Preparing a Will in Turkey

Types of Wills
There are two types of wills in Turkey:
1. *Holographic Will*: This is a will that is wholly handwritten and dated by the testator. It must be signed by the testator to be valid. According to Article 574 of the Civil Code, a holographic will must be written in the testator's handwriting and must be signed.
   
2. *Official Will*: This will is prepared by a notary or an authorized public officer. For an official will to be valid, witnesses must also be present at the time of its execution. This type of will is considered to present the testator’s intentions more clearly and reliably.
#### Validity of Wills
For a will to be valid, certain conditions must be fulfilled:
- The testator must have a sound mind.
- The testator must be at least 15 years old.
- The will must be made of the testator’s own free will.
How to Prepare a Will?
1. *Specify the Date and Place*: The will should begin with the date and place where it is created.
2. *Clearly State the Intentions*: The testator should express clearly who should inherit their estate.
3. *Signature*: The will must be signed by the testator. In the case of a holographic will, the signature alone suffices, while an official will requires a notary’s approval.
Revoking a Will
The testator may revoke or amend their will at any time. According to Article 576 of the Civil Code, when a new will is prepared, the previous will automatically becomes invalid.