A Book Review of From Trust to Transfer and What It Reveals About the Future of Notary Work

Every notary eventually asks the same question, whether they say it out loud or not:

Is this really it?

For many, that question shows up after the excitement of loan signings wears off. For others, it appears when the work starts to feel rushed, transactional, or disconnected from the reason they became a notary in the first place.

That’s why I want to talk about a book that says something important about where this profession is heading.

I recently read From Trust to Transfer by Dean Eason-Williams, and I gave it five stars because it’s practical, honest, and grounded in real work at real signing tables.

 It’s a book about doing the work well.

A Different Kind of Notary Appointment

Estate planning appointments are not like loan signings. They move at a different pace. They carry a different emotional weight. And they demand something different from the notary in the room.

In From Trust to Transfer, Dean doesn’t romanticize this work, but he doesn’t minimize it either. He makes it clear that estate signings are not just about executing documents. They’re about presence, professionalism, and restraint.

When families sit down to sign wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, they’re not thinking about paperwork…

They’re thinking about children…

About aging parents…

About illness…

About what happens if something goes wrong.

The notary becomes part of that moment.

That’s why this book resonates. It acknowledges that estate signings require notaries to bring both competence and composure to the table.

Not “Just the Notary”

One of the most valuable threads running through the book is Dean’s refusal to accept the phrase “I’m just the notary.”

He reminds readers that notaries are commissioned public officials. When we walk into someone’s home or an attorney’s office, we represent more than ourselves. We represent process, order, and accuracy at a moment when mistakes can echo years into the future.

This matters deeply in estate planning work.

A missed initial…

An incorrectly placed seal…

A poorly handled question that crosses into unauthorized practice of law….

These aren’t small errors in this context. They can become real problems for families long after the signing is over.

Dean addresses this head-on by focusing on:

• Understanding estate documents at a high level

• Ethical redirection when signers ask legal questions

• Staying confidently within the notary’s lane without sounding evasive or unsure

The book doesn’t try to turn notaries into attorneys. Instead, it shows how knowledge and preparation allow notaries to reduce friction, not create it.

Why Attorneys Care (More Than Notaries Realize)

One of the underappreciated themes in From Trust to Transfer is how much this work impacts attorneys.

Estate planning attorneys don’t want more phone calls from the signing table. They don’t want to fix avoidable errors. And they don’t want to wonder whether the person representing them understands the gravity of the work.

Notaries who can conduct estate signing ceremonies with clarity and confidence quickly stand out.

Dean’s approach, both in the book and in his work, positions notaries as trusted extensions of the attorney, not just rubber-stamp vendors.

That distinction is the difference between:

• One-off assignments

• And long-term professional relationships

It’s also where the real opportunity lies.

The Opportunity Beneath the Book

While From Trust to Transfer is first and foremost a practical guide, it also hints at something bigger.

Estate planning appointments are not seasonal, and are not interest rate-dependent, and they don’t disappear when the market shifts.

People plan their estates every day.

Families need documents executed properly whether the economy is booming or tightening. 

That consistency creates an opportunity for notaries who are willing to specialize, slow down, and raise their standards.

This isn’t about doing more appointments. It’s about doing better ones. 

Higher trust.

Higher value.

Higher expectations.

And yes, often higher compensation.

A Quiet Standard-Setter

What I respect most about Dean’s book is that it doesn’t shout and yell, or preach a bunch of fluff. It’s actually a pretty quick read. 

It doesn’t promise instant success.

It doesn’t sell a dream.

It doesn’t pretend estate work is easy.

Instead, it sets a standard.

If you’re a notary who:

• Wants to be taken seriously

• Wants work that feels meaningful

• Wants to build a business that isn’t built on churn and burnout

This book is worth your time.

It shows you what’s possible when you approach the work with intention.

The notary profession  needs more examples of what good looks like.

From Trust to Transfer contributes to that conversation in a meaningful way, and in doing so, it points toward a future where notaries are known not just for availability, but for excellence.

That’s a future worth paying attention to.

Get your copy of From Trust to Transfer on Amazon here