ESTATE PLANNING SIGNINGS · GREATER BOSTON
Estate Planning Signings, Wherever Your Family Is
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care documents are some of the most important papers your family will ever sign. We bring an experienced notary to your home, office, hospital room or care facility, follow your attorney's signing instructions to the letter, and make sure every page is completed correctly.
Over 20 years in business · Thousands of documents processed · 600+ five-star Google reviews
ESTATE PLANNING
Signed correctly, the first time
Evenings, weekends and bedside signings.
- Wills and self-proving affidavits
- Trusts, amendments and certifications of trust
- Durable powers of attorney
- Deeds into trust and estate settlement documents
Why the signing matters as much as the documents
Estate documents we notarize
- Wills, and the self-proving affidavit that lets a will be accepted in probate without tracking down the witnesses
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts, trust amendments and restatements
- Certifications of trust for banks, brokerages and registries
- Durable powers of attorney for finances and property
- Deeds transferring property into a trust
- Assignments of personal property to a trust
- Estate settlement documents for executors, personal representatives and trustees
- Estate documents for use abroad, with an apostille or embassy legalization
Massachusetts signing basics
Wills need two witnesses
Under Massachusetts law, a will is signed in front of two adult witnesses. The notary's role is the self-proving affidavit, sworn by you and both witnesses. Many attorneys recommend witnesses who don't inherit under the will.
Health care proxies need two witnesses, not a notary
A Massachusetts health care proxy is signed in front of two adult witnesses, and the person you name as your agent can't be one of them. It's often signed at the same ceremony as the rest of your plan.
Powers of attorney
A durable power of attorney is usually notarized. Notarization is needed if it will be used for real estate, and banks and brokerages generally expect it.
Deeds and trust documents
Deeds must be notarized to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. Trust documents and certifications of trust are commonly notarized as well.
How an estate signing works
- 1
Tell us about the signing
The documents, the number of signers, where you'd like to meet, and your attorney's contact details if they prepared the plan.
- 2
We plan the ceremony
We review the signing instructions, confirm what needs witnesses and what needs a notary, and agree on who's bringing the witnesses.
- 3
Everyone signs in the right order
We check IDs, administer oaths for affidavits, and guide each signer page by page.
- 4
A final page-by-page check
Before we leave, we make sure every signature, initial, date and notarial certificate is complete.
- 5
Originals go where they belong
Back to you, or delivered to your attorney's office, the same day when possible.
Mistakes we help families avoid
- Signing before the notary and witnesses arrive. Wait for us. Documents signed ahead of time may need to be signed again.
- A beneficiary acting as a witness. Ask your attorney who should witness. Many recommend people who inherit nothing.
- Expired IDs. Every signer needs valid, unexpired government photo ID. For hospital signings, plan this a day ahead.
- Missing pages and initials. Long trust packages often need initials on every page. We check them all.
- Waiting too long. A signer must be alert and understand what they're signing. When health is changing, schedule sooner rather than later.
- Assuming one state's rules work everywhere. Family members in other states or countries may need their signatures handled differently. We coordinate it.
Signings for every situation
At home
Couples and families sign together at the kitchen table, on your schedule, including evenings and weekends.
At the hospital or care facility
We coordinate with nursing staff and come to the bedside. See Hospital & Bedside Notary.
Family in different places
We meet each signer separately, and coordinate with trusted notaries for relatives out of state.
Property or family abroad
Estate documents for use overseas get an apostille or legalization, plus translation. See Power of Attorney.
For estate planning attorneys
A notary is not an attorney
We're notaries and document specialists, not attorneys. We can't draft estate documents, tell you which ones you need or explain their legal effect. Your estate planning attorney does that, and we're glad to work alongside their office.
Official sources
Laws change. Your attorney is the best source for how your documents should be signed.
Where we meet you
Estate documents, explained in plain terms
Will
Says who receives your property and who manages your estate. In Massachusetts, it's signed in front of two witnesses.
Revocable trust
Holds property during your life and passes it on without probate. Commonly notarized, especially when real estate is involved.
Durable power of attorney
Lets someone you trust handle finances if you can't. Usually notarized.
Health care proxy
Names someone to make medical decisions if you can't. Signed in front of two witnesses.
HIPAA authorization
Lets named people receive your medical information. Often signed with the rest of the plan.
Deed into trust
Transfers your home into your trust. Must be notarized to be recorded.
After the signing
What clients say
Boston Mobile Notary was incredibly helpful to my mother and my family in getting some important documents signed and notarized. They were responsive, prompt, professional, and courteous. In these days where banks, hospitals, and nursing homes limit what they'll notarize, Boston Mobile Notary was a life-saver and gave all of us peace of mind. We are very, very pleased with their service!
I unreservedly recommend Boston Mobile Notary & Apostille Service. The service was helpful, professional and exactly what I required. The Notary showed exactly on time, explained everything well and was very friendly. Great experience!
Fantastic communication she was excellent. We needed a notary at the hospital and she obliged very well
From our 600+ Google reviews. Shared with first name and last initial.
Frequently asked questions
Can you notarize a will?
In Massachusetts, a will is signed in front of two witnesses. We notarize the self-proving affidavit that you and your witnesses sign, which can make probate simpler later.
Do you provide witnesses?
Tell us when you book if you need witnesses, and we'll talk through the options for your signing.
Can you come to a hospital or nursing home?
Yes. The signer must be alert, able to communicate, signing willingly and have ID. See Hospital & Bedside Notary.
Do all family members need to be there?
Each person signing in front of the notary must be present with ID. If signers are in different places, we schedule separate visits.
Can estate documents be notarized online?
Massachusetts allows remote online notarization for many documents, but wills and trusts generally still need to be signed in person. Ask your attorney.
Do you work with attorneys?
Yes. Many of our estate signings are set up by law firms. See Attorneys.
How much does it cost?
Every request is a little different, so we provide a personalized quote for each one. Signings with several signers, witnesses or after-hours visits are quoted individually.
How long does an estate signing take?
It depends on the number of documents and signers. Many couples' signings take about an hour.
Can you notarize documents prepared online?
We can notarize your signature on documents you prepared yourself, as long as they're complete. We can't review them for legal sufficiency.
Ready to sign your estate plan?
Tell us the documents, the signers and where to meet.