Washington signing guide
A plan isn't a plan unless it's signed the right way. This guide explains how to sign your Will, Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Directive in Washington. Each state and document has its own rules. We did our best to keep it simple.
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Before you sign
These are the state's signing rules. Some documents give you a choice between a notary and witnesses. Dandelion may use a different set of steps, explained below.
| Document | Witnesses | Notary |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Two needed. | Not required for the Will itself. |
| Financial Power of Attorney | None needed if you use a notary. Otherwise, two. | Not required if you use two witnesses. |
| Healthcare Directive | None needed if you use a notary. Otherwise, two for each part. | Not required if you use two witnesses for each part. |
Will
What this document does
Your Will says who you want to get your money and belongings after you die, and who should carry out your wishes. You can also name the person you want to care for your children under 18. Naming them records your choice; it does not make the final decision for a court.
Signing rules in Washington
- Do I need a notary?
- Not required for the Will itself.
- How many witnesses
- Two needed.
- Who can be a witness
- Choose people who understand what they are signing and sign at your request. A gift to someone who also signs as a witness may be challenged or limited. Dandelion uses witnesses who will not get a gift in your Will.
- Witness statement
- Your witnesses sign a sworn statement before a notary. A statement that is not sworn does not meet this rule.
- Other rules to know
- Filing a Will in King County's probate court? You must provide the original paper documents.
How you sign with Dandelion
Use two witnesses who will not get a gift in your Will. They also sign a sworn witness statement before a notary when you sign.
What happens in Washington without a Will?
Washington's rules decide who gets the money and belongings covered by those rules. The result depends on your family, such as whether you have a spouse, children, parents, or siblings. It may not match your wishes. A friend or partner is not automatically included just because you choose them; some partners have rights under Washington's family rules.
Read the state law
Financial Power of Attorney
What this document does
This document names someone you trust to handle money matters for you. You choose what they can do, such as pay bills or manage an account.
Signing rules in Washington
- Do I need a notary?
- Not required if you use two witnesses.
- How many witnesses
- None needed if you use a notary. Otherwise, two.
- Who can be a witness
- If you use witnesses, do not choose your home-care provider. Do not choose a care provider at the home or care facility where you live. Witnesses cannot be related to you or to your chosen person by blood, marriage, or a domestic partnership.
- Signing in person or online
- You can sign a digital document. A Washington notary can help over video. Witnesses can also join over video.
- Other rules to know
- A notary helps show that the signature is yours. This also helps banks and other places trust the document.
How you sign with Dandelion
Use a notary. You do not need witnesses.
What happens in Washington without a Power of Attorney?
If you cannot manage your money, your family may have to ask a court to choose someone to help. Going to court can take more time and cost more than naming someone in a document ahead of time.
Read the state law
Healthcare Directive
What this document does
This document records your medical care wishes. It also names someone to make health care decisions if you cannot make them yourself.
Signing rules in Washington
- Do I need a notary?
- Not required if you use two witnesses for each part.
- How many witnesses
- None needed if you use a notary. Otherwise, two for each part.
- Who can be a witness
- For the part that names your person, follow the witness rules for the money document above. For the part about your care wishes, do not choose relatives by blood or marriage. Do not choose someone who can inherit from you or has a claim for payment from your property after you die. Do not choose your treating doctor, that doctor's worker, or a worker at the place treating you.
- Signing in person or online
- You can sign a digital document. You can use a notary or witnesses over video. Follow the same rules as the money document above.
- Other rules to know
- This part lists your care wishes. It applies after doctors find that your condition will cause your death. It also applies if two doctors find you are permanently unconscious and will not wake up. It goes in your medical record. The part naming your decision-maker has different rules about when it starts.
How you sign with Dandelion
Use a notary. One check of your signature covers both parts of the document. One part names your health care decision-maker. The other part lists your care wishes.
What happens in Washington without a Healthcare Directive?
If you cannot make your own health care choices, someone may need to help. If you have not named that person, Washington's rules and your care team guide who is asked. That may not be the person you would choose.
Read the state law
What happens in court after someone dies?
Probate is a court process after someone dies. It can include checking their Will, paying debts, and passing their money and belongings to the right people. Having a Will does not automatically let your family skip this process.
The steps depend on what the person owned and Washington's rules. The court's website explains the forms and steps your family may need.
Common Questions
Questions and words to know
Can my Washington Will witnesses join over video?
This signing option still needs legal confirmation for Dandelion's Washington Will. Do not assume you can sign a Will fully online. Follow the instructions supplied with your document or ask a Washington lawyer.
Can I write my Washington Will by hand?
Writing it by hand does not remove the need for witnesses. A valid Washington Will still needs two witnesses.
Can someone who gets a gift in my Will also be a witness?
They can, but it can put their gift at risk. Special rules apply, and the result depends on the facts. Dandelion uses witnesses who will not get gifts in your Will. Ask a Washington lawyer before choosing someone who will.
Do I need a notary for a Washington Power of Attorney?
Not required if you use two witnesses. Dandelion uses a notary.
When do my written health care wishes apply?
The care-wishes part applies after doctors find that your condition will cause your death. It also applies if two doctors find you are permanently unconscious and will not wake up. This is separate from the part that names someone to make health care choices.
What is a notary?
A notary is a person authorized by a state to check identity and witness or confirm a signature. They can also take sworn statements. This matters because this helps show that the signature or statement is genuine. A notary does not replace witnesses unless the rules for that document allow it.
What does a witness do?
A witness is someone who can confirm what happened when you signed. They may also have to sign the document. This matters because each state has rules about how many witnesses you need and who can be one.
What is probate?
Probate is a court process after someone dies. It can involve checking a Will, paying debts, and passing property to the right people. This matters because having a Will does not automatically let your family skip this process.
Related Reading
- What Is a Will?
How a Will records your wishes and who carries them out.
- Living Will vs. Medical Power of Attorney
Understand the different parts of health care planning.
- Documents and Coverage
See which documents Dandelion offers and where they are available.
- All State Requirements
Choose another state and see what is available.
Dandelion helps your family plan who will make decisions, who can care for your children, and what happens to your money and belongings. Keep legal documents, everyday instructions, and family memories together in one plan you can share.
Start my planDandelion is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. State laws vary. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified estate planning professional.