"All Things Notary . . ."
"All Things Notary . . ."
A Monthly Blog Series of Informational Articles . . .
A Monthly Blog Series of Informational Articles . . .
Parents and College Students – Importance of Having a Will, Power of Attorney, Medical Directive, and Life Insurance
Parents and College Students – Importance of Having a Will, Power of Attorney, Medical Directive, and Life Insurance
March 12, 2023
Please note. I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice. Therefore, nothing in this article should be considered as legal advice. Sadly, this article was inspired by the recent, tragic, and senseless mass shooting at Michigan State University on February 13, 2023 in which three college students were killed and several others injured. Truly, my heart goes out to the victims, their families/friends, and the community at large. No one should have to bury their child or see their child’s future altered in such a drastic fashion.
Unfortunately, this is a horrific twist that life can throw us as parents. Because of this, it is crucial that preparing students for college, also includes planning for any tragic event that would impact your ability to act on their behalf or to carry out their wishes.
As college students embark on their journey towards independence, they are often preoccupied with classes, extracurricular activities, and social lives. However, it's essential for them to also consider the importance of wills, power of attorneys, medical directives, and having a life insurance policy. Once your student turns 18, they are legally considered adults. Because of this, you will be unable to make medical or financial decisions on his or her behalf, regardless if you are paying tuition, carrying him or her on your medical insurance, or providing other financial assistance.
At minimum, your college student should have a current medical directive, durable power of attorney for health care decisions, a durable power of attorney for financial matters, as well as, a life insurance policy. Medical directives are essential documents that allow individuals to communicate their healthcare wishes in case they become unable to do so themselves. This can include instructions for life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other important decisions. A durable power of attorney allows a parent or any trusted adult to take any legal or financial action on the student’s behalf. Having a life insurance policy will save the family from worrying about how to bury his or her child.
If your students has other assets, that is where a will comes into play. A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's property will be distributed after their death. While college students may not have many assets to distribute, having a will in place ensures that their wishes are carried out and can prevent confusion or disagreements among family members.
College students, in particular, may face unique risks such as studying abroad, participating in risky sports or activities, and living in communal dorms, where illnesses can easily spread. Having medical directives in place can provide peace of mind for both the student and their loved ones, ensuring that their wishes are respected in case of an unexpected medical emergency.
It's also important to note that these documents should be updated as circumstances change. For example, a college student may acquire new assets or change their healthcare wishes over time, and these documents should be revised accordingly.
While this topic may not be the most exciting for parents and college students to think about, they are essential for ensuring that their wishes are carried out and their loved ones are taken care of. Students can and should consult with an attorney. However, the use of online resources is also an option to create these documents (consulting with an attorney is recommended).
Taking these steps can provide peace of mind and allow parents and their college students to focus on their academic and personal goals, without worrying about the unexpected. Your local notary can assist in the notarization of these documents, when required. If you are in my service area and need notarization services, please feel free to contact me.
Brief History on the Origins of the Notary Profession
Brief History on the Origins of the Notary Profession
February 11, 2023
Welcome to my first blog entry! I am excited to share with you many informational articles but first thought it would be appropriate to give you a brief history on the notary profession. Moving forward, have anything you want me to write about? Please contact me! Either way, check back monthly for what is happening in "All Things Notary"!
Notaries are a key part of the legal system, acting as impartial witnesses to the signing of important documents and certifying their authenticity. But how did this profession originate?
The practice of using notaries can be traced back to ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome, where they were used to authenticate legal documents and business transactions. The Ancient Egyptian “sesh,” or “scribes,” were established in the Old Kingdom and were the earliest known chroniclers of official communications in recorded history. The recording of events was so highly valued that Pharaoh Tutankhamen even included writing equipment amongst the necessities he had with him for the afterlife.
When the Roman Empire fell and Europe was plunged into the Dark Ages, the tradition of notaries was maintained in the Catholic Church. Monks acted as notaries, preserving the important records of the Church and certifying the authenticity of important documents.
As Europe began to emerge from the Dark Ages and commerce began to thrive once again, the need for notaries became even more pressing. Merchants needed a way to authenticate their transactions, and the Catholic Church was the only institution with the resources and authority to do so. Over time, the role of notaries evolved and became more secular, with private individuals acting as notaries and charging fees for their services.
When the United States was founded, the tradition of notaries came with the colonists. Notaries were appointed by state governments to certify the authenticity of legal documents and to administer oaths. As the country grew and the legal system evolved, the role of notaries became even more important.
In conclusion, notaries have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient civilizations and evolving over time to meet the changing needs of society. Today, notaries are an integral part of the United States' legal system, and nearly every state requires notaries to be commissioned by its government and to follow strict ethical standards. But in different parts of the world, the role of a notary can be vastly different.
FUN FACT: John Coolidge was born in 1845 and was 78 years old when he became a Notary Public in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. His son was Calvin Coolidge, born in 1872. After attending the town’s one room schoolhouse, the younger Coolidge went on to the local academy where he was encouraged to go to college, the first one in his family to attend.
He eventually became involved in the Republican Party and was elected Vice President under Warren G. Harding in 1921. When Harding died in 1923, Coolidge was sworn in as the 30th President of the United States by his father – the only president to ever be sworn in by a Notary (Info Source: Informed Notaries of Maine).
WANT TO LEARN MORE IN-DEPTH NOTARY HISTORY? Please go here.