Posted by Anita Posluszny on 11/20/10 7:35am
Msg #362082

Here's one.

I got a call last night at 9:00 from soneone in NJ, to notarize a power of attorney for someone in a hospital here in the Houston area. Get this. The person was going into surgery 6:00 AM and this had to be done before. Guess what I said?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 11/20/10 8:13am
Msg #362084

Sounds like someone was having a medical

emergency/crisis of the "I may not come out of this" kind and family from NJ was trying to help them get their affairs in order...

I'd have done it - as much as I don't like going out that late - a call like what you described has "emergency" written all over it.

Reply by Anita Posluszny on 11/20/10 8:42am
Msg #362091

Re: Sounds like someone was having a medical

I agree, that is must have been an emergency situation. If she had asked me to go last evening I probably would have gone, but she wanted me to go BEFORE his 6:00 AM surgery this morning. And like someone said due to the meds before surgery you don't know if he would have been in full control of his faculties. Too chancy for me.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/20/10 8:18am
Msg #362085

I bet if you asked how you were going to be paid, they would have told you the patient. Honestly, you could have taken this a little further because I do a few of these and a lot of time it is someone calling on behalf of the patient, like a relative.

The important thing was whether the person was on a drip or any kind of medication. After getting the number to the hospital, from them..I would call the nurses' station to verify that, and if the patient was aware of the request.
The Last one I did, the person was having emergency surgery and didn't want his organs harvested should his operation go south. He paid me, I called him three days later in his room and asked if he still had all his parts.

Reply by Alz on 11/20/10 9:12am
Msg #362101

These and others really tug at

one's heart strings. I had someone call me recently to notarize a POA for a relative that was in the hospital. When I walked into the room of the person, I knew right away that the illness was quite serious, as other relatives and friends were coming in to say their goodbyes. The person amazingly still had a since of humor inspite of knowing that tomorrow may not come. It is situations and events like this that help me to make every attempt to live each day to the fullest.

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/20/10 2:51pm
Msg #362166

I've had out-of-state relatives (Tennesse and Minnesota) call me to notarize for their family member at the hospital near me. I take credit cards online through Google Checkout so the out-of-state family member pays me by credit card. They have a family friend meet me at the hospital with the paperwork or they'll fax or email it to me.

I ask the usual questions about the patient's awareness and ability to sign, who has the patient's ID (the hospital may have it in their safe or the family friend brings it), are they on heavy meds, will they be awake, etc. I ask if the person is a stroke patient - very importanat regarding awareness and ability to communicate - they may not be able to speak and we'd have to communicate on paper - I write down questions and the patient points to the answer.

For one particular stroke patient who couldn't speak but could point, I made up a ten question multiple choice quiz. Something similar to the following:

What is your last name ?

a. Jones
b. Johnson
c. Jacobs

Where are you?

a. hospital
b. library
c. the mall

Why are you at the hospital ?

a. patient
b. visiting a sick friend
c. volunteering

The Notary standing before you is wearing......

a. a hat
b. eyeglasses
c. a fur coat

You live in the state of.....

a. Hawaii
b. California
c. Alaska

The paperwork you will sign is a.....

a. check
b. grocery list
c. health care directive

Who is John Jones?

a. your attorney
b. your son
c. your next door neighbor

Who is Mary Jones?

a. the nurse
b. your daughter-in-law
c. your cousin

The patient pointed to all of the correct answers.


Also, for example, ifthe person is left handed and that side is paralyzed we'd have to do the signature by mark. The patient uses the hand that works to hold and guide the hand that is paralyzed to make the X.

The most recent emergency hospital call wasn't from out-of-state but it was for a "He's having brain surgery tomorrow at 5am (call is at 6pm that evening) and we need this health care directive notarized ASAP". Patient was awake, aware, understanding why I was there, and able to sign.

Reply by LKT/CA on 11/20/10 4:18pm
Msg #362183

oops, just realized..

If I ask where the patient is, and in the next question ask why they are at the hospital, I just gave them a free answer......(LOL). Question would be "Why are you in this building"....(or something similar).

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 11/21/10 9:14pm
Msg #362307

"Also, for example, ifthe person is left handed and that side is paralyzed we'd have to do the signature by mark. The patient uses the hand that works to hold and guide the hand that is paralyzed to make the X."

I am ambidextrous, but predominately right handed. If my right arm becomes paralyzed, are you saying I can not use my left hand to sign?

Please point me to what you are basing the original statement and the answer to my question.