"In case I die in this mess I leave all to the wife. Cecil Geo. Harris.”

Generally, there are three requirements to form a will.  Generally, a will must be written, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two people who sign under penalty of perjury.  However, California recognizes holographic wills under probate code section 6111, that require the material provisions be in handwriting of the testator and a signature.

A will can be pithy.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the shortest states, "Vše ženě", which is Czech for “everything to wife” written on a bedroom wall before the testators demise.  A close second is a will penned by Cecil George Harris while trapped under his tractor.  Mr. Harris wrote, "In case I die in this mess I leave all to the wife. Cecil Geo. Harris.”.  Cecil penned his will on the fender of his tractor.  The fender was successfully probated, which unfortunately probably means Cecil did not make it out of his mess.