Posted by Charm_AL on 6/2/07 8:03am
Msg #193332

geeze...

can I not turn away a signing I accepted for a patient if I do NOT think it's moral? This is turning my stomach guys. I know, just show up and witness, sometimes this job sucks.

Reply by Sharon Taylor on 6/2/07 8:58am
Msg #193336

Define "moral" and you might have a good reason

to refuse the task. If you feel there is physical or mental abuse to force the patient to sign, that the patient is being pressured, that the patient is not mentally competent to make a decision relative to whatever is being signed at the time of the signing, if you feel the patient is not sufficiently able to comprehend the consequences of the signing...then you have a right to refuse the signing based on your observations. To cover yourself, it would be highly advisable to tell the Patient Advocate at the facility what is happening and why you refused the signing. Hospitals, nursing homes, and the like normally have a Patient Advocate on staff. Tell the patient's doctor, nurse, someone who has no interest in the outcome of the signing and who can follow up on the matter if necessary. AND put it in writing! Type up a clear concise statement of the facts and your conclusions, including dates, times, persons you spoke to, etc., along with your specific reason(s) for refusing the signing. You may be protecting a defenseless patient, and if there is ever any question as to why you acted as you did, you can produce your written documentation, which is much more reliable than memory, especially if the question comes up some time later.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/2/07 9:06am
Msg #193338

Re: geeze...you can turn down whatever you want to

IMHO whether or not you have a moral determinant involved. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to.

Before the wet noodles start sticking to the computer screens beating at me and telling me how unprofessional that sounds and how anyone who doesn't do exactly as told will never get work I understand that turning down work can cause no more work to be offered by that company. It's a personal choice.

However, you'd be surprised at what self-employed or privately employed professionals in other professions turn down because they don't agree with it.

If *you* own the business *your* decisions run it...IMHO.

Reply by LisaWI on 6/2/07 9:24am
Msg #193340

Re: geeze...you can turn down whatever you want-Brenda

You have no idea how good it was to see this last statement regarding an issue I was faced with just this last week. (The issue has nothing to do with what Charm is explaining) Simple, to the point, and oh so true. It just made my day! Thank you for reconfirming we are business owners and have to right to run our business the way we see fit to include sound business decisions whether others might agree or not.

Reply by rengel/CA on 6/2/07 11:02am
Msg #193356

Remember, we as notaries have a duty to NOT notarize a signature if it is being made under duress, or by a signer who is impaired by drugs, alcohol, or senility.

If you feel that an elderly client is being forced to sign away their home to their child or anyone else, you have the duty to not notarize those documents.

Good luck with your dilema.