Making a Will in Idaho

How to write a will in Idaho, and what can happen if you don't have one.

Updated by , Attorney · University of Arkansas School of Law
Updated by Jeff Burtka, Attorney · George Mason University Law School

Steps to Create a Will in Idaho

Here's a quick checklist for making a will in Idaho:

  1. Decide what property to include in your will.
  2. Decide who will inherit your property.
  3. Choose an executor to handle your estate.
  4. Choose a guardian for your children.
  5. Choose someone to manage children's property.
  6. Make your will.
  7. Sign your will in front of witnesses.
  8. Store your will safely.

Why Should I Make an Idaho Will?

A will, also called a "last will and testament," can help you protect your family and your property. You can use a will to:

  • leave your property to people or organizations
  • name a personal guardian to care for your minor children
  • name a trusted person to manage property you leave to minor children, and
  • name a personal representative, the person who makes sure that the terms of your will are carried out.

What Happens if I Don't Have a will?

In Idaho, if you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to state "intestacy" laws. Idaho's intestacy law gives your property to your closest relatives, beginning with your spouse and children. If you have neither a spouse nor children, your grandchildren or your parents will get your property. This list continues with increasingly distant relatives, including siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. If the court exhausts this list to find that you have no living relatives by blood or marriage, the state will take your property.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Idaho?

No. You can make your own will in Idaho, using Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust. However, you may want to consult a lawyer in some situations. For example, if you think that your will might be contested or you have especially complicated goals, you should talk with an attorney. See Do I Need an Attorney to Make My Estate Plan?

What Are the Requirements for Making a Will in Idaho?

To make a will in Idaho, you must be:

  • at least 18 years old (or an emancipated minor), and
  • of sound mind.

(Idaho Code § 15-2-501 (2023).)

You must make your will on hard copy. That is, it must be on actual paper. It cannot be on an audio, video, or any other digital file. (Although, see "Can I Make a Digital or Electronic Will?," below.) Type and print your will using a computer, or you can use a typewriter.

Idaho does permit handwritten wills, but they are usually not a good idea. (Idaho Code § 15-2-503 (2023).)

How Do I Sign My Idaho Will?

To finalize your will in Idaho:

  • you must sign or acknowledge your will in front of two witnesses, and
  • your witnesses must sign your will.

(Idaho Code § 15-2-505 (2023).)

Although Idaho allows an "interested person" who stands to inherit under your will to serve as a witness, it is usually not a good idea. (Idaho Code § 15-2-502 (2023).)

Handwritten (holographic) wills do not have to be witnessed if the signature and the material provisions of the will are in the will maker's handwriting. (Idaho Code § 15-2-503 (2023).)

Do I Need to Have My Will Notarized?

No, in Idaho, you do not need to notarize your will to make it legal.

However, Idaho allows you to make your will "self-proving" and you'll need to use a notary if you want to do that. A self-proving will speeds up probate because the court can accept the will without contacting the witnesses who signed it.

To make your will self-proving, you and your witnesses will go to the notary and sign an affidavit that proves who you are and that each of you knew you were signing the will. (Idaho Code § 15-2-504 (2023).)

Idaho also allows remote notarization by a notary who is present through real-time audio-video technology. (Idaho Code § 51-114A (2023).)

Should My Will Name a Personal Representative?

Yes. In Idaho, you can use your will to name a personal representative who will ensure that the provisions in your will are carried out after your death. Nolo's Quicken WillMaker & Trust produces a letter to your personal representative that generally explains what the job requires. If you don't name a personal representative, the probate court will appoint someone to take on the job of winding up your estate.

Can I Revoke or Change My Will?

In Idaho, you may revoke or change your will at any time. You can revoke your will by:

  • burning, tearing, canceling, obliterating, or destroying the will with the intent to revoke it, or
  • making a new will that states it revokes the old one or has contradictory terms to the old one.

(Idaho Code § 15-2-507 (2023).)

If you and your spouse divorce (or if a court determines that your marriage is not legal), Idaho law revokes any language in your will that leaves property to your spouse or names your spouse to be your executor. This rule does not apply if you specifically state in your will that divorce should not affect the provisions in your will or you remarry your spouse. (Idaho Code § 15-2-508 (2023).)

If you have any concerns about the effects of divorce on your will, see an estate planning attorney for help.

If you need to make changes to your will, it's best to revoke it and make a new one. However, if you have only very simple changes to make, you could add an amendment to your existing will – this is called a codicil. In either case, you will need to finalize your changes with the same formalities you used to make your original will (see above).

Can I Make a Digital or Electronic Will?

Idaho allows electronic wills (e-wills). An e-will is a will that you can make, sign, and have witnessed in a digital format without ever printing it out. (Idaho Code § 15-2-1105 (2023).)

The requirements for making a valid e-will can be complicated, and the concept is still fairly new. As a result, e-wills are still not commonplace. For more details on Idaho's specific approach to e-wills, see What Is an Electronic Will?

Where Can I Find Idaho's Laws About Making Wills?

You can find Idaho's laws about making wills here: Idaho Statutes Title 15 Uniform Probate Code Chapter 2 Intestate Succession - Wills Part 5 Wills.

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