Gifting Peace of Mind: The Perfect Gift for Estate Planning Month and Beyond

October is Estate Planning Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to get your affairs in order before the busy holiday season. Estate planning can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A thoughtful way to support a loved one—or even yourself—through this process is by gifting The Signature Pros Gift Card, which can help cover the cost of notarizing essential documents. 

Why Estate Planning Matters Now

As the end of the year approaches, the holidays can take up a lot of our attention. But before the festive rush begins, now is the perfect moment to focus on personal matters like estate planning. This not only gives you peace of mind but also helps loved ones avoid unnecessary stress down the road. Plus, when you get ahead of these things in October, you can enter the holiday season and enter the new year feeling more prepared and relaxed.

Notarizing Estate Planning Documents

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy—it's about making decisions that matter to everyone close to you. When planning your estate, certain documents need to be notarized. Here are a few examples of important documents The Signature Pros have notarized for our clients related to estate planning:

• MD Form WH-AR: This document is specific to Maryland residents and relates to withholding tax requirements when transferring property in the state. It’s important to ensure tax compliance during the estate planning process, particularly when dealing with real estate transfers. https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/individual/income/forms/2024-Withholding-Forms.php 

• Advance Directive & Living Will: This is a legal document that specifies your preferences for medical treatment if you're unable to communicate your decisions. It often includes a Living Will component, outlining the type of care you wish to receive in various medical situations. https://www.peoples-law.org/advance-directives 

• Durable General Power of Attorney & Designation of Guardian: This document allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. It also designates a guardian for your children or dependents, ensuring their care is handled according to your wishes. https://www.peoples-law.org/powers-attorney 

• No Title Search/No Consideration Exempt Transfer: Life Estate w/o Powers: In certain real estate transfers, this document allows property to be transferred without a title search or monetary payment, granting the recipient the right to live on or use the property for life without the ability to sell or mortgage it. This is commonly used in estate planning to ensure the property transfers to the designated heir after the life tenant's death. https://www.peoples-law.org/home-ownership-and-deeds-estate-planning 

• No Consideration Deed Affidavit: This affidavit confirms that a property deed transfer has taken place without monetary consideration. It’s commonly used when property is transferred as a gift, such as between family members. https://tpf.legal/no-consideration-deed-transfers/ 

• Owner’s Occupancy Affidavit: This document verifies that the person transferring the property currently resides at the location. It’s used to affirm the property owner’s primary residence, which can be important in certain legal or tax scenarios.

Each of these documents plays a role in making sure your assets, healthcare, and loved ones are protected according to your wishes. These are tasks that, while necessary, often get pushed to the bottom of the list. Gifting The Signature Pros Gift Card could help make it easier for someone to take this important step.

Need Legal Help?

While notarizing these documents is a key part of the process, drafting them correctly and receiving legal advice is just as important. While The Signature Pros can assist with notarizations, it’s important to note that our notaries are not licensed to practice law. If you need help beyond notarization—such as creating a will, power of attorney, or transferring property—we recommend consulting a licensed attorney. Through LegalShield, you can gain access to affordable legal services, including document drafting and legal advice from licensed attorneys. 

LegalShield offers individual and family legal plans that give you peace of mind without the high cost of traditional legal services. You can learn more about the LegalShield Individual & Family Plans. 

Gifting to Ease the Process

We all know estate planning isn’t the easiest conversation to have, but with a gift card, you're offering a thoughtful, supportive way to help loved ones start their planning journey. Whether it's a parent preparing for their future, a new homeowner, or a friend entering a new phase of life, gifting the resources to make notarizing critical documents simple can turn a difficult task into something more approachable.

By offering the gift of notarization services, you show your care and support, helping your loved ones achieve peace of mind. Estate planning doesn’t have to be daunting—it’s a gift of protection for the future.

A Gift for Yourself

Estate planning is not just something we do for others; it’s also a way to take control of our own lives. If you've been putting off these steps, consider this the perfect time to invest in your own future by getting your affairs in order. Treat yourself to The Signature Pros Gift Card and make the process that much smoother.

Don’t wait—encourage your loved ones to get their affairs in order or start your own journey today.