Signing checklist for Kentucky

The signing steps in Kentucky law, step by step. Pick your documents to see them.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

This checklist lists the signing rules in Kentucky law. It does not check whether your document is valid.

Financial power of attorney: Signed by you; the law requires no notary or witnesses
Health care directive: Notarized or signed by two adult witnesses

Choose your form Statutory Form Power of Attorney, with Agent's Certification. You do not have to use it. Covers property only, not health care. Ends with a 'Signature and Acknowledgment' notary block. Official text
Law: KRS 457.420, 457.430
Sign it Signed by you, or in your conscious presence by another person you direct to sign your name. If someone else signs for you, the power of attorney must state the reason.
Law: KRS 457.050, 457.190, 457.200, 382.370
Notary or witnesses The Act requires only your signature. If you acknowledge your signature before a notary, it is presumed genuine, and banks and others must follow the acceptance rules for an 'acknowledged' power of attorney. A power of attorney used to convey real estate is recorded like a deed.
Law: KRS 457.050, 457.190, 457.200, 382.370
The agent signs too No agent signature is required. A person accepts appointment by acting as agent or by other conduct showing acceptance, unless the document says otherwise.
Law: KRS 457.050, 457.190, 457.200, 382.370
If it may be used for real estate A power of attorney to convey or release real or personal property may be acknowledged and recorded in the proper office in the same way as a conveyance; if the conveyance must be recorded, the power must be recorded too.

Choose your form Living Will Directive, in the Attorney General's Kentucky Living Will Packet. You do not have to use it. Official text
Law: KRS 311.625
Sign it Signed by you, or at your direction, and dated, in writing.
Law: KRS 311.625(2), (4)
Notary or witnesses Date and sign the Living Will Directive in front of two qualified adult witnesses, or acknowledge it before a notary public.
Law: KRS 311.625(2), (4)
Who cannot witness Either two or more adult witnesses who sign in your presence and in each other's presence, or a notary public. None of these may be a witness or the notary: a blood relative; a person who would inherit from you under Kentucky's descent and distribution law; an employee of a health care facility where you are a patient (unless serving as the notary); your attending physician; or anyone directly financially responsible for your health care.
Law: KRS 311.625(2), (4)
If you live in a nursing facility An employee of a health care facility where you are a patient may not witness (but may serve as the notary). An employee, owner, director or officer of a facility where you live or are a patient may not be your surrogate unless related to you within the fourth degree or a member of the same religious or fraternal order.
Law: KRS 311.625(2), (4)

Give copies to the right people Keep the signed documents in a safe place and give copies to your health care proxy and your doctors. Some states have registries that store an advance directive for doctors and your proxy.

This checklist lists the signing rules in Kentucky law. It does not check whether your document is valid.