Notary for Wills and Trusts: What Families Should Know

Estate planning documents are sensitive and important. Some documents may need notarization, witnesses, or both, depending on state law and document type.

Common estate documents: wills, trust documents, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, self-proving affidavits, and beneficiary forms.

Important note: a notary does not determine whether a will or trust is legally valid. For estate planning advice, consult a qualified attorney.

What the notary does: verifies signer identity, confirms willingness, completes the notarial certificate, applies the seal, and records the notarization in the journal where required.

How to prepare: confirm witness requirements with your attorney, bring a valid ID, do not sign before the appointment, make sure all signers are present at the same time, and follow your attorney's signing instructions exactly.

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