Notary Services for Your Living Trust and Estate Documents
When your estate plan is ready to sign, I come to your home, your attorney's office, or a care facility to notarize it.
What estate document notarization is
An estate plan often includes several documents, and some of them require a notary. As a notary, I meet you, verify each signer's identity, confirm they are signing willingly, and complete the notarial certificates on the documents that need one. I do not draft, review, or advise on your will, trust, or estate plan. I notarize the documents that require it once your plan is prepared.
These signings are often emotional, so I take my time and focus on making everyone comfortable. I travel to homes, law offices, hospitals, and assisted living facilities so the signing happens where your family is most at ease.
Who this service is for
I help three kinds of clients get estate documents notarized.
Individuals and couples signing a trust
Your attorney prepared your living trust and the documents that require a notary are ready to sign.
Adult children coordinating for aging parents
Your parents cannot easily travel, and you need a notary who will come to their home or care facility.
Law offices needing a mobile notary
Your office prepared estate documents and needs a reliable notary to meet your client on site.
What can make an estate signing hard
A few things tend to come up with these signings. Here is what I help with.
Parents who cannot easily travel
Older parents may not be able to come to a notary's office. I travel to their home or care facility instead.
Several documents and signers in one session
An estate plan can include many documents. I work through each one that needs a notary so the signing stays organized.
Confusion about which documents need a notary
Not every estate document requires notarization. I notarize the ones that do, and your attorney decides how each is signed.
Patient, comfortable signings
I have been a commissioned California notary since 2015, and I travel to homes, law offices, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. Estate signings are often emotional, so I take my time, answer what I can about the notarization, and let your attorney handle the rest. The signer must be able to show they understand the document and are signing willingly.
- Notarization of the estate documents that require a notary, once your plan is prepared
- Travel to homes, law offices, hospitals, and assisted living facilities
- Patient, comfortable signings for documents that are often emotional
- Mobile California notary commissioned since 2015
Which Estate Documents Typically Involve a Notary
A quick reference for common estate documents and how they are usually validated in California.
| Document | How California Typically Validates It | Notary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Living trust and certification of trust | Commonly notarized | I acknowledge the signatures. |
| Deed transferring property into the trust | Must be notarized before recording | I complete the acknowledgment so the county can record it. |
| Durable power of attorney for finances | Notarized or signed before two qualified witnesses | I notarize it when notarization is the chosen method. |
| Advance health care directive | Notarized or signed before two qualified witnesses, with added witness rules in skilled nursing facilities | I notarize it when notarization is the chosen method and any facility requirements are met. |
| Will | Typically requires two witnesses | Notarization alone does not make a will valid. |
This is general information, not legal advice. Your attorney decides how each document should be signed.
What to expect at the signing
When I arrive, I check each signer's photo identification, confirm they understand the document and are signing willingly, watch them sign, and complete the notarial certificates on the documents that require one. If a document needs witnesses, your attorney will tell you, and you should arrange them as your attorney instructs.
For a deed transferring property into a trust, California requires me to record the signer's right thumbprint in my notary journal. I will let you know before we start.
Bring to the signing
- Valid, current government-issued photo ID for every signer
- The complete documents your attorney prepared, unsigned until instructed
- Every person signing present in person and able to show they understand the document
I do not serve as a witness. Arrange witnesses as your attorney instructs.
Common questions about estate document notarization
What you need to know before we meet for your signing.
Related notary services
Other services that often come up alongside an estate signing.
General Notary Services
Hospital and care facility notary visits for any document that needs notarizing.
Learn moreGrant Deeds and Quitclaim Deeds
Deeds that move property into a trust must be notarized before recording.
Learn moreReady to schedule the signing?
Contact StacyYour Plan Is Ready. Let's Make It Official.
Call me now or schedule a trust signing and I will confirm a time and place to come to you and notarize your estate documents.