This column first appeared in the San Antonio Express News on March 5, 2018. Texas law recognizes the validity of two kinds of Wills: holographic and formal. A holographic Will must be entirely in the handwriting of the Testator, must be dated, and must be signed by the Testator. A formal Will must be written, dated, signed by the Testator, and signed by two witnesses. Your mother’s Will is in your handwriting, not hers, so it is not a holographic Will. If it was only signed

Dear Mr. Premack: I was divorced from my husband in 1985. When we got divorced, our house was left in both our names but only I lived there. His 1965 Will named me as heir and executrix. He died in 1988. Now someone claiming that my husband owed him money has gone to Probate Court. Doesn’t my ex-husband’s will protect me? – S.L. Your former husband may have believed that his 1965 will could protect you, but it does not. Under the Texas Probate Code, when you get divorced any