Planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. As defined by Investopedia,  a last will and testament ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your passing. But did you know that notarizing your will can add a critical layer of legal protection and validation?

At Long Island City Mobile Notary Services, we understand how sensitive and essential estate planning can be. Whether you're creating a new will or updating an existing one, having your documents properly notarized can save your beneficiaries stress, time, and legal complications.

Below, we’ll explore the importance of will notarization, how the process works in New York, and how a mobile notary can simplify everything for you.

Do Wills Need to Be Notarized in New York?

According to Law Help NY, in New York State a will does not have to be notarized to be considered legally valid. However, notarization plays a major role in making your will “self-proving.” A self-proving will includes a notarized affidavit from the witnesses stating that the testator (you) signed the will willingly and understood its contents.

Why is this important? A self-proving affidavit helps expedite the probate process by eliminating the need for witnesses to appear in court after your death. This can save your family time, legal fees, and emotional strain.

What Is a Self-Proving Affidavit?

Trust & Will explained that a self-proving affidavit is a notarized statement signed by the testator and their witnesses. It affirms that the will was executed properly and without coercion. In New York, this document is typically attached to the back of the will.

Without a self-proving affidavit, your will may still be valid—but may will be subject to a longer and more complex probate process. Using a licensed notary public to notarize this affidavit ensures your will can be validated quickly by the Surrogate’s Court after your passing.

Why Use a Mobile Notary for Estate Planning?

Handling sensitive legal documents such as wills and trusts can be overwhelming. That’s why working with a mobile notary offers several advantages:

✔️ Convenience and Privacy: With Long Island City Mobile Notary Services, there’s no need to travel or wait in line. We bring professional notarization to your home, office, or preferred location, ensuring your privacy and comfort.

✔️ Flexible Scheduling: Whether it’s during regular hours, evenings, or weekends, we offer flexible appointment times to meet your scheduling needs. We also provide emergency notary services for urgent estate planning situations.

✔️ Accuracy and Legal Compliance: We ensure that your will and supporting documents are signed and notarized correctly in accordance with New York State law, reducing the risk of disputes or rejection during probate.

Additional Estate Planning Documents That May Require Notarization

In addition to wills, here are a few common estate planning documents that often require document notarization:

• Powers of Attorney

• Healthcare Proxies

• Living Wills

• Trust Agreements

Having these documents notarized by a certified notary strengthens their validity and makes them easier to enforce.

Bottom Line

While notarizing your will in New York isn’t mandatory, doing so—especially by including a self-proving affidavit—can significantly streamline the legal process for your loved ones. A mobile notary provides a convenient, confidential, and secure way to ensure your estate planning documents are executed properly.

Long Island City Mobile Notary Services, led by Adam Palasciano, offers trusted, on-demand notary services for wills and other critical legal documents across the NYC area. Whether you're preparing for the future or updating your existing plans, we're here to help make the process smooth, secure, and stress-free. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via phone, WhatsApp, email, or via the appointment scheduling form for a price quote and to schedule your appointment today!

Read More: What Is a Notarized Affidavit and Why You Might Need One