Secure Your Legacy. Protect Your Family.
Estate planning documents are the most scrutinized legal instruments in existence. We ensure your Will, Trust, and Powers of Attorney are executed with strict adherence to Texas law, so your final wishes stand up in court.
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Strict Standards for Final Wishes
A Last Will and Testament is unique because the person who signed it cannot be called to testify about it. Therefore, the law imposes incredibly strict rules on how it must be signed.
A simple notary stamp is not enough.
At Saffold Law, we conduct a formal “Signing Ceremony.” We ensure that the Testator (you) is of sound mind, that the correct number of disinterested witnesses are present, and that the specific statutory language is used. This attention to detail prevents family disputes and ensures your estate avoids unnecessary probate hurdles.
The "Self-Proving Affidavit" Advantage
In Texas, if you simply sign a Will, your witnesses must appear in court after you pass away to prove the Will is valid. This can be difficult if they have moved away or passed away themselves.
We include a Self-Proving Affidavit with every Will we notarize. This document, signed by you, the witnesses, and the notary under oath, acts as a substitute for court testimony. It allows the probate judge to accept the Will immediately, saving your family time, stress, and legal fees.
Documents We Notarize
We handle the execution of comprehensive estate planning packages.
1. Last Will & Testament
The foundation of your estate plan. We verify:
- Testamentary Capacity: Confirming the signer understands what they are doing (crucial for preventing “undue influence” claims).
- Witness Requirements: Texas law requires two credible witnesses who are at least 14 years of age and not beneficiaries in the Will.
2. Revocable Living Trusts
Trusts are used to avoid probate and maintain privacy. To fund the trust, you often need to transfer real estate and accounts into it. We notarize the Trust Agreement and the Deeds transferring property to the Trustee.
3. Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)
This document gives someone authority to handle your money if you become incapacitated. It requires strict notarization to be accepted by banks and title companies.
4. Medical Power of Attorney & Living Wills
- Medical POA: Designating an agent to make healthcare decisions.
- Directive to Physicians (Living Will): Stating your wishes regarding life support.
- HIPAA Release: Authorizing doctors to share your medical info with your family.
Why Notarize at a Law Firm?
The “Disinterested Witness” Rule
A beneficiary of the Will (e.g., your spouse or child) cannot be a witness. If they are, they might lose their inheritance. Banks and shipping stores rarely provide witnesses. We can provide the necessary disinterested staff to witness your Will legally.
Capacity Verification
If a disgruntled relative challenges your Will later, claiming you had dementia or were coerced, our notes and procedures as a law firm serve as powerful evidence that you were competent and acting freely.
Privacy & Dignity
Estate planning is personal. We provide a private conference room for your signing ceremony, treating the occasion with the respect and confidentiality it deserves.
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Our Process: The Signing Ceremony
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1. ID & Capacity Check
We verify your identity and briefly converse to establish that you are alert and oriented.
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2. The Witness Assembly
We bring in the required witnesses (two for Wills) who watch you sign.
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3. The Execution
You sign the documents, the witnesses sign, and then the Notary administers the oath for the Self-Proving Affidavit before applying the seal.
Peace of Mind for You and Yours.
Don’t let a technical error jeopardize your life’s work. Contact Saffold Law for professional estate planning notarization.