Will Templates and Models: Holographic Will Format and Key Requirements
TimeWill Editorial Team · Updated 2026-07-05 · Reviewed by the product team
A holographic will in China is valid only if entirely handwritten, signed, and dated (year, month, day) by the testator, with all three elements present. Describe property precisely, with account numbers and addresses, and identify heirs by full name and ID number. Printed wills require two uninterested witnesses to sign and date every page. For real estate, company equity, or complex family situations, notarization is recommended. This article offers templates for reference only and does not replace professional legal advice.
The biggest fear in writing a will is that it turns out invalid after you're gone. This guide lays out the legal requirements for a holographic will in China, template language for common situations, and the most frequent reasons wills get thrown out, so you can write one that holds up. Further reading: How to Write a Will, Step by Step.
Legal Requirements for a Holographic Will
Article 1134 of China's Civil Code: a holographic will must be entirely handwritten, signed, and dated (year, month, and day) by the testator. Miss any one of these three elements and the will can be ruled invalid. Printed wills don't qualify. Wills written by someone else on your behalf don't qualify. You must write every character yourself. In the U.S., requirements differ by state, about half require two witnesses for any will, holographic wills are recognized in some states but not others.
- Entirely handwritten — Every character in your own hand. Use a black pen on A4 paper.
- Full signature — Your full legal name, matching your ID card. No nicknames.
- Year, month, and day — Write the full date: 'July 5, 2026,' not just '2026.'
- Describe property precisely — Specify account numbers, addresses, and shares.
- Identify heirs clearly — Full name, ID number, and relationship for each heir.
Template 1: Simple Holographic Will
Will. I, [Name] (ID No. [X]), declare the following: 1. The property at [Address] shall pass to my spouse [Name] (ID No. [X]). 2. The savings in my [Bank] account [No.] shall pass to my son [Name] (ID No. [X]). 3. All other property of mine shall pass to my spouse [Name]. This will is entirely handwritten by me, I am of sound mind, and I make it voluntarily. Testator: [Signature]. July 5, 2026.
Template 2: Will with Minor Children
Beyond property, focus on guardianship: name a guardian for minor children (the other parent must consent or be deceased); name a property manager (a trusted relative or lawyer); and set staged inheritance conditions, such as 50 percent at age 18 and the remainder at 25. For substantial assets, notarization is recommended. Further reading: Will Notarization Process Explained.
Template 3: Including Digital Assets
Digital assets should be listed in the will, but because passwords change, the credentials written in a will are likely stale by the time it's read. The right approach: state in the will that 'my digital asset list and credentials are held in an encrypted digital will, to be released to the designated person upon trigger,' and store the actual credentials in a digital tool. Further reading: Complete Digital Will Guide.
Common Reasons Wills Are Ruled Invalid
- Missing date — The single most common reason a holographic will fails.
- Printed will without witnesses — A printed will needs two uninterested witnesses.
- Made under duress — A will made under coercion or fraud is void.
- Disposing of others' property — You can't give away property that belongs to someone else, such as a spouse's share of joint property.
- Lack of capacity — A will written while mentally incapacitated can be challenged; a medical record helps.
- Conflicting wills — When multiple wills conflict, the last one in time prevails.
How to Store a Finished Will
Keep two copies: one in a secure place at home (a locked drawer or safe) and one with a trusted person. Tell at least one reliable person where the will is. For important wills, notarization or a lawyer's witness review creates an official record. Store the digital portion encrypted in TimeWill.
Disclaimer
This article provides format references for writing a will and does not constitute legal advice. China's Civil Code sets strict requirements for will validity; U.S. states and other countries have their own formal requirements. For important legal arrangements, consult a qualified lawyer or notary.
FAQ
Q: Can a holographic will be printed?
No. Under Article 1136 of China's Civil Code, a printed will requires two uninterested witnesses present, with both the testator and the witnesses signing and dating every page. A holographic will, by contrast, must be entirely handwritten by the testator.
Q: Can a will cover digital assets?
Yes. Digital assets like WeChat, Alipay, cryptocurrency, and social accounts can be listed in a will. But because passwords change frequently, the will itself is the wrong place for the actual credentials. Encrypt them in a digital tool and set a trigger to release them. See the Complete Digital Will Guide.
Q: Does every page of a will need to be signed?
For a holographic will, sign every page and date it; a multi-page will can use a crossed-page (骑缝) signature to prevent pages being swapped. For a printed will, the law requires the testator and both witnesses to sign and date every page.
Q: Which carries more weight, a holographic will or a notarized will?
China's Civil Code removed the old rule that gave a notarized will priority. When multiple wills conflict, the last one in time prevails, regardless of type. That said, a notarized will is far harder to challenge, so for complex situations notarization is still recommended.