As a Washington State notary, I meet people at all kinds of moments—some planned, some unexpected. And if there’s one thing I hear often, it’s this:
“I’ve been meaning to take care of this… I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Estate planning is one of those things that’s easy to put off—not because people don’t care, but because life is busy and the topic can feel overwhelming.
A Very Common Conversation
Many of the people I work with tell me they thought estate planning was:
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Something to do later in life
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Only necessary if you have a lot of assets
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Too complicated or expensive to tackle right now
Most are doing their best with full plates—careers, families, aging parents, or all of the above. There’s no judgment here. I simply see, time and again, how much easier things can be when even a basic plan is in place.
Estate Planning Is About Everyday Life
Estate planning isn’t just about “end of life” planning. At its core, it’s about making sure your wishes are clear and that the people you care about aren’t left guessing.
Life changes like marriage, home ownership, starting a business, or welcoming children often prompt people to finally ask, “Do I have the right documents in place?” And that’s a good question to ask—at any age.
When There Isn’t a Plan Yet
When someone hasn’t put anything in place, families are often left trying to make decisions during already stressful situations. In Washington State, this can sometimes involve court processes or default rules that may not reflect what the person would have wanted.
While I can’t offer legal advice, I’ve seen how having clear, properly executed documents can bring peace of mind—not just for the person planning, but for their loved ones as well.
How a Notary Helps
Many estate planning documents need to be notarized to be valid. My role as a notary is to help make sure documents are signed correctly, identities are verified, and everything is completed properly.
I work with individuals, couples, and families across Kitsap County and Washington State, offering both mobile notary services and remote online notarization (RON) for added convenience.
👉 You can learn more about my notary services here
Starting Small Is Still Starting
One thing I like to remind people is that getting started doesn’t mean you have to do everything at once. Even taking time to understand your options can be a helpful first step.
Many clients tell me they feel relieved once they’ve taken that step—knowing they’ve done something to look out for the people they love.
👉 If you’re not sure where to begin, I’ve created a simple resource to help:
Free Estate Planning Starter Checklist
Starting Where You Are
In my experience, no one looks back and wishes they had waited longer. Most people simply wish they’d known sooner how manageable the process could be.
If estate planning has been on your mind but keeps getting pushed to the side, know that you’re not behind—and you don’t have to do everything at once. Even taking time to learn your options or gather information is a meaningful step.
When you’re ready, there are simple, approachable ways to begin.
👉 To explore straightforward will and trust options designed for everyday families, visit:
Trusts & Wills
DISCLOSURES:
Precision Notary and its employees are not attorneys licensed to practice law in this state. We are not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.
This page may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
All legal documents offered are provided by Everything Living Trust.
Document translation & interpretation services are provided by Idiomatic Language Services.
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