[AnAmericanMother]

Actually, "holographic" has nothing to do with imminent death. It means "entire" + "writing" i.e. the will has to be entirely in the (identified) writing of the testator. Doesn't need to be made in contemplation of imminent death.

There IS some law regarding the admissibility of witness statements that are deemed a "dying declaration", in spite of the hearsay rule, but that's a different issue.

[RoosterRedux]

The reason I said that in my comment is that some state laws are written to permit handwritten wills (holographic wills) so that people facing imminent death have a quick option in case they can’t get to a lawyer, witness, or typewriter.