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I've seen family stuff get messy over documents, and handwritten wills can actually be valid in most places even without notarization - it just depends on your state or country's laws. The key thing is whether it meets the basic requirements like being signed and dated, and ideally having witnesses. You'll probably need to go through probate court to get it recognized, which takes longer and costs more than a notarized will, but it's doable. Best move is to talk to a local probate attorney who can tell you exactly what your jurisdiction needs and whether there's anything that might make this will get challenged.
The validity question really does hinge on where you live - most states allow handwritten wills without notarization as long as they meet basic requirements like being in your parent's handwriting and signed. But here's what people often gloss over: even if the will is technically valid, if someone contests it (claiming your parent wasn't of sound mind, or that there was undue influence), you'll end up in probate court anyway, and a notarized version would've made your life so much easier. Get it looked at by a local probate attorney sooner rather than later, because waiting around might complicate things if disputes pop up later.
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