Ethics Legality

[legaleagle]

Several related questions. Do deeds have to be written by a lawyer? I am my mother's executor. My mother wants to give me some property. Does the potential conflict of interest require me to hire a lawyer to write the deed in addition to having it notarized and witnessed? How many witnesses? Notarization necessary? Or can I write the deed my self as long as it is notarized and witnessed?

 

[army judge]

Several related questions. Do deeds have to be written by a lawyer? I am my mother's executor. My mother wants to give me some property. Does the potential conflict of interest require me to hire a lawyer to write the deed in addition to having it notarized and witnessed? How many witnesses? Notarization necessary? Or can I write the deed my self as long as it is notarized and witnessed?

It might one day prove troubling for you, if you do write the deed.
I don't think its illegal, but could cause you to come under scrutiny by jealous heirs.

You can retain an attorney, have mother complete the deed, have an independent, trusted party to do it, or you can assist mother in doing it by using a site like:

www.legalzoom.com

Sites like that sell the forms that one can complete online, and they even offer instructions on how to do it correctly.
In my view, their rates are reasonable, and their products are guaranteed to be accepted in the jurisdiction in which you plan to use them.