October Is Estate Planning Awareness Month. How Notaries Can Lead the Conversation

Become a Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agent during Estate Planning Awareness Month

Why Estate Planning Awareness Month Matters

October is Estate Planning Awareness Month, a time set aside to educate the public on why estate planning is essential for every household, not just the wealthy. According to the American Bar Association, over half of Americans don’t have a will or estate plan in place, leaving families vulnerable to confusion, disputes, and financial loss.

This is where notaries, and especially Certified Notary Trust Delivery Agents (CNTDAs), play a crucial role. By helping attorneys, fiduciaries, and families properly execute estate planning documents, you’re not only providing a valuable service but also becoming a trusted resource in your community. And October gives you the perfect reason to talk about it.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Notaries

Here’s a roadmap for using October to educate your community, market your services, and grow your estate planning expertise.

Step 1: Educate Yourself First

Review estate planning basics: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives.
If you’re a CNTDA, highlight your certification showing that you’re trained specifically to deliver estate planning documents with confidence and accuracy.
Collect a few credible statistics you can share (ABA, AARP, NAEPC). Example: “67% of Americans don’t have an estate plan” (AARP).

Step 2: Plan Your Social Media Content

Break October into four themed weeks so you’re not scrambling for content. 👉 Tip: Pre-schedule posts in Canva or Meta Business Suite so you stay consistent all month.

Week 1: What is Estate Planning Awareness Month?
Week 2: Why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy.
Week 3: The Great Wealth Transfer ($84+ trillion expected to change hands by 2045, according to Cerulli Associates).
Week 4: How a notary/CNTDA supports families and attorneys in the process.

Step 3: Use Ready-to-Post Educational Awareness Pieces

Here’s a sample public-facing post you can copy, paste, and share:

October is Estate Planning Awareness Month. Did you know that more than half of Americans don’t have a will or trust in place? Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, it’s about protecting your loved ones, avoiding unnecessary stress, and ensuring your wishes are honored. As a notary, I’m here to help families and professionals properly execute these important documents. If you’d like resources to get started, message me. I can connect you with tools and trusted professionals.

✅ Protect your family.

✅ Ease the burden on loved ones.

✅ Take the first step this October.

Step 4: Share Stories and Case Studies

Without violating confidentiality, share general stories like:

“A client was relieved when their trust was properly executed, knowing their children wouldn’t face probate battles.”
“I’ve seen families who avoided hardship because they had power of attorney documents in place.”

Step 5: Collaborate With Referral Partners

Team up with estate planning attorneys to cross-promote content.
Offer to give a short community presentation (libraries, chambers of commerce, senior centers).
Share your CNTDA certification badge to build authority.

Step 6: Call-to-Action for Your Business Growth

Add a line in every post: “Need a trusted professional to notarize and deliver estate planning documents? Ask me about my CNTDA certification.”
Encourage community members to DM or comment for resources.
Collect emails from those interested in estate planning info, then nurture them with newsletters or invites to webinars.

Educational Awareness Piece (Ready for Notaries to Share)

Here’s a clean plug-and-play awareness article you can post directly to your blog, LinkedIn, or Facebook page for the public:

October Is Estate Planning Awareness Month. Here’s Why It Matters for Your Family

Did you know that more than 50% of Americans don’t have an estate plan? (Source: AARP)

Estate planning isn’t about how much money you have, it’s about making sure:

Your loved ones are protected.
Your medical and financial wishes are honored.
Your family avoids unnecessary stress, conflict, and court costs.

Experts call this moment in history the Great Wealth Transfer; an estimated $84 trillion will pass from older generations to heirs by 2045 (Cerulli Associates). Without a plan, much of that wealth could be lost to taxes, fees, or disputes.

The good news? Estate planning is easier than you think. It often begins with simple documents like wills, powers of attorney, or a living trust. And notaries like me play an important role in making sure these documents are properly signed and executed.

This October, take one small step:

✅ Start a conversation with your loved ones.

✅ Connect with an estate planning attorney.

✅ Schedule time to get your documents in place.

Your family’s future will thank you.