Posted by Anonymous on 2/20/06 6:15pm
Msg #98464

Signing companies not paying their notaries

Hey guys....I'n a notary in CA and there is this one particular signing company named Priotority Signing Services? Well be on the look out they dont pay their notaries and I am not sure what my next step to do. I have already notified the BBB and explained my situation...Any ideas please help

Reply by Margaret_FL on 2/20/06 6:19pm
Msg #98467

Do a search, they still owe me from March of 2004

Reply by Margaret_FL on 2/20/06 6:21pm
Msg #98470

Do a search for Priority Signing (correct spelling)

Reply by Anonymous on 2/20/06 6:21pm
Msg #98471

a search on what? its based out here in CA huntington Beach are we talking about the same signing company?

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/20/06 6:23pm
Msg #98473

See the orange "search"at the top of the page

Reply by Margaret_FL on 2/20/06 6:23pm
Msg #98474

Do a search - Orange button at top of this page The actual name is Priority Signings with an "s" they are in CA

Reply by Anonymous on 2/20/06 6:26pm
Msg #98475

yes they have to totally screwed their notaries and Adam the other owner is a jerk

Reply by Elva_oh on 2/20/06 6:44pm
Msg #98479

Have you considered a demand letter with the threat of a mechanics lien on the property? I do not know CA law - but you can go to small claims without a lawyer. The letter is always my starting point with any collection - sent via fax, email and priority mail with delivery confirmation. Document everything and you will have a good case.

Reply by Beth/MD on 2/20/06 6:55pm
Msg #98480

Mechanic's lien on the property? What property? The SS or the borrower's?

Reply by Beth/MD on 2/20/06 6:59pm
Msg #98481

Re: Mechanics lien by definition is ...Elva

A statutory lien that secures payment for labor or materials supplied in improving, repairing, or maintaining real or personal property, such as a building or an automobile.

Reply by Roger_OH on 2/20/06 8:25pm
Msg #98487

Beth is right, however...

the pay dispute is between you and the company that hired you, not the borrowers. They have paid for your services thru their closing costs; it's not their fault the ss didn't disburse them. You have no issue with the borrowers, and would not be able to attach a lien to their home for your fee amount.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/20/06 7:42pm
Msg #98484

Either one is sure to get noticed. I'd go for SS 1st n/m

Reply by Stamper_WI on 2/20/06 8:29pm
Msg #98488

Re: Either one is sure to get noticed. I'd go for SS 1st

I don't think you can do a mechanics lein for your services. You are not maintaining or improving the property. Small claims, docketed, would put a lein on a property but as far as the borrower is concerned, they have paid for notorial services. So you would have to go after the SS. They are the ones that incurred the debt. If its a LLC or Corp, you cannot attach it to personal assets of the owner,. Only the assets of the business and if the business does not own assets such as real estate, and go under or out of business, you are out of luck. This is may be why you see the same people popping up under a different ss moniker. All their old debts disappeared with the old company.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/20/06 10:19pm
Msg #98495

I don't know how it is in Wisconsir but in California you

record a mechanics lien and then you have to foreclose on it in court. Recording the lien is no big deal but you may not be able to do anything with it. Also in California if you locate the defendants property you can file a lis pendens which has a similar effect but again you have to litigate to perfect it. Either way I am sure you will get a response from the debtor/defendant especially since most debtors file a request for notification of anything recorded against a property hypothecated as security. I didn't say it was a perfect solution, all I said was that it would probably get someones attention. If you know where their offices are you can go the office and state that you are there to take and equivalent value in something they own. It will be certain to get someones attention. Largely that is all you really want. If you are dealing with a true stiff nothing will help. I am trying to collect a couple of outstanding contracts for long term leases and I have judgements against the defendant but if the defendant has no assets and no employment they are effectively suit proof. Also depending on how the defendant operates their business the corporate veil can be penetrated, its all a matter of how much its worth to you. I have a collection agency who actually will go and find sources of income and stand there and take a part of it. My friend owns the agency and he was telling me about collecting from a pole dancer, he would go to her place of employment and actually take her money. You can also get an order to sweep accounts as well as tills. But it all boils down to how much are you willing to pay for the effort.

Reply by Beth/MD on 2/21/06 6:59am
Msg #98518

Re: Charles is right for most states and

he's also right about the amount of effort you're willing to put forth in the collection effort. Also, Roger's right, I should have expanded the reply. The main point is, notaries are screwed because while many others have a place to attach a lien or suit, notaries are left with a muddy lane of recourse. We're left being owed a smaller amount than say a realtor or a lender, so our cost to collect takes a bigger chunk of the debt. This means many of us just say screw it and forget it. Sad but true.