How to make a will in Louisiana

Louisiana will requirements at a glance

How to sign a will in Louisiana

Two forms only (C.C. art. 1574). NOTARIAL TESTAMENT (C.C. art. 1576 as amended by Acts 2025, No. 30, eff. 2025-08-01): in writing, dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of 2 witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness and the notary. A testator unable to sign may make a mark or direct another to sign in his presence. The old declaration and attestation-clause validity rules (former arts. 1577-1580.1) were repealed. Witnesses must not be insane, blind, under 16 or unable to sign (art. 1581). OLOGRAPHIC TESTAMENT (art. 1575): entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting; no witnesses or notary.

Who can make a will

Anyone 16 or older and of sound mind. A minor 16 or older may make a testament (donation mortis causa). Under 16, a minor may make donations only in favor of a spouse or children (La. C.C. art. 1476).

Witness rules

Two forms only (C.C. art. 1574). NOTARIAL TESTAMENT (C.C. art. 1576 as amended by Acts 2025, No. 30, eff. 2025-08-01): in writing, dated, executed before a notary public in the presence of 2 witnesses, and signed by the testator, each witness and the notary. A testator unable to sign may make a mark or direct another to sign in his presence. The old declaration and attestation-clause validity rules (former arts. 1577-1580.1) were repealed. Witnesses must not be insane, blind, under 16 or unable to sign (art. 1581). OLOGRAPHIC TESTAMENT (art. 1575): entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting; no witnesses or notary.

If a witness inherits: The testament stays valid, but a legacy to a witness or to the notary is invalid. A witness who would be an intestate heir may take the lesser of the intestate share or the legacy (C.C. art. 1582).

Handwritten wills

Olographic testament: entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting. Since 2025-08-01 the signature and date may appear anywhere in the document, and the date may be clarified by extrinsic evidence (C.C. art. 1575).

Self-proving affidavit

Louisiana lets you and your witnesses sign a self-proving affidavit, so the court can accept your will without contacting your witnesses. (La. C.C.P. art. 2887(A) (Acts 2025, No. 30). A notarial testament signed on each page, with the statutory declaration signed by the notary and witnesses (in the testament or in a later affidavit), need not be proved.)

Can I sign my will online in Louisiana?

No. No electronic-testament statute found. Remote online notarization may not be used to execute testaments or codicils (La. R.S. 35:623(B)(1)).

Print your will and sign it on paper with your witnesses in the same room.

Online notarization: R.S. 35:623(B)(1) bars RON for testaments and codicils, and 35:623(C) bars it for authentic acts. (La. R.S. 35:621-630 (Acts 2020, No. 254; RON provisions operative 2022-02-01))

Good to know in Louisiana

To be probated without witness testimony, a notarial testament should be signed on every page and carry the art. 2887 declaration, even though Act 30 of 2025 dropped those rules for validity. The Secretary of State's will registry (R.S. 9:2446) records only information about the will and where it is kept, not the will itself.

Estate and inheritance taxes

Louisiana has no state estate or inheritance tax (2026). The federal estate tax applies only to estates over $15,000,000 per person in 2026, and gifts to charity are deductible.

Louisiana will questions

Does a will need to be notarized in Louisiana?

No. Two witnesses make a Louisiana will valid. A notary is needed only for the optional self-proving affidavit, which lets the court accept your will without contacting your witnesses.

Are handwritten wills legal in Louisiana?

Olographic testament: entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting. Since 2025-08-01 the signature and date may appear anywhere in the document, and the date may be clarified by extrinsic evidence (C.C. art. 1575).

Can a beneficiary witness a will in Louisiana?

The testament stays valid, but a legacy to a witness or to the notary is invalid. A witness who would be an intestate heir may take the lesser of the intestate share or the legacy (C.C. art. 1582).

Can I make a will online in Louisiana?

You can write your will online for free with MyLastWill, then print it and sign it with your witnesses. Louisiana doesn't allow electronic wills, so the will must be signed on paper.

Does Louisiana have an estate or inheritance tax?

Louisiana has no state estate or inheritance tax (2026). The federal estate tax applies only to estates over $15,000,000 per person in 2026, and gifts to charity are deductible.

Last reviewed October 24, 2026 against Louisiana statutes. Laws change, and this is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, talk with a Louisiana attorney.