Estate Planning Signings

Does anyone know of Signing Agencies that schedule Estate Docs Signings?

@cjmeijer :partying_face: Great Question! :partying_face:

In my direct experience, thus far (over the course of nearly two decades) the only Signing Orders [SOs] I’ve received for Estate Documents is through Attorney Offices or Estate Planning Organizations (never via Signing Services [SSs]).


:swan:

I’ve seen blast offers from Successful Signings, Roseville, CA come through. I’m not sure what platform they use. I do know the offers were not in my realm of fees and they never responded to my counter offers.

For Estate Planning signings keep in mind that the number of notarizations may vary from file to file depending on the number of properties owned by the signer(s). It may be a simple 5 notarizations and you’re out. Or, I had one where the signers had ~20 properties and each property needed a Deed notarized moving it to the Trust plus Advanced Health Care Directives plus Powers of Attorney, etc. That was a very nice pay day directly with a law firm! :smiley:

Any estate signings I’ve ever gotten were through networking directly with attorneys — chamber of commerce, other networking groups, or referrals. Today, for example, I notarized trust docs for a woman in my networking group. Separately, her will needs two witnesses, and I’m serving as one, with another woman from our group as the second.

Something to keep in mind: some notaries say they turn down assignments that require them to line up witnesses, but that may be a real part of the job. Not every client can (or wants to) round up their own witnesses, especially when they’re signing at home rather than somewhere public like a coffee shop where they could ask strangers. You may never be asked to provide witnesses, but understand it’s certainly a possibility. So if you take on estate signings, be prepared that you may be asked to supply them - because the client can’t or won’t - not just doing the notarial act.

cNsa5,

Which Estate Planning Organizations?

I have been a Financial Planner for 30 years. Estate Planning is a core element of a comprehensive Financial Plan. So I a have the experience. Another Notary has suggested I get my CESP designation (Certified Estate Signing Professional).

Cordially,

CJM

@cjmeijer Your direct experience as a Financial Planner should provide you with ample connections in this regard.

You’ll be best served by networking directly with attorneys, networking groups, as well as referrals from your existing Financial Planning clients.


:swan:

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Im thinking that how to hire a notary might be part of the online DIY estate planning business. Most attorneys have their own notaries. My sister was a legal secretary and had her notary for that. I did one for a friend. It was a lot. At least 30 or something endorsements. There were also witnesses. I was there over 2 hours.

It’s still worth marketing to estate planning attorney. Attorneys and their in-house notaries tend to keep business hours and notarize at the office, while estate signings — especially with elderly or ill clients — often can’t wait for Monday morning. Positioning yourself as the backup for the calls that come in the evening, weekends or the ones requiring a hospital visit, is a real gap to market to rather than competing head-on with attorneys who already have notaries on staff.

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