Are Handwritten Wills Valid in the Philippines?

A common question Filipinos ask when planning their estate is: Are handwritten wills valid in the Philippines? The short answer is yes, but only if they meet very specific legal requirements under Philippine law. A handwritten will is legally recognized as a holographic will, and the rules governing it are strict.

This article explains when a handwritten will is valid, what makes it invalid, and how courts treat handwritten wills during probate, based on the Civil Code and Supreme Court rulings.