Yep, I think I'm pretty much on the same page as the ladies above. I don't know what the rules and/or guidelines are in New Jersey, but before CA eliminated the use of personal knowledge altogether, I remember reading some definition of it that included something to the affect of acquaintanceship over a period of time, and in conjunction with and/or association with others. Looking at someone's ID doesn't even come close, IMO.
As for trusting attorneys, I've met some very fine ones in my day (and I'm related to a few), but I've also run into some I wouldn't trust as far as I could throw them. I once walked away from a POA signing where an attorney was present with an elderly lady who seemed to be in reasonably good health. She lived in a somewhat upscale assisted living facility, in some very nicely furnished rooms. I thought everything was great until she started repeating herself and asking the exact same question she had asked a minute before - over and over again... She was completely out there. This guy told me he was her appointed guardian and I believe the POA was appointing him as AIF. [Might have been one of those where the bank wanted one of their own POA forms signed, but I don't recall.]
He may have been on the up and up, but I had no way of knowing and that was beside the point. This lady wouldn't have even been able to reliably tell me if she had any family. The attorney was really ticked off (and I don't think I ever got paid for that one), but I felt like I had done the right thing - and maybe dodged a bullet... I think he said he was going to get the notary in his office to take care of it. Wouldn't have surprised me if he got her to do it without personal appearance. Wasn't going to be me, though!
BTW, I've also found one instance in my career where my signer without ID knew someone I knew - who just happened to have an office within easy walking distance from where we were! I don't expect to ever have that happen again! 
|
