Posted by MarcyLA on 12/19/08 1:40pm
Msg #272424

Louisiana notaries

Are there any LA notaries in this forum? I've been reading the notary talk for several months now, but this is my first post....(so far I haven't seen anyone from LA.)

I've worked at local title companies since 1997, but have been a full time signing agent for just under a year. Since LA law is a little different, I'd love to meet other notaries and pick their brains on how they handle certain issues (ex. missing paraphs on notes, mortgages not getting recorded timely, etc)

Thanks!

Reply by nolanotary on 12/19/08 1:55pm
Msg #272427

I'm in LA - Jefferson Parish

Reply by Lee/AR on 12/19/08 2:27pm
Msg #272434

Not a Louisiana notary...

but I don't think that "missing paraphs on notes, mortgages not getting recorded timely, etc" are part of a Signing Agent's job anywhere. Perhaps a LA notary will chime in here.

Reply by MarcyLA on 12/19/08 3:41pm
Msg #272443

Re: Not a Louisiana notary...

Actually, in LA the notary is charged with recording unless signed off on by all parties including lender... I have a disclosure for borrower to sign, but it's not always possible to get a lender to sign off. We have 15 days to record or $200 fee plus damages, if any. Some of these mtgs are being filed up to 4 months later! I don't complete a file until recording is verified. Problem is... What if a judgment gets filed during that time?

Reply by nolanotary on 12/19/08 3:48pm
Msg #272445

Re: Not a Louisiana notary...

I have recorded mortgages before, but not as part of a signing agent assignment. In fact, according to the civil code, the notary is responsible for insuring that the mortgage is recorded timely (some parishes require 15 days from execution, Orleans parish requires documents to be recorded within 1 day). The exception is where the mortgagor or mortgagee requests that the Notary not record the documents. I keep the order from the title company as proof of a legitimate request NOT to record since they instruct me to immediately return the docs overnight. I believe the OP was referring to other duties that Louisiana notaries perform....civil law notaries handle all types of legal matters in this state & Real Estate transactions are just a fraction of the workload.

Reply by JanetLA on 12/19/08 4:52pm
Msg #272460

Louisiana notaries are very different and

I read more than I post but I have learned very valuable signing agent info here. I am in Baton Rouge and service eight parishes. Having such different rules and responsibilities I don't get involved in the usual conversations except to occassionally say that in Louisiana that is not the case. Here we may be responsible for the preparation of the docs, as we can and do prepare any instrument in writing, such as wills, trusts, mortgages, notarial emancipations, acknowledgment of paternity, and many more. So, I am guessing that Marcy wants to discuss those things that may be specific to us. Marcy: try your local chapter of the LNA. I met several New Orleans notaries at the last convention. Have a good end of the month to all

Reply by MarcyLA on 12/19/08 7:32pm
Msg #272476

Re: Louisiana notaries are very different and

Thank you, Janet...I also attended the convention this year to gain the LNA's CSA certification, but I found that most of the attendees were new to the signing agent concept. I've been closing loans since 1999 and I was hoping in this forum to talk to seasoned LA notaries who are signing agents....especially because all (well, most) docs are coming from out of state and aren't always quite right according to LA standards. I was hoping to find a core group of "go-to notaries" who could help me when in a pinch and not sure when to press issues with national companies...like the Ne Varietur language missing on a note. Do you press the issue?

These questions/concerns are quite fresh in my brain because I just took the test to have statewide jurisdiction (I'm St. Tammany now) and the class I was in was an eye opener for what can go wrong at any given time. FYI...I feel pretty good about the test-cross your fingers for me!

Reply by Susan Fischer on 12/20/08 8:07pm
Msg #272532

Marcy, we've all heard about the rigors of LA exams, and

I'm sure there are scads and scads of crossed fingers out here for your success.

Janet's contributions, I'm sure all would agree, are invaluable, especially when it comes to Louisana questions and issues.

All the best, and Merry Everything.