Posted by Michelle/AL on 7/23/10 9:37pm
Msg #346138
Split Signing
I had my first split signing today this year. Husband was out of state. I signed the wife here in AL. The package arrived from the out-of-state notary this morning in plenty of time for my appointment. While signing the wife I had a chance to observe the work of the other notary. I noticed that some things were omitted or just done incorrectly. Specifically, notary certificates not completed fully and she completed the loose certificates that were intended for me. So in essence she completed two notary certificates for each of the husband's signatures.
The more errors I observed the more self-righteous I became. I said nothing to the wife but made a mental note to include a cover letter to the title company pointing out the mistakes.
Well....on the way to drop the loan documents something told me to double check my own work. When I arrived at UPS and went through the docs again I noticed that I had completed lose acknowledgements for everything, when in fact several of the notarizations required jurats. Wow! I had time to prepare new certificates and drop the docs.
I think this is a classic example of "the pot calling the kettle black". I was so focused on someone else's mistakes that overlooked my own. Instead of me "telling on" the out-of-state notary, I'll leave it up to the title company to decide what's right and what's wrong. Besides, I have no idea what notaries in such&such state are required to do.
It wasn't long ago when I had to complete my first split signing (and now that I think about it maybe "split" isn't the best description). I was confused as heck. Fortunately for me, my mentor (and now very good friend) was just a phone call away so that I could get my questions answered. But woe be unto me to get all high-and-mighty over this. If I just make sure I do a great job on my end, that will be good enough. In the words of one of my younger cousins, "Michelle, just DO YOU ok?"
Just wanted to share a humbling EOM experience.
| Reply by LMS on 7/23/10 10:49pm
Msg #346144
Thanks for sharing your story, Michelle. The "moral of your story" is something we should all remember.
| Reply by Susan Fischer on 7/23/10 11:15pm
Msg #346145
What a great post. I can so relate, and thank you for
a perfect reminder to mind our own work.
Have a great weekend.
| Reply by Alz on 7/24/10 3:39pm
Msg #346185
Amen.... n/m
| Reply by MichiganAl on 7/24/10 4:45pm
Msg #346189
Split signings can be a challenge if you've never done them before. And there's no handbook for it. If I'm the first of the split, I make sure everything is lined up for the next notary. I'll put in loose acknowledgments or jurats where needed if they're not there (but ONLY if the other signing is in Michigan as well since I don't know what's acceptable in other states), I'll leave a few sticky notes, I'll make sure everything is clean and in order. When I'm the second notary, I too have gotten annoyed when I see what I think is sloppy, incomplete, or incorrect work from the prior notary. But just like you, I've learned to mind my own business and let the t.c. decide what is acceptable to them.
Thanks for sharing this, Michelle.
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