where are holographic wills accepted 
it s important to note that state probate law ultimately decides the treatment of all wills within its borders some states will accept holographic wills to varying degrees these states include alaska arizona arkansas california colorado hawaii idaho kentucky louisiana maine michigan mississippi montana nebraska nevada new jersey north carolina north dakota oklahoma pennsylvania south dakota tennessee texas utah virginia west virginia and wyoming in some states holographic wills made within the state are not recognized but such wills that are made within jurisdictions where holographic wills are recognized are accepted under foreign wills provisions in order for a holographic will to be recognized as valid under a foreign wills provision where this practice is legal the holographic will must have been made in a jurisdiction that recognizes holographic wills states with foreign wills or foreign testament provisions are alabama connecticut indiana iowa kansas massachusetts minnesota missouri new hampshire new mexico oregon rhode island south carolina vermont washington and wisconsin 3in new york and maryland holographic wills are only recognized if they are made by a member of the armed forces in maryland these wills remain valid only for one year after the testator leaves the armed forces unless they are no longer of sound mind under the law at that time 4 in new york such a will is valid for one year after the testator is discharged from the armed forces or for one year after they regain a testamentary capacity whichever happens last 5