text: can i make a will without an attorney in ca?   are you legally allowed to? yes.  do you have the required knowledge to do it successfully? i can't answer that based on the information you've given.  the california probate code (start with sections 6110 and read on) cover the requirements for formal and holographic wills.  the tricky bits come when wills intersect with community property laws, and when you have complicated property ownership issues that need to be resolved. if it's simply "x and y get everything in equal shares" and you're not married, then you might be fine. otherwise, it's probably worth getting some legal help. many schools offer legal clinics that are run by law students and supervised by attorneys.  of course, if you have a lot of property assets, it's worth spending a little money now on a lawyer, to make sure the will is drafted correctly. a little money now could save a lot of money for your heirs if your estate is at all complicated.