Notary Services for Life and Viatical Settlement Companies in Massachusetts

A life or viatical settlement closing transfers ownership of a life insurance policy, and the insurer will not record the change until every form is signed, dated and notarized exactly as required. Closing packages often include the settlement contract, change of ownership and beneficiary forms, owner and insured statements, and medical authorizations, and several states require specific statements to be sworn or acknowledged before a notary. One missing initial or an incomplete notarial certificate can delay the escrow and funding by weeks.

Many sellers are older or seriously ill, which makes the appointment itself just as important as the paperwork. We schedule around health and family, explain only what a notary may explain, and make sure the signer is identified properly and signing willingly. Before we leave, we review the package page by page against your instructions, so it reaches the escrow agent ready to process.

A viatical settlement involves an insured who is terminally or chronically ill, so the signing often happens within a narrow window and under difficult circumstances. We respond quickly, schedule around treatment and rest, and keep the appointment calm, brief and respectful for the insured and their family. Physician statements and medical authorizations are common in these packages, and we make sure every one is signed and notarized as your instructions require.

Life and viatical settlement signings frequently take place at a kitchen table, a hospital bedside or a rehabilitation center. We visit patients at Boston hospitals and facilities every week; see our hospital and bedside notary service and hospital notary guide. We coordinate with family and staff so the signing takes place at a time when the signer is rested and alert.

A notary must be satisfied that each signer is who they claim to be and understands what they are signing. If the insured has no current photo ID, Massachusetts allows identification through a credible witness who knows the signer and is personally known to the notary; see ID requirements. If a signer cannot write their name, Massachusetts allows signature by mark with two witnesses. We raise these issues with you before the appointment, not at it, so the provider and insurer can confirm what they will accept. For older sellers signing at home, see elderly and homebound signings.

We act as your Massachusetts signing partner, whether you send one file a year or several a month. Communication runs through the contact you designate, and every file is invoiced separately with your reference number, so it is easy to match to the case. If your company works with a national signing platform, we can accept orders through it as well.

Your sellers' information is handled as confidential. We do not discuss the offer, advise on the transaction or contact the seller for any other purpose. Our role is limited to identifying the signers, witnessing their signatures and completing the notarial certificates correctly, which keeps the process clean for the provider, the insurer and regulators.