Every state has statutory requirements dictating what makes a Will valid. Texas is no different. For a Will to be valid in Texas, the person making the Will (the testator) must have legal capacity, testamentary capacity, and testamentary intent. Additionally, the testator must follow specific formalities.

Your beneficiary can be a partner, adult child, parent, sibling, other family member, trusted friend, or even a charity or other organization. There are a few restrictions on who you can name as your beneficiary; for example, you can't leave your payout directly to a minor.

In order to make a valid handwritten will in Texas, the entire document must be in your own handwriting. No one can write any part of it except for you, and no part of it can be typed. You can write in cursive or print, but the entire will must be in your handwriting only.

A simple will — also called a basic will — is one of the most common will types. In it, you state who you want to have your property and assets after you die. Some people think a lawyer has to write a will for it to be valid. Others think a will is too complicated a document to make on their own.

As a single person, a Will is needed for an executor to carry out your final wishes. Without a Will in place, there may be disputes between your relatives and close friends, as to what your wishes were regarding your estate and personal belongings. Therefore, simply make a will and avoid that heartache.

Understanding Intestate Laws The state receives the assets if there are no surviving relatives. When a single person dies intestacy, the surviving parents and siblings as a rule inherit equal shares of the estate. If one parent is deceased, however, the surviving one inherits both shares.

For a Will to be valid in Texas, the person making the Will (the testator) must have legal capacity, testamentary capacity, and testamentary intent. Additionally, the testator must follow specific formalities.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Texas? No. You can make your own will in Texas, using a good self-help product like Nolo's Quicken WillMaker programs. However, you may want to consult a lawyer in some situations.

Holographic wills, also called handwritten wills, are accepted in Texas. To be valid, a holographic will must be written entirely in your handwriting and signed by you. As long as you follow these two requirements, you don't need witnesses to make your holographic will valid.