WILLS/TESTAMENTS: Provides for validity of testaments. (8/1/25)
SB 49 simplifies Louisiana's requirements for handwritten wills (olographic testaments) and standardizes rules for all wills. It removes the previous requirement that signatures must appear at the end of a handwritten will, clarifying that signatures can appear anywhere as long as they identify the testator and show intent. The bill also eliminates special rules for people who cannot sign, read, or are deaf/blind, treating all wills under the same standard. This update aligns Louisiana law with historical practice and simplifies the process for anyone creating a will in the state.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 1, 2025
Signed Jun 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
SB49 Original
→
SB49 Act
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill simplifies Louisiana law regarding handwritten wills (olographic testaments) by removing the strict requirement that a signature must appear at the very end of the document. It clarifies that a signature is valid anywhere in the will as long as it identifies the writer and shows intent to adopt the document as their will. The changes also update the legislative history and revision comments to reflect this modernized approach while maintaining the rule that the entire will must be handwritten to be valid.
Scope change
The scope of applicability remains the same (handwritten wills), but the specific requirements for validity have been relaxed regarding signature placement.
REQUIREMENT
Removed the mandatory requirement that a testator's signature must be at the end of a handwritten will; signatures are now valid anywhere in the document if they identify the testator and show intent.
Added clarification that any writing by the testator after their signature does not automatically invalidate the will and can be considered by the court as part of it.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of a valid signature for handwritten wills to focus on identification and intent rather than specific location.
TECHNICAL
Revised revision comments and page headers to reflect the new 'Enrolled' status and updated page counts.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2025 · House May 22, 2025
How they voted
37–0
Passed
Total votes 37
Apr 29, 2025
D
Democratic11
100% Yea
R
Republican26
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 89, nays 6. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.
lower
May 13, 2025
Introduced
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (11-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 39 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary A.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Greg Miller
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 49
Scope: LA
Hi! I can help you understand SB 49. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline