An Arizona last will and testament template is a fillable document that lets a testator record their final wishes for how their property and assets pass to named beneficiaries after death.
Any Arizona resident can use one to name an executor, choose beneficiaries for their money and property, and appoint a guardian for minor children, so the plan reflects what the family members closest to them need.
A will does not replace a living will, which covers medical decisions while you are alive, or a living trust, which can help your estate avoid probate.
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Follow these seven steps to build an Arizona last will and testament template, from choosing your executor and beneficiaries to allocating your property and signing the finished document in front of two qualified witnesses.
Last will requirements in Arizona come from Title 14 of the Revised Statutes. A valid will must be in writing, signed by the testator or a proxy acting at the testator’s direction, and signed by at least two witnesses who watch the signing or the testator’s acknowledgment.[2] The state also allows two alternatives to a typewritten, witnessed will: a handwritten (holographic) will and a self-proving affidavit that can speed up probate.[3][1]
| Requirements | State laws | |
| Definitions | 14-1201 – Definitions | |
| Statutes | Title 14 – Trusts, Estates and Protective Proceedings | |
| Signing requirement | Two witnesses | 14-2502. Execution, Witnessing, and Holographic Wills |
| Age of testator | 18 and older and of sound mind | 14-2501. Who may make a will |
| Age of witnesses | No set age. Must be generally competent and, unless the will is self-proving, not a beneficiary or a beneficiary’s relative | 14-2505. Witness Requirements |
| Self-proving wills | Allowed | 14-2504. Self-Proved Wills and Signature Requirements |
| Handwritten wills | Recognized if meeting certain conditions | 14-2502. Execution, Witnessing, and Holographic Wills |
| Oral wills | Not recognized | |
| Holographic wills | Recognized if meeting certain conditions | 14-2503. Holographic will |
Tip: a self-proving affidavit does not replace your witnesses. You still need two witnesses to sign the will itself, then everyone signs the affidavit in front of a notary.[1]
An Arizona will is valid when it is in writing, signed by the testator (or by someone else at the testator’s direction and in their presence), and signed by at least two witnesses.[2] The testator must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind.[4] Arizona also recognizes a handwritten will without witnesses if the signature and key terms are in the testator’s own handwriting.[3]
No. A notary’s date has no bearing on whether an Arizona will is valid. What makes it valid is the witnessing: at least two people must either watch you sign the will or hear you acknowledge your signature, and then sign it themselves within a reasonable time.[2] Without two qualifying witnesses, or a properly handwritten will, the document does not meet the state’s requirements.
Last Updated: September 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current Arizona law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
Common mistake: letting a beneficiary sign as one of your two witnesses. State law bars a witness who is a devisee under the will, or related to one, from witnessing it unless the will is made self-proving.[5]
Testamentary capacity describes the testator’s legal and mental ability, or sound mind, to write or change a will. A testator must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind.[4] Sound mind means the testator understands the effect of the document they are signing.
Yes. State law lets a testator revoke or replace a will at any time, either by signing a new will that revokes the old one or by a revocatory act such as burning, tearing, or canceling the document.[6]
Losing the only signed copy can create a legal presumption that you meant to revoke it, which can make probate more complicated for your executor. Keep the signed original in a safe place and tell your executor where to find it.
| Related documents | Times when you might want to create one |
| Codicil | You need to slightly modify your last will without writing a new one. |
| Self-proving affidavit | You want to save time and legal fees for your will’s witnesses. |
| Living will | You would like to be sure your end-of-life treatment is done as outlined by your wishes. |
| Living trust | You want to avoid probate by having your assets in the possession of a trust. |
This page is general information about Arizona last wills, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to an Arizona attorney.
