This March 2020 notice describes emergency arrangements for signing estate planning documents during the initial COVID-19 response. It is an archive, not current signing instructions. Contact Clarie Law to confirm the requirements and options for your documents today.
Original March 2020 Office Announcement
At this time due to a pandemic and a state of emergency declared in the State of Florida, we are not seeing clients in the office. Instead, we review plans and meet clients by telephone. We then arrange document signings under the Florida mandates and court orders in effect at that time. Please reach out to the office and we will work with you to best arrange how to execute your documents based on public health directives at the time.
Our current options to execute documents are as follows:
(1) We are offering drive-in document signings. You remain in your vehicle and we come to you at a safe distance and then execute the documents. We provide the witnesses and notary services and follow several safety protocols to avoid any unnecessary spread of germs, including the use of hand sanitizer and not sharing writing pens.
OR (2) We can provide signing instructions to you at your home and you can arrange for your witnesses to be present. We can call in during your signing to provide step-by-step instructions but your witnesses and you must be present in the same room.
The only documents requiring notarization are the Durable Power of Attorney and Quit Claim Deed and we have removed the notary jurat from other documents which normally have the jurat during this time.
The notice also referred to a special Florida Supreme Court order on notarization. Under that temporary arrangement, an office notary might assist through audio and visual communication. Clients needed to confirm whether the order applied to their signing. Many clients are finding their own notary if they elect to sign at home.
TO HELP YOU EXECUTE YOUR DOCUMENTS AT HOME, CHECK OUT OUR POWERPOINT PRESENTATION WITH A VISUAL AID
TO HELP YOU EXECUTE YOUR LEGAL DOCUMENTS AT HOME.
Preparing to Sign Estate Planning Documents
A finished draft is only one part of an estate plan. The signing process also matters. Before your appointment, ask which documents require witnesses, a notary, or other formal steps. Different documents can have different rules, so a single signing method may not fit the whole package.
For example, Florida law sets specific witnessing requirements for wills. Powers of attorney also have execution requirements. Review the Florida will-signing statute with your attorney rather than relying on an old emergency notice.
Questions to Resolve Before the Appointment
First, check that names, addresses, and decision makers match your intentions. Then ask how to handle any last-minute correction. Avoid adding handwritten changes or signing early without guidance. Also confirm whether the office needs identification or other information before the meeting.
After signing, ask where to keep the originals and who should receive copies. Tell a trusted person how to locate your documents when needed. However, keep sensitive financial information secure and share it only with appropriate people.
Our estate planning services include helping clients coordinate documents with their goals. To discuss signing estate planning documents, contact Clarie Law for an appointment. Explain any travel or accessibility needs so the team can discuss suitable arrangements.
