A minority of U.S. states (approximately 20 as of 2009), permit nuncupative wills under certain circumstances.
Some states also place limits on the types and value of property that can be bequeathed in this manner.
A few U.S. states permit nuncupative wills made by military personnel on active duty.
An analogy can be drawn to the concept of last donations (donatio mortis causa) established by Roman law and still in effect in England and Wales.
Dukeminier, Jesse, Johansen, Stanley M., Lindgren, James, and Sitkoff, Robert.