In New York, under what circumstances are oral or holographic wills permitted?

• A. In all cases, with two witnesses
• B. Only in limited military circumstances
• C. Only for persons under 18
• D. They are never permitted

Answer: (B)

New York generally requires a will to be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed. Oral wills and holographic (handwritten) wills are not valid in ordinary cases. The state does provide a narrow exception for members of the armed forces in active service, where an oral will can be recognized under limited circumstances, with proper subsequent formalization to probate. That limited military exception is why this answer is correct. The other options miss the rule: there isn’t a universal allowance with two witnesses, age 18 isn’t the controlling factor, and there is a recognized exception for military circumstances, so they aren’t “never permitted.”