate-share savings, if the witness is the legatee's spouse at execution (art. 1582.1).

Shortcuts Louisiana Does and Does Not Recognize

Handwritten (holographic) wills

Yes

An olographic testament must be entirely written, dated, and signed in the handwriting of the testator, and is subject to no other requirement as to form. The signature may appear anywhere and is sufficient if it identifies the testator and evidences intent to adopt the document; the date may appear anywhere and may be clarified by extrinsic evidence (art. 1575, as amended by Acts 2025, No. 30).

Louisiana's own vocabulary is 'olographic testament', not 'holographic will'. Additions and deletions made after execution are given effect only if made by the hand of the testator. (La. Civ. Code art. 1575)

Oral wills

Art. 1574 provides that there are two forms of testaments, olographic and notarial, and neither is oral; the formalities must be observed or the testament is absolutely null (art. 1573). La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2891 still names the 'nuncupative testament by public act', a form from the law in force before the 1997 revision of testament forms (Acts 1997, No. 1421, eff. July 1, 1999); current law provides no oral form. (La. Civ. Code art. 1574)

Electronic wills

Louisiana has no electronic-testament statute. The only recognized forms (art. 1574) are the olographic testament, entirely in the testator's own handwriting, and the notarial testament, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses (art. 1576); a testament outside these forms is absolutely null (art. 1573). (La. Civ. Code arts. 1574, 1576)

A Will Signed in Another State

A testamentary disposition is valid as to form if it is in writing and is made in conformity with (1) the law of Louisiana, (2) the law of the state of making at the time of making, (3) the law of the state in which the testator was domiciled at the time of making or at the time of death, or (4) with regard to immovables, the law that would be applied by the courts of the state where the immovables are situated (art. 3528). (La. Civ. Code art. 3528)

Keep Going

The full Louisiana will-requirements guide covers capacity, revocation, and what happens when formalities fail.
Louisiana estate planning sets the will beside the other documents a complete plan needs.
A Louisiana revocable living trust is the main alternative when avoiding probate is the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my will online in Louisiana?

Does a Louisiana will need to be notarized?

Yes. In Louisiana a notary is part of the execution formality itself (La. Civ. Code art. 1576). Louisiana is the exception among the states: the notary is part of the execution itself. The standard witnessed form is the notarial testament, executed before a notary public and two witnesses. Only the olographic testament (art. 1575) is made without a notary.

How many witnesses does a Louisiana will need?

2. The notarial testament must be dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary (art. 1576(A)). (La. Civ. Code art. 1576)

Are handwritten (holographic) wills valid in Louisiana?

Yes. An olographic testament must be entirely written, dated, and signed in the handwriting of the testator, and is subject to no other requirement as to form. The signature may appear anywhere and is sufficient if it identifies the testator and evidences intent to adopt the document; the date may appear anywhere and may be clarified by extrinsic evidence (art. 1575, as amended by Acts 2025, No. 30). Louisiana's own vocabulary is 'olographic testament', not 'holographic will'. Additions and deletions made after execution are given effect only if made by the hand of the testator. (La. Civ. Code art. 1575)

Are electronic wills legal in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana has no electronic-testament statute. The only recognized forms (art. 1574) are the olographic testament, entirely in the testator's own handwriting, and the notarial testament, executed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses (art. 1576); a testament outside these forms is absolutely null (art. 1573). (La. Civ. Code arts. 1574, 1576)

Is a will made in another state valid in Louisiana?

Generally yes, within the statute’s terms. A testamentary disposition is valid as to form if it is in writing and is made in conformity with (1) the law of Louisiana, (2) the law of the state of making at the time of making, (3) the law of the state in which the testator was domiciled at the time of making or at the time of death, or (4) with regard to immovables, the law that would be applied by the courts of the state where the immovables are situated (art. 3528). (La. Civ. Code art. 3528)

SourcesOfficial references used for this page

Verified against La. Civ. Code arts. 1573-1582.1 (forms of testaments), as revised by Acts 2025, No. 30 (eff. Aug. 1, 2025); proof of notarial testaments at La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 2887 and 2891 on August 16, 2026

Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Louisiana can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.

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