The Higher Regional Court of Cologne (order of 22 February 2016) had to decide whether a A will can also be written in a notebook can be written down.
It was concluded that even a notebook, which is usually used only for notes and telephone numbers, may contain a valid will. However, when all the circumstances are taken into account, it is not necessarily the case that the document in question must be a note.
It would, of course, be nice if you didn’t make things quite so difficult for your heirs, so that they don’t first have to go to court to determine whether your testamentary disposition, in terms of its formal requirements, can even be considered a valid testamentary disposition.
However, as you can clearly see here, it is always important that you strictly adhere to the formal requirements when drawing up a handwritten will. It must have been written entirely by hand by you, from start to finish. Please ensure that it is legible. Please write „My last will and testament“ or „My will“ at the top. Please provide the Place and date and sign it with your first name and surname.
We’d be happy to advise you and help you to draw up a legally valid and clear will.