Some of the most meaningful appointments I handle happen in skilled nursing facilities. Recently, a family who flew in from Louisiana found Wet Ink Notary online, read through our client reviews, and hired me to help their aunt and uncle sign their power of attorney and advance health care directive documents. Their aunt is a resident at Villa Mesa Care Center in Upland, and their uncle is at The Grove in Sylmar. We took care of both signings on the same day.
Why Skilled Nursing Facility Signings Are Different
Notarizing documents for a resident of a skilled nursing facility in California is not the same as a signing at someone’s kitchen table. Under California Probate Code section 4675, an advance health care directive signed by a patient in a skilled nursing facility has no effect unless a patient advocate or ombudsman also signs it as a witness. That rule exists to give residents extra assurance that they are signing willingly.
Before I arrived, I prepared the advance health care directive with a tab marking exactly where the ombudsman needed to sign, and I made sure the ombudsman knew the directive would be signed in the facility. Getting this detail right protects the family. A directive missing the ombudsman’s signature can be rejected later, when the family needs it most.
First Stop: Villa Mesa Care Center in Upland
When I arrived at Villa Mesa Care Center, I sat down with the family’s aunt before we talked about any paperwork. She told me about growing up and about the birthday cakes she baked every single year for the nieces who had hired me. You could see how much those memories meant to her, and how happy she was that someone wanted to hear them.
Once she was comfortable, we went through her power of attorney and advance health care directive at her pace. I verified her identity, confirmed she understood what she was signing and was signing willingly, and completed the notarization.
Same Day: The Grove in Sylmar
Right after the first signing, we drove about an hour to Sylmar to meet her husband at The Grove, another skilled nursing facility. The same rules applied, so his advance health care directive was prepared for the ombudsman’s signature as well. I took time to get to know him and hear about his own journey before we signed his power of attorney and advance health care directive. By the end of the day, both of them had their documents properly signed and notarized.
It’s Not About Me. It’s About You.
A notary appointment can be stressful for families, especially when a loved one is in a care facility. I already know my own story. What I want to know is yours. Taking a few minutes to listen to a resident’s stories, answer the family’s questions, and make everyone comfortable with the process is what turns a routine signing into an experience people remember. That, along with getting the legal details right, is what I believe sets Wet Ink Notary apart.
Planning a Signing at a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Here is what helps the appointment go smoothly:
- Valid ID. The signer needs current government-issued photo ID. If their ID is expired or missing, ask me about the credible witness option.
- Completed documents. Have the forms ready, but do not sign them before I arrive.
- Ombudsman or patient advocate. For an advance health care directive signed in a skilled nursing facility, one must sign as a witness. I help coordinate this with the facility.
- A good time of day. Choose a time when your loved one is usually alert and comfortable, and let the facility staff know I’m coming.
- The signer’s own decision. The person signing must understand the documents and sign willingly. Family members cannot sign on their behalf.
Wet Ink Notary serves skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and hospitals throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, including Upland, Sylmar, and everywhere in between. Call or text (626) 248-0349 or request a free quote, and I’ll help you plan the visit.
Wet Ink Notary LLC is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. If you have questions about which documents you need, please consult an attorney.