Hi everyone! I’m a notary based in Florida and wanted to get some input on how you’re all charging for estate packages. Are you bundling services into a flat fee that includes notarizations, or are you charging separately for each notarization and then adding a general estate package fee for reference? Just trying to see what works best for others in our field. Thanks in advance!
Hi there! Great question.
I’m a notary in Oregon, and for estate packages, I stick to my standard General Notary Work (GNW) pricing model — a flat travel/service fee plus $10 per notarization, as allowed under our state guidelines.
I work regularly with a financial planner who brings me in on a high volume of estate planning client engagements. These packages typically include anywhere from 15 to 18 notarizations, and his team has been consistently pleased with the service. While the volume in each package can be significant, I find that the attention to detail, professionalism, and care required is comparable to any other GNW appointment, so I’ve found no need to restructure my fees.
At the end of the day, it’s about delivering quality and consistency — and clients appreciate knowing what to expect.
Hope that helps!
John
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I’ve completed many estate packages for individuals, attorneys and non-profits. If a client calls me directly, I price based on my state’s allowable, which is $10 per notarized signature. There may be a travel convenience fee assessed.
When working with the estate attorney, I charge $250-$400 per package, depending on the size of the package. I complete most of the packages working with the attorney.
I also volunteer my services at the local Senior Center. I’ve completed several packages working with the center’s clientele. My work there has lead to several clients reaching out.
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Wondering how many minutes/hours most of these estate planning appointments take. I sat in with my mother’s at home signing with 2 Lawyers present. They went over each of multiple sections of the whole 3 inch thick binder, pretty much with one-line descriptions and more extensive detail when required. Mom didn’t ask any questions, so it wasn’t her fault that it took over 3 hours.
@Arichter: Yes, those appointments are usually lengthy … FOR THE SIGNER. In my experience being the notary, the attorney meets with signer(s) ahead of notary’s arrival and has them sign everything except for documents to be notarized. The notary is scheduled to appear at a time calculated to be AFTER the aforementioned preliminaries have taken place. The notary is scheduled to be there ONLY for the notarization process – not for the entire procedure. Even at that, I usually calendar in an hour of my time.
I usually charge a flat rate of $250 - $500, depending on situation. The first time I worked one of these packages, I charged by the notarized signature (as allowed by California law) plus a travel/convenience fee. That proved to be a cumbersome practice. That’s when I developed my flat rate.
There is no printing involved for the notary. Attorney does that. Notary only notarizes, usually witnesses 1 or 2 docs and leaves.
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How do you make a connection with document preparers who do this work
And or Attorneys who may hire a mobile notary . My sister currently works with a document preparer. I would like to start doing that .
Any advice would be great thank you
Hi John5 OR ~ Alice here in WA State. I use same process for fees for estate and/or will docs. WA allows $15 per notarization and signature so if witness(s) included more fees to the pot. If there a lot docs to sign, discount my travel fee. Like these assignments because no printing and just show up with my smile. Payment up front and no waiting to be paid. I keep a pdf information sheet on file to forward to signer(s) for information and how to prepare for these type of signings. Lot of people do this task during football season and have a party. Come to think of it should add notation to my website and advertise Football Season Special ~ no travel fee ~ have a party!!
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How do you make a connection with someone who does this kind of work and needs a mobile notary
Market directly to law offices.
Hi ally9395 ~ you need to know your market area to advertise. In WA State originally lived in Kitsap County where marketing was easy ~ simple handing out of business cards and/or word doc flyers with my profile information. Now I live in Pierce County not as simple so created simple webpage since world is digital now. Most of my business comes from hospitals, full care senior facilities, seniors concerned with end of life docs, and people that travel for business out of the country. Pierce County found that flyers and business cards get tossed. Posting at senior centers removed. Most facilities not very organized to retain information distributed. Most clients quick to pick up cell phone and search. Good luck!!
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@alice2uworld 
Excellent Insights!
This statement is true (reference excerpt noted above) for many regions across the US.
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Not many law offices in my neck of the woods Bonney Lake WA. Law offices I have worked with out of state were pond scum so I steer clear of law offices. Good idea for more populated areas.
How would you approach doing that . A lot of law office have their para legal have notaries
When marketing to law firms, I let 'em know I know they probably have a notary on staff. However, perhaps that notary isn’t always available due to vacation, illness, or stuck in the office but notarizations have to take place away from the office. In such cases, I can be their go-to mobile notary. IMJS. I don’t expect to work with any particular law firm every day/all day, just occasionally. I never put all my eggs in one basket. 
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