Three valid forms, one careful drafting.

Italian law recognises three forms of will. Each has its own formality, its own risks, and its own usefulness depending on the testator and the assets.

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Three valid forms

The Italian Civil Code admits three ordinary wills: holographic, public, and secret. Each carries its own formality, cost, and risk, and none of them can override the legittima.

The holographic

Entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by your own hand. No notary, no witnesses: cheap and private, but easily lost, hidden, or destroyed. A notary deposit removes that risk while keeping it confidential.

The public will

Dictated to a notary before two witnesses, who drafts it, reads it back, and archives the original. The strongest formal proof Italian law offers, and the hardest to contest.

The secret will

Written privately, then handed sealed to a notary before two witnesses who records its receipt without seeing the contents. The privacy of the holographic with the safety of a deposit.

When it comes from abroad

A will valid where it was made is generally effective in Italy, but your Italian assets pass only after an Italian notary publishes it, with a sworn translation of any foreign text.

A will that holds

We weigh your assets, heirs, and jurisdictions, choose the right form, and draft a will that survives Italian publication.

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