Signing Your Documents

Remember that your documents are not effective unless they are properly signed. So it is very important that you follow these instructions as soon as possible after receiving your documents. Below is a table outlining the signing requirements for each type of document. Read more about signing your documents in this blog post.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR SIGNING YOUR DOCUMENTS

 

Signature Required

Notary Required

Notary Recommended

2 Disinterested Witnesses Required

Who Needs to Be Present

TRUST

yes

no

yes

no

 

WILL

yes

no

no

yes

Both witnesses

FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

yes

yes, if recorded

yes

yes or notary

 

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE

yes

yes or 2 witnesses

yes

yes or notary*

 

DEED

yes

yes

yes

no

 

 

*Witnesses must not be your health care provider, an employee of your health care provider, or an operator or an employee of your community care facility or residential care facility. If you are a patient at a skilled nursing facility, you must also have a patient advocate or ombudsman designated by the California Department of Aging to sign your Advance Health Care Directive as a witness.