ATJustice

Signing Instructions

Signing your estate planning documents correctly matters as much as what's written in them — a document that isn't properly signed and witnessed may not be valid when it's needed most. This page walks you through what to expect, in general terms. Because the exact requirements vary by state, your actual signing instructions — tailored to your state — are included with your finalized documents from ATJustice.

Before You Sign

A few things to confirm before you get to the signing table:

  • Read every document in full before signing anything.

  • Confirm every name, fiduciary appointment (executor, agent, guardian), and address is correct.

  • Confirm any elections, initials, or blanks in the documents are complete and reflect your wishes.

  • If anything looks wrong or unclear, don't sign — contact your attorney first.

General Signing Rules

These apply no matter where you live or which document you're signing:

  • Use the actual date of signing — never an earlier or later date.

  • Sign your name exactly as it appears in the document.

  • Never sign a draft, an incomplete copy, or a document with blank signature, initial, witness, or date lines.

  • Keep every page of a signed original together — don't remove staples or rearrange pages afterward.

  • If you're signing multiple originals, sign each one as an original — a photocopy of a signed page isn't itself an original.

  • Bring valid government-issued ID if any part of the signing will be notarized.

  • Try to sign each document in one sitting rather than across multiple sessions.

What to Expect, Document by Document

The exact requirements vary by state — your state-specific signing instructions, included with your documents, spell out exactly what's needed. Here's the general shape:

  • Will. Most states require your signature at the end of the will, and many also use witnesses and a notarized “self-proving affidavit” that makes probate easier later. Exactly how many witnesses, and whether notarization is required, depends on your state.

  • Financial Power of Attorney. States typically require your signature, often notarized, and often witnessed — the specifics (how many witnesses, who can't serve as one) vary.

  • Healthcare Power of Attorney / Living Will. Most states require your signature with witnesses present; some also expect a notary. Your state's exact rules are in your personalized instructions.

After You Sign

Signing isn't the finish line — a few last steps make sure your plan actually works when it's needed:

  • Make copies. As a general guide: keep at least one full copy of your will; give copies of your Financial Power of Attorney to your named agent(s); give copies of your Healthcare Power of Attorney / Living Will to your healthcare agent(s), your doctor, and any hospital that keeps advance directives on file.

  • Store the originals safely. Somewhere secure, dry, and fire-resistant — and somewhere the people who'll need them (your executor, your agents) can actually find when the time comes. A locked drawer only you know about defeats the purpose.

  • Let key people know. Your executor should know where your will is. Your agents should have their own copies of their powers of attorney.

  • Revisit your plan when life changes. A marriage, divorce, birth, death, move to a new state, or major change in assets is a good reason to review your plan again.

Questions?

If anything about the signing process is unclear, reach out to your attorney before you sign.

How the ATJustice process works