Doing Bussiness the Right Way
The start of a new year often inspires us to refresh, reorganize, and set new goals. For many, that means focusing on their personal and financial affairs. While creating vision boards and setting resolutions are wonderful, one important task that often gets overlooked is reviewing and updating essential legal documents. As a notary public, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to keep these documents current and legally binding.
If you're an entrepreneur, a homeowner, or simply someone working to keep your affairs in order, now is the perfect time to revisit the documents that safeguard your interests. Let’s talk about why this matters, which documents require attention, and how a notary public can help you start the year strong.
Why Updating Notarized Documents Matters
Life changes. Over a year, you might experience events that directly impact your legal and financial documents: a marriage, a new home purchase, a business expansion, or a significant change in your family. Even if nothing major happened, keeping your documents current ensures they are accurate, enforceable, and aligned with your goals.
Failing to update or review these documents can lead to issues such as:
Legal disputes or misunderstandings.
Invalid or outdated agreements.
Missed opportunities to protect yourself, your assets, and your family.
As a notary public, I ensure the legal validity of documents through notarization, which is a key step in confirming the authenticity of signatures and preventing fraud.
Documents You Should Review and Update Annually
Here are some critical documents that often require a notary signature and should be reviewed, updated, and notarized as needed:
Last Will and Testament
Your will dictates how your estate will be handled after your passing. Life changes—like the birth of a child, a marriage, or acquiring new assets—should prompt a review of this document to ensure it reflects your current wishes. Notarization adds an extra layer of authenticity and can help prevent challenges to its validity.
Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA allows someone you trust to act on your behalf in financial or healthcare matters. As circumstances change, the person you assigned as your agent might need to be updated. A notary public will verify your signature to make the POA legally binding.
Advance Healthcare Directive
Also known as a living will, this document outlines your preferences for medical care if you become unable to communicate. Updating it annually ensures that it reflects your current health wishes and any changes in relationships.
Real Estate Documents
If you bought, sold, or refinanced property last year, your real estate records should be reviewed. Documents such as deeds, affidavits, or property agreements often require notarization to confirm their legitimacy.
Business Agreements
Entrepreneurs should review contracts, operating agreements, and business partnerships annually. These updates require notarized signatures to ensure legal clarity and enforceability if you’ve added partners, changed roles, or expanded operations.
Trust Documents
If you’ve set up a trust to manage your assets, it’s vital to review it regularly to account for any changes in beneficiaries, assets, or trustees. Keeping this updated ensures your wishes are carried out seamlessly.
Affidavits
Affidavits are sworn statements often used for financial or legal purposes. If circumstances have changed, you may need to create or update affidavits related to residency, identity verification, or financial status—all of which require notarization.
New Year, New Start: Take Action Today
The new year symbolizes a fresh start—and that applies to your legal documents, too. Here’s how you can get organized:
Gather Your Documents: Locate all your key documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and business contracts.
Review and Update: Assess if any changes need to be made based on life events, new goals, or legal requirements.
Schedule a Notary Appointment: Once your documents are updated, reach out to a trusted notary public to finalize and notarize them.
Whether you’re a business owner, a homeowner, or planning for the future, staying proactive will save you stress, protect your assets, and give you peace of mind. Take the first step toward a more organized and secure year. Gather your documents and schedule your notary appointment and let’s make 2025 the year you stay ahead!
Upcoming Events
First Time/New Notary Applicant - Intro to Notary Practice
December 14, 2024
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Pl, Columbia, MD 21045
This class is designed for both new or first-time notary applicants and renewal candidates. This class offers hands-on learning and a comprehensive coverage of the essential rules, regulations, and best practices for conducting notarizations in Maryland. Add your text here. Edit to add dynamic values like name, email, and more.
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