Sara's Notary and Loan Signing Agent-Iowa

This information is for those of you who don’t have your affairs in order. Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.

- TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with the court saves your heirs thousands. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your Death Certificate and they will then have the deed signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.

- Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions.

- Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if one is no longer competent to do so.

- Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for their person.

- Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go too.

- Funeral Planning Declaration: States one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the service/s.

- If the above documents are completed, you can AVOID probate. If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have your executor to open the estate account. The executor also has to publicize your death in the newspaper or post publication at the courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete nuisance.

- Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid. Make sure heirs knows where life insurance policies are located.

- Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!

- Make sure you have titles for all automobiles, campers, motorcycles etc

- MOST IMPORTANTLY!- Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.

Hope this lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things and to make it easier for those we all leave behind. There is no template for these documents. these are quite simply, written documents, in your own words, and an exercise in just instructing your wishes to be carried out in detail in plain English.

The above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones.

Spreading this information for those of you that don’t have your affairs in order. Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.
- TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.
- Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions
- Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if one is no longer competent to do so.
- Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for their person.
- Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go too.
- Funeral Planning Declaration: allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services.
- If the above documents are done, you can AVOID probate. If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the newspaper or post publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete PAIN.
- Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid. Make sure heirs knows where life insurance policies are located.
- Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!
- Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc!
- MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! - Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.
Hope this helps! Hope this lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we all leave behind!
My hope is that the above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones.
Check you state laws!!!

I work as a notary and a piece of advice...when you move to a new address (even just across the street) you need to update your license. This is a state law. I have people who moved 3 times in the last 4 years who have not updated their license.

If you're moving to Iowa from another state, you must obtain an Iowa driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident and can do so by presenting proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of your new Iowa residency. If you are already an Iowa resident who has moved within the state, you must update your address on your license within 30 days by either visiting a driver's license service center or using an online service to update your address in the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) records.

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Iowa Notary-Sara's Mobile Notary · 2644 Maple St, Des Moines, IA 50317 5.0 ★ · Notary public

🔎 Why Personal Appearance & Proper ID Matter in Notarization – And Why You Need a Notary Who Takes It Seriously!

When it comes to notarizing your important documents, there’s no room for mistakes. That’s why at Sara's Mobile Notary, I follow the highest standards of identity verification and personal appearance requirements—because protecting you from fraud is my top priority!

✅ No ID, No Notarization! I carefully verify your government-issued ID to ensure that YOU are the one signing—keeping your documents legally sound and fraud-proof.
✅ In-Person Matters! I make sure all signers are present and aware, preventing unauthorized signatures and ensuring full compliance with the law.
✅ Your Documents, Done Right. Whether it’s a real estate transaction, power of attorney, or other critical paperwork, my process guarantees accuracy, security, and peace of mind.

💡 Not all notaries are the same. Choosing a diligent, detail-oriented notary like me means choosing protection, professionalism, and reliability for your most important transactions.

📍 Need a trusted mobile notary who comes to you and gets the job done right? Let’s make it happen—fast, convenient, and secure!

📞 Call/Text: (641) 660-4059
📧 Email: [email protected]

🔁 Tag someone who needs a notary they can trust! Des Moines and Central Iowa

Keep in mind that i am available to do POAs and Wills. I can meet you in your home, hospital or nursing home.

As required by State of Iowa code 9B.25:

I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.

Documents related to motor vehicles, such as titles, registrations, and transfer documents, can be notarized in Iowa. This helps prevent fraudulent transfers and ensures the proper transfer of ownership.

Notaries in Iowa can notarize a wide range of legal documents such as contracts, affidavits, wills, power of attorney, and deeds. These documents often require notarization to ensure their enforceability and authenticity.

You have a loved one in the hospital or nursing home in the Des Moines Metro. It has been decided that a Power Of Attorney, Living Will, Health Directive and/or Last Will needs to be signed. I can help with that. Forms can be found/bought online or at Staples. Call me at 641-660-4059 and we will set up an appointment for us to meet at either the hospital or nursing home so I can notorize the documents.