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Living trusts and mentors: How one Notary found a new way to make money

Updated 5-18-22.

To all of our readers asking for more information about working with living trusts: Thank you for contacting us regarding this article! We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura offers a Notary living trusts training class, and she suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search! —​ The Editors

***

When Fresno signing agent and business owner Shelly Kitchen saw her loan signing assignments go from 25 to 35 a week to about 10 a month, she wasn’t surprised — it’s a reality of the cyclical mortgage industry, after all. Still, she knew she had to find ways to diversify her Notary business in order to keep afloat. That’s when she discovered the value of having relationships with other Notaries in her area.

Looking for some guidance, she turned to colleague Laura Biewer, who introduced her to a lucrative revenue stream notarizing living trusts and referred her to a company that hires Notaries for these assignments.

A living trust is a legal estate-planning document detailing exactly what the grantor wants done with his estate, assets, healthcare and legal affairs, both after, and in some cases, during, his lifetime, should he become incapacitated.

Living trust signing appointments typically 60 to 75 minutes for a two-person trust — roughly the same as a loan signing. Generally no pre-printing of documents is involved.

The company Kitchen was referred to provided her comprehensive over-the-phone training and scripts to follow. She also studied sample trusts and accompanied Biewer on signings to see how they were done. “Mistakes might not be discovered for years, and might come back to bite you,” says Kitchen, who triple-checks every document.

“I remind signers of everything they will need when first making the appointment, then I call them on the day of the appointment to remind them again,” says Kitchen, explaining that elderly signers can sometimes require extra time and patience.

Ensuring signers are aware of what they are signing is paramount when it comes to end-of-life documents or those requiring powers of attorney. That sometimes means speaking a little slower and a little louder, should elderly signers require it.

“Talking about death is comfortable for me,” says Kitchen, who often draws upon her past job experience as a funeral arrangement planner. “I tell my signers that this is the time when you want to discuss these issues, when you are healthy and happy.”

“Whether you are delivering a loan document or a living trust, the experience should be a happy one,” says Kitchen, whose humor and positive attitude have helped her build lasting client relationships. “They’ve generally already talked to the lawyers or bankers and have done all the hard work. I’m just the final step in the process. Why not make it a happy one?”

Kitchen’s ample training, attention to detail, and overall positive attitude — along with the helpful nudge from Laura Biewer — have all helped her to expand her long-standing Notary business. “I sent Laura a thank you gift,” says Kitchen, who continues to pay it forward by mentoring others in the field.


Additional Resources:

Alternate Income Opportunities

65 Comments

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proberson90@yahoo.com

26 Jun 2014

I would like to know more about this income opportunity. Please forward me the information to my email proberson90@yahoo.com. Thank you

Ingrid LeMasters

10 Jul 2014

It's great that you've found a way to help people with this. Because of some recent situations, I've started reminding (urging) people to consider doing their trusts. Shelley is part of a really important process.

Genevieve Nieto

11 Jul 2014

I really would like information regarding not notarizing trust, living trust, etc. Sincerely

National Notary Association

14 Jul 2014

Hello Genevieve! We'd be happy to answer any specific questions about notarizing living trusts you'd like to ask. You can contact our Hotline team at 888-876-6827 or hotline@nationalnotary.org for assistance. If you have any questions regarding the article itself, please email us at publications@nationalnotary.org. Thanks for your interest and have a great day.

Debbie Anderson

15 Jul 2014

I would also like to learn more about this area. Any information you can provide would be helpful.

Pauline A Fernandez

23 Jul 2014

Hi, Shelley, I would like to have more information on the business of signing Living Trusts. I have often been asked about this but didn't know who to ask. I also Live in the Fresno/Clovis area. C: 559-360-4940. Ques: should I change my E-mail address to fit my notary business?

Teresa Villanueva

28 Jul 2014

please send me information on how to get started

National Notary Association

30 Jul 2014

Hi Teresa. We'll be happy to forward your information to Laura and ask if she can get in touch and help you with your questions. Please email your contact information to us at social@nationalnotary.org and we'll forward it to Laura. Thanks and have a great day.

Audrey Newson

30 Jul 2014

I too, would like to receive more information on notarizing living trust income opportunity. Please forward info to my email at anewson2011.an@gmail.com Thanks!

Lorinda

31 Jul 2014

Hi. I have never notarized a Living Trust before and have an appointment for one in 2 days. Ive been doing alot of research on them, but still some of my questions were not answered. After reading your Bulletin, and seeing that it may take upto 3 hours, I am really nervous!! I had no Idea it would take that long. Why does it take that long? I think I will refer them to a more experienced notary.

