First let me say I love visiting senior living facilities. I’ve always had a strong bond and great respect for the generations before mine. I am also very familiar with all the legal, financial and relationship challenges many are faced with, having gone through so much of it with my elder parents and grandparents.
If I were to guess, I’ve probably signed over 5,000 individuals over the age of 60, so this isn’t new to me. Here’s a list of the types of documents I normally come across at senior centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and memory care units.
- Advance Healthcare Directive: An Advance Healthcare Directive, also known as a living will, allows folks to specify their healthcare preferences in the event they become unable to make medical decisions. I can witness and notarize this document to make it legally binding.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document designates someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the person if they are incapacitated. I can notarize this to ensure its legality.
- Durable Power of Attorney for Finances: This legal document grants authority to an agent to manage the senior’s financial affairs. I can notarize this document to make it legally effective.
- Last Will and Testament: A last will and testament outlines how a person’s assets and property should be distributed after their passing. I can witness and notarize the will to ensure its validity.
- Codicil to Will: A codicil is a document used to make changes or amendments to an existing will. I can witness and notarize this to confirm the modifications are legitimate.
- Affidavit of Residence: An affidavit of residence is a sworn statement used to confirm a person’s address. I can notarize this document when a proof of residency is required.
- Vehicle Title Transfer: When people need to transfer ownership of a vehicle, I can notarize the necessary forms and signatures to complete the process.
- Financial Affidavits: Individuals can require notarization for financial affidavits, which are often used to verify income or financial status for various purposes, such as government benefits or applications.
- Identity Verification: I commonly verify the identity of people by checking their government-issued identification documents, such as driver’s licenses or passports, before notarizing any documents.
- Legal Name Change Petition: People seeking to change their legal name may require notarization for their name change petition, affirming their intent to adopt a new name.
- Contracts and Agreements: People may have various legal contracts or agreements that need notarization, such as lease agreements, contracts for services, or financial agreements.
- Guardianship or Conservatorship Documents: In cases where seniors can no longer make decisions for themselves, I can notarize documents related to guardianship or conservatorship, confirming the appointment of a legal guardian or conservator.
- Loan Documents: Borrowers may need me to notarize loan documents, such as promissory notes or mortgage agreements, when obtaining financing for various purposes.