A decedent's handwritten initials, as opposed to his or her whole name, constitute a signature within the meaning of this section. In determining the validity of a holographic instrument, only the portion of the instrument actually in the handwriting of the testator is to be considered; all other language is to be disregarded. In re Estate of Foxley, 254 Neb. 204, 575 N.W.2d 150 (1998).
When the purposes for requiring a date on a holographic will can be satisfied, a holographic will dated by only a month and year substantially complies with this section. In re Estate of Wells, 243 Neb. 152, 497 N.W.2d 683 (1993).
A document which did not contain sufficient material provisions expressing testamentary and donative intent
within the document itself could not be legally recognized as a valid holographic will. Absent a latent ambiguity,
extrinsic evidence could not be considered to aid in that determination. In re Estate of Tiedeman, 25 Neb. App. 722,
912 N.W.2d 816 (2018).
A holographic will must contain sufficient material provisions, meaning words which express donative and
testamentary intent. Donative intent relates to words reflecting specific bequests to particular beneficiaries, and
testamentary intent concerns whether the document was intended to be a will. In re Estate of Tiedeman, 25 Neb.
App. 722, 912 N.W.2d 816 (2018).
In determining the intent of the testator when he or she used controverted words in a holographic will, the court should place itself in the shoes of the testator, ascertain his or her intention, and enforce it, remembering at all times that the testator was unskilled in the field of will drafting. In re Estate of Matthews, 13 Neb. App. 812, 702 N.W.2d 821 (2005).