If you die without a valid last will and testament, your spouse will get $50,000 or half of your estate (greater of). Where all your children are also your spouse’s children your spouse will receive all of your estate. Where this is not the case, half will go to your spouse and the other half to your children. There are special rules for married couples who have separated or non married couples who live together.
A last will and testament in Manitoba requires two witnesses who can independently confirm that the document reflects the wishes of the person making the will.
Yes, hand-written wills are legal in Manitoba, if they are drafted correctly. You should take great care if you want to make a holographic will. They should only be done in the most dire of emergencies. They can (and often are) challenged in the courts. If you aren’t a legally trained specialist it is very easy to overlook something or make a mistake.