---
title: Will Requirements in Kansas (2026)
state: Kansas
state_abbreviation: KS
document_type: Will Requirements
updated: '2026-08-26T19:40:02Z'
reading_time: 2 min read
url: https://killswitch.rip/states/kansas/will
requirements:
  witnesses: 2
  minimum_age: 18
  special_rules:
  notary_required: false
  electronic_allowed: false
  holographic_allowed: false
  self_proving_affidavit: true
laws:
  estate_tax: false
  inheritance_tax: false
  primary_statute: Kan. Stat. §59-606
  probate_threshold: 40000
  community_property: false
costs:
  diy_range: 39-99
  attorney_range: 500-1500
  attorney_average: 800
  killswitch_price: 69
  probate_cost_percentage: 3
---

# Will Requirements in Kansas (2026)

So you've decided to finally write a will in Kansas. Congratulations on acknowledging your own mortality. Most people can't even manage that. Here's what KS law requires to make sure your last wishes actually hold up in court instead of becoming an expensive piece of creative writing.

## The basic requirements

Kansas requires 2 witnesses to make your will valid. Good news: Kansas doesn't require a notary for your will, though getting one makes it self-proving and saves your executor a headache later. You must be at least 18 years old and of sound mind, though if you've been putting this off for years, the "sound mind" part is debatable.

Kansas supports self-proving affidavits, which means if you get your witnesses to sign a sworn statement with a notary, they won't have to show up in court later to confirm they watched you sign. Future-you's executor will thank present-you.

## Handwritten and electronic wills

Kansas does NOT accept holographic (handwritten) wills, so put down the napkin and the crayon. Electronic wills aren't recognized in Kansas yet, so you'll need actual paper like it's 1995.

## What Kansas law says about your stuff

 Under Kan. Stat. §59-606, if you die without a will in Kansas, your assets get distributed according to intestacy laws, basically, the state's default settings for dead people. These defaults rarely match what anyone actually wants.

## The bottom line

A valid will in Kansas isn't complicated, but it does need to follow the rules. 2 witnesses, your signature, and a clear head. Skip any of these and you might as well not bother, your family will be stuck in probate court arguing about who gets the good china while lawyers bill $300 an hour to watch.




## Frequently Asked Questions

### How many witnesses do I need for a will in Kansas?

Kansas requires 2 witnesses for a valid will. They need to be competent adults who watch you sign and then sign the will themselves. Pro tip: don't pick someone who's inheriting, that's a conflict of interest that could invalidate their share.

### Does Kansas require a notary for wills?

No, Kansas doesn't require a notary for your will to be valid. However, getting a notarized self-proving affidavit means your witnesses won't have to testify in court later, worth the extra step.

### Are handwritten wills valid in Kansas?

No, Kansas does not recognize holographic (handwritten) wills. Your will needs to be typed and properly witnessed to be valid.

### What is the minimum age to make a will in Kansas?

You must be at least 18 years old to make a will in Kansas. If you're 18 and already thinking about your will, you're either incredibly responsible or having a really rough week.