Tim Bodle

04 Aug 2014

That was a good article on Living Trusts and Mentors. Please send me more information on how to get started and what else to read. Many thanks!

National Notary Association

04 Aug 2014

Hello Mr. Bodle, Thanks, we're glad you found the article helpful! If you'd like to contact Laura Biewer or Shelly Kitchen, please email your contact information to social@nationalnotary.org and we'll let them know you are interested in getting in touch.

Juanita Chirikas

11 Aug 2014

Please send me more info on notarizing living trust & trust income opportunities. jsc-mobilenotary@hotmail.com Thank you

Linda J. Panzo

12 Aug 2014

I too would like more information regarding this income opportunity. TIA

National Notary Association

18 Aug 2014

Thank you to everyone who contacted us regarding this article! We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages! At this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in CA is not looking for new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that any Notaries that are interested in working with living trusts can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in their area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. Best of luck to everyone who contacted us!

National Notary Association

18 Aug 2014

To all of our readers who have contacted Laura and Shelly asking for more information about working with living trusts, thank you for contacting us regarding this article! We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages, so I’m helping them answer queries on this topic. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search! Sincerely, David Thun Associate Editor, NNA

talesha20002000@yahoo.com

20 Aug 2014

I would like to learn more about the different job opportunities Please

National Notary Association

22 Aug 2014

Hello, In addition to the information in the article, here's a link to information on more possible alternate income avenues for Notaries: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/07/five-ways-to-earn-alternate-income

Jackie Lynch

25 Aug 2014

Can you let us know how much these notarizations pay per living trusts? Thanks for the great information!

National Notary Association

26 Aug 2014

Hi Jackie! Fees will vary depending on the company that hires the Notary. Laura Biewer has suggested that you can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in their area to see if they need mobile Notary services for their clients. Good luck!

Dmitriy Binyaminov

01 Sep 2014

Please sent me the link/article about how to properly notarize living trust

National Notary Association

03 Sep 2014

Hello Dmitriy, Here is a link to a related Hotline Tip on living trusts: https://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/2014/03/hotline-tip-notarizing-living-trusts

Laura whitney

24 Nov 2014

I would like any information you could send me please. I'm new notary and very eager to learning more.

National Notary Association

25 Nov 2014

Hi Laura! If you are interested in additional articles on building business as a Notary, more articles are available here: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business. You can also read more about alternate income opportunities here: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/alternate-income-opportunities You may also wish to join our Notary General Discussion group on LinkedIn, where you can ask questions and have discussions with other Notaries from around the U.S. Link is here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostRecent=&gid=112982&trk=my_groups-tile-flipgrp Please contact us at social@nationalnotary.org if we can be of further assistance. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Bonita Palmer

16 Mar 2015

I too am brand new and want to maxamize and diversify my business. I will appreciate any and all advice you can provide. Tv

National Notary Association

17 Mar 2015

Hello Bonita! We have some articles with tips on building your Notary business here: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business. I hope they are helpful to you. Best of luck with your business and please let us know if we can be of further help to you.

Camille Pine

07 May 2015

Please tell me what has to be done in order to do add this to my resume. Its very interesting and I would like to talk more in depth. Dont hestitate to reach out to me via email at camillep81@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

EBC

19 May 2015

Please provide more information on this opportunity on the email provided. Thank you.

National Notary Association

20 May 2015

Hello. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search!

Phill Comeaux

27 May 2015

Would like to get more information and contact information on what to do.

Leslie

29 Jun 2015

Thank you for this article. It was a big help to me in my endeavors to try to find a means of extra income from home since the mortgage business has gone down so drastically.

rosa

06 Aug 2015

I would like to know more about the Notary business. i have been a notary for over 15 years a barely use it for work.

National Notary Association

07 Aug 2015

Hello. You may wish to read the articles in the Notary Bulletin under "Alternate Income Opportunities" (http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/alternate-income-opportunities) and "Building Your Business" (http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business). I hope these links are helpful to you.

Louise Mooney

16 Nov 2015

I would like to get more information on notarizing living trusts if Shelly is still mentoring and helping new beginners out.

National Notary Association

17 Nov 2015

Hi Louise. Shelly's article is one of our most popular...she's been flooded with requests for mentoring and advice! While the agency she works with has all the Notaries they need for services at this time, Shelly and Laura recommended contacting agencies that prepare or deal with living trusts in your area and asking if they need any freelance Notary services.

Mattie Sanders

21 Jan 2016

I am very interested this opportunity. Please forward information to getting involved in this job opportunity. Thank you

National Notary Association

25 Jan 2016

Hello Mattie. Thank you for contacting us regarding this article. We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search!

