All Comparison Tables
Nuncupative (Oral) Wills
Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: September 2026
States that recognize spoken wills, typically limited to soldiers in active service, mariners at sea, or persons in last sickness.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: May 2026
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Allowed | Witnesses Required | Property Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | — | — |
| Alaska | No | — | — |
| Arizona | No | — | — |
| Arkansas | No | — | — |
| California | No | — | — |
| Colorado | No | — | — |
| Connecticut | No | — | — |
| Delaware | No | — | — |
| Florida | No | — | — |
| Georgia | No | — | — |
| Hawaii | No | — | — |
| Idaho | No | — | — |
| Illinois | No | — | — |
| Indiana | Last sickness only | 2 | $1,000 |
| Iowa | No | — | — |
| Kansas | Last sickness only | 2 | Personal property only |
| Kentucky | No | — | — |
| Louisiana | No | — | — |
| Maine | No | — | — |
| Maryland | No | — | — |
| Massachusetts | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
| Michigan | No | — | — |
| Minnesota | No | — | — |
| Mississippi | Last sickness only | 2 | $100 |
| Missouri | Last sickness only | 2 | $500 |
| Montana | No | — | — |
| Nebraska | No | — | — |
| Nevada | Military/sailors | 2 | $1,000 |
| New Hampshire | Military/sailors | 3 | Personal property only |
| New Jersey | No | — | — |
| New Mexico | No | — | — |
| New York | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
| North Carolina | Last sickness only | 2 | Personal property only |
| North Dakota | No | — | — |
| Ohio | Last sickness only | 2 | Personal property only |
| Oklahoma | Last sickness only | 2 | $1,000 |
| Oregon | No | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | No | — | — |
| Rhode Island | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
| South Carolina | Military/sailors | 3 | Personal property only |
| South Dakota | No | — | — |
| Tennessee | Last sickness only | 2 | $1,000 |
| Texas | Repealed 2007 | — | — |
| Utah | No | — | — |
| Vermont | Military/sailors | 3 | Personal property only |
| Virginia | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
| Washington | Last sickness only | 2 | Personal property only |
| West Virginia | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
| Wisconsin | No | — | — |
| Wyoming | No | — | — |
| District of Columbia | Military/sailors | 2 | Personal property only |
Oral wills typically must be reduced to writing within a short statutory period (often 6-30 days) and witnessed by uninterested parties.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.