Estate documents done
with care and precision.

Why estate documents need a notary

Most estate planning documents — living trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and some wills — require notarized signatures to be legally valid in California. A trusted, accurate notary ensures the documents will hold up when they need to.

Documents we regularly notarize for estate planning

• Living trusts — revocable and irrevocable, often 20–60 pages requiring multiple notarized signatures
• Durable power of attorney — for finances and property management
• Healthcare power of attorney — designating a healthcare agent
• Advance healthcare directive — end-of-life instructions
• Pour-over will — coordinates with a trust
• Deed transfers — moving property into a trust
• Affidavits of trust

Our estate / trust package

The flat $250 package covers a full in-home guided signing of a standard trust package — travel included within Orange County. This typically includes the trust document, POA, healthcare directive, and any accompanying certification pages. Additional documents beyond the package scope are billed at standard travel + $15/signature.

Hospital and care facility signings

Estate planning often becomes urgent when a family member is hospitalized or entering a care facility. We have experience with these visits and can typically respond within an hour. Please confirm with the facility staff that the signer is alert, coherent, and able to communicate clear willingness to sign before booking — California law requires the notary to independently verify capacity.

What to prepare before the appointment

• Have the documents prepared by your attorney before the notary appointment. We notarize documents — we do not draft them.
• All signing parties must have valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or current passport)
• Leave all signature lines unsigned until the notary arrives
• Confirm whether witnesses are required — some POAs and healthcare directives require both a notary and witness signatures

Common questions

Do I need witnesses at my estate signing?

For most estate documents in California — living trusts, powers of attorney, deed transfers — no witnesses are required when you use a notary. Advance healthcare directives require either 2 witnesses or a notary (we provide the notary option). Wills require 2 witnesses; the notary cannot be a witness, so you must arrange witnesses yourself.

Can the signing happen at a hospital or care facility?

Yes. We regularly visit OC hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living communities. The signer must be alert and able to demonstrate willingness to sign. Please confirm capacity with nursing staff before booking — California law requires the notary to independently verify this.

Can I sign the documents before the notary arrives?

For acknowledgments — which covers most estate documents including trusts and powers of attorney — yes, you may pre-sign. For jurats (sworn statements), the document must remain unsigned until you sign in front of the notary. We'll confirm which applies to your documents at booking.