Gloria Cunning

14 Jun 2016

Excellent article. Glad to hear all is going well for you.

Angela Harris

04 Dec 2016

Hello, I am in the state of Virginia and would like more information regarding this. Thank you.

National Notary Association

05 Dec 2016

Hello Angela. Laura Biewer has suggested that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search!

Cynthia Turman

30 Dec 2016

Please send me more info re this opportunity.

National Notary Association

30 Dec 2016

Hello. If you are interested in additional articles on building business as a Notary, more articles are available here: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/building-your-business. You can also read more about alternate income opportunities here: http://www.nationalnotary.org/notary-bulletin/blog/alternate-income-opportunities You may also wish to join our Notary General Discussion group on LinkedIn, where you can ask questions and have discussions with other Notaries from around the U.S. Link is here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostRecent=&gid=112982&trk=my_groups-tile-flipgrp Please contact us at social@nationalnotary.org if we can be of further assistance.

Byron Freeman

06 Mar 2017

Hello, How much do notaries charge for Trust signing services...ballpark? Thanks

National Notary Association

07 Mar 2017

Hello. Fees will vary depending on the company that hires the Notary. Laura Biewer has suggested that you can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary services for their clients. Good luck!

Ray Lacy

13 Mar 2017

I would like to know more on this

Allison

11 Sep 2017

I would like to learn more please forward information.

Lisa White

02 Jan 2018

What's the process to get started? I am a singing agent. How do I locate opportunties?

dana harper

21 Jun 2018

I would like more information on notarizing living trusts.

Tina Silva

22 Jun 2018

I would like to get more information on how to get started. This would be a great addition to my business.

National Notary Association

27 Jun 2018

Hello. Laura Biewer suggests getting started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary services for their clients.

Ira Weiss

17 Sep 2018

How do I get info notarizing living trusts here in az? I don't want to call on an estate planning atry yet, until I have more information about it. Thank you.

National Notary Association

18 Sep 2018

Hello. If you have questions about notarizing living trusts, you can contact our Hotline team at 888-876-6827 or hotline@nationalnotary.org for assistance.

Shannon

20 Nov 2018

Could you please send me the info on how to do that.

JVALMobileNotary@outlook.com

14 Apr 2020

I would like more information on notarizing living trusts.

Gary McWilliams

26 Oct 2020

I would like to know more about this income opportunity. Please forward me the information to my email gary@arnotaryapostille.com...I live in NW Arkansas. This subject comes up occasionally & I would like to know more about it. Thank you. Gary Mc

National Notary Association

29 Oct 2020

Hello. Thank you for contacting us regarding this article. We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search!

Oldpueblomobilenotary@gmail.com

07 Dec 2020

Hello, what a wonderful expansion this would be for extra income. I would love to have more information on beginning another chapter in my notary business. Could you please send me some information. I would appreciate it.

National Notary Associatio

10 Dec 2020

Thank you for contacting us regarding this article. We're glad you found it interesting and helpful. We received so many queries about this that Laura and Shelly have been flooded with messages. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary services for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search.

Esther Rose

09 Feb 2021

I truly enjoyed reading the article along with multiple responses. I do have a question that I did see. Is there additional training that is required for this. Thank you so much for reading my response. Keep safe out there!

Suze Fortune

23 Jul 2021

Hello, I am interested in becoming a living trust and mentor, would you share the information with me on how to? Thanks in advance.

MAMIE Rose NESBIT

09 Sep 2021

I would love to know more about this and companies that offer this opportunity. Please email any information that you have. Thanking you in advance.

National Notary Association

10 Sep 2021

Hello. Unfortunately, at this time, the company that Laura and Shelly work with in California is not seeking any new Notaries. However, Laura suggests that Notaries can get started by contacting estate planning attorneys in your area to see if they need mobile Notary for their clients. We wish you good luck with your search.

Douglas Porter

17 Oct 2022

It is 2022 and once again signings have dropped significantly. Is there a possibility of finding some training in this field for Oregon LSA's I would like to earn income in other areas outside of Loan Signing if at all possible. Please let me know who to contact about this in Oregon.

Cortez Crawford

08 Jan 2023

Does this really like up with notary wish I am I would like more information it will be nice to have extra cash

LAURA J BIEWER

28 Aug 2023

FYI This is a hot topic and work is even more available since COVID, An updated course co-written by Laura Biewer and Bill Soroka is available with additional marketing opportunities to become a certified notary trust delivery agent for Living Trust Presentations through notarycoach.com/CNTDA

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