Art. 2903 Proponent bears burden of proof

If someone wants a will to be recognized as valid by the court, they have to prove it. This is called the burden of proof, and it falls on the person asking the court to accept the will (the proponent).

The proponent must show two things. First, they must prove the will is real and was actually written or signed by the person who supposedly made it. Second, they must show the will was created following all the legal steps required for a will to be valid, like proper signatures and witnesses.

If the proponent can't prove both of these things at trial, the court won't accept the will as valid. This rule protects against fake or improperly made wills being used to distribute someone's property after they die.