Posted by Tonya Washington on 3/27/08 9:38am
Msg #240919

Notary Respect

This is in reference to Message No. 240477. I was very disheartened at the way Eddie from CT attacked my fellow Louisiana Notary. Sorry Eddie_CT for attacking you but I thought that your post was very rude(to say the least). I thought this site was for networking and helping fellow notaries and not bashing them for being new. I'm glad that some of you got on him about bashing the new notary needing help. We've all had our first times............as Notaries. There are things that we do not know and will never know and there are things that we have become experts in. One thing that Eddie didn't do is take into account what state the Notary was from. Louisiana. We are a civil law state. We normally do not post on this site or any site because America practices common law. I will remind Eddie_CT that a Louisiana notary can do just about anything an attorney does except appear in court on a client's behalf and give legal advice. We can however point a client in the right direction if legal advice is needed. We are a very unique state. Our Notary test is right up there with the Louisiana Bar Exam.

Reply by JanetLA on 3/27/08 10:12am
Msg #240925

Louisiana Notaries are so different

that the advice given here is for everyone except us. I always get great advice from others here regarding mortgage loans, etc. However, when it comes to UPL, the folks here are on a different path than we are. We have much more ability to advise people for their situations than other states. They cannot suggest what a person should do without being accused of or being guilty of UPL, and I don't know of any other state that has the authority that we do. We can and do prepare wills, mortgages, trusts, corporation documents, etc. If anyone has any doubt as to the complexity of our testing, check out the sample scenario on our SOS website. When you have a question, you might consider joining the LNA as it is great for new notaries. We are very well trained in Louisiana law and sometimes just need a hand putting it into practice. Best wishes to you in your new business.

Reply by Marlene/USNA on 3/27/08 10:18am
Msg #240926

Re: Louisiana Notaries are so different

Civil Law notaries (LA) and Common Law notaries (most of the rest of us) are indeed very different. For a common law notary to post about helping a customer set up an LLC would result in the barrage of responses we all saw.

USNA recently interviewed some LA civil law notaries for an article in our electronic newsletter, Notary Review. If you would like a copy, please send your email to me: [e-mail address].

Marlene/USNA
www.enotary.org

Reply by SueW/Tn on 3/27/08 11:56am
Msg #240936

Re: Louisiana Notaries are so different

Holy cow...I followed your suggestion Janet and went to the SOS site to see the sample scenario. You must think some of the "normal" questions posed here and on other SA sites are a hoot. Believe me you folks have my ever lasting respect and admiration. How long does it take to study for such a test? You must feel a huge sense of accomplishment once you pass, I know I'd celebrate for a month or two! Thank you for sharing, very very interesting.

Reply by JanetLA on 3/27/08 1:44pm
Msg #240959

Most people don't pass the test on the first try

But they give the test twice a year and you can purchase ($100) a study guide with all the information in it. You have to have a civil code for the law portion of the test and as long as you can learn EVERY detail in that book you are ready. There are many classes here that prepare you for the exam and they take about 6 months... Very different for sure. Have a great week to all

Reply by Seyli Molina on 9/27/08 3:41pm
Msg #265589

I was reading this thread and realized that the newbie was me. Thank you so much for sticking up for me. It was overwhelming to get attacked over a question.

And for the ones wondering.....I did pass my test on the first try.

Thank you Seyli Molina