Top 7 Estate Planning Documents That Require a Notary (And How Attorneys Can Prepare Their Clients for Signing)

When you work with an estate planning attorney, you are trusting that attorney with some of the most important legal decisions of your lifetime. From protecting assets to ensuring your medical wishes are honored, these documents need to be executed properly to hold up under legal scrutiny.

One of the most important steps in that process comes towards the end - notarization.

Without proper execution & notarization of your estate planning documents, they could be challenged, delayed or even invalidated. That's why it is so important for everyone to know and understand which documents require notarization and how to be prepared for signing your estate plan.

At Blue Ink Notary in Reading, Pennsylvania, we specialize in helping estate planning law firms of all sizes streamline the notarization and signing process. Here's a breakdown of the 7 top estate planning documents that require a notary, plus tips that attorneys can share with their clients before their signing appointment.

✅ 7 Key Estate Planning Documents That Require Notarization

1. Last Will & Testament - While Pennsylvania law doesn't require wills to be notarized to be valid, having yours notarized is highly recommended. A notarized, self-proving will can simplify the probate process, saving your family time while avoiding potential disputes.

   
   

2. Trust Agreements - Living trusts, revocable and irrevocable trusts often require notarization to ensure enforceability. This is especially true if real estate or high-value assets are being transferred into the trust.

   
   

3. Financial Power of Attorney - Financial POAs allow someone you designate to make financial decisions on your behalf. In Pennsylvania, these documents must be notarized to be considered valid.

   
   

4. Healthcare Power of Attorney - A healthcare POA designates someone to make medical decisions if you are incapacitated. Many states, including Pennsylvania, require notarization (and/or witnesses) for enforceability.

   
   

5. Living Will/Advanced Directives - These documents outline medical treatment preferences. Notarization ensures hospitals and healthcare providers honor your medical wishes without any delays.

   
   

6. Real Estate Deeds - Many estate plans involve transferring real property into a trust or directly to heirs. Deeds must be notarized to be recorded with the county.

   
   

7. Guardianship & Conservatorship Documents - For clients appointing guardians for minor children or dependents, notarization helps ensure the documents will be upheld in court if challenged.

❌ Common Mistakes Clients Make Before a Notary Appointment

Even when attorneys and paralegals prepare carefully, clients can unintentionally cause signing delays. Here are some frequent pitfalls:

• Forgetting valid ID - You must bring government issued ID to the signing appointment.

• Signing ahead of time - Documents must be signed in the presence of a notary and the witnesses (if required), never beforehand.

• Missing witnesses - If witnesses are required, make sure they are arranged in advance.

• Bringing outdated documents - Ensure you have the latest, most current version of your estate planning documents.

📋 How Attorneys Can Simplify the Process for Clients

You, the attorney, can help prevent stress and mistakes on your clients' part ahead of time by:

• Providing a checklist before the appointment with all the details your clients will need to know.

• Offering flexibility through the use of a mobile notary like Blue Ink Notary for elderly or busy clients.2

• Use a professional notary scheduling service like Blue Ink Signings to handle logistics, scheduling and execution for remote clients.

🔗 Partner With Blue Ink Notary in Reading, PA

At Blue Ink Notary, we regularly assist estate planning attorneys and paralegals with the notarization of wills, trusts, POAs, deeds and other estate documents. Whether your clients prefer in office signings, at home visits or service in a hospital or care facility, we make the process seamless and stress free.

Serving the Greater Reading area, as well as the rest of Berks and its surrounding counties, whether you're an individual looking for notary services or an estate planning practice looking to streamline your signing process, know that Blue Ink Notary is here to provide the best service possible while ensuring your documents are executed properly the first time! Contact Blue Ink Notary today to book your appointment.

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Blue Ink Notary, based in Greater Reading and serving Berks County as well as Lancaster, Montgomery, Chester, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Lebanon counties, has assisted numerous Pennsylvania residents and businesses with their document needs since 2019. I am generally available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm but am also available for emergency, early morning, evening & weekend appointments to help you with your documents, so contact me any time with questions. 

To discuss your notary & apostille needs:

📲 Call or text 484-509-1405 

📩 Email brian@blueinknotarypa.com

🖥️ Visit online at blueinknotarypa.com and message us in our chat box in the lower right corner of your screen or visit the Contact Us page

🗓️ Book you appointment online Here