Posted by Kathryn on 2/1/12 10:41am
Msg #410502

Help with charges for services

Hi. I've been a closing agent for years but i don't normally go to nursing homes. I have a request to go to a nursing home, meet the administrator and do a POA. They also want me to drive a couple of miles away and go into the courthouse and have them certifiy the POA and then take a copy back to the nursing home to the administrator.
My question: what do you charge for a POA?
What would I charge for any extra services such as this?

Apparently they are looking for someone to come in and do their notarizations as needed. THANKS !

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/12 10:47am
Msg #410504

You charge your state-regulated notary

fee for notarization of the POA plus a modest fee for travel and time - including any additional charge for time and travel to Courthouse and back - sounds like they want you to record the POA and get a certified copy of it. That charge is something YOU have to figure for yourself as only you know where you are, how far you have to travel, and how long it will take (not sure how your Courthouse is - ours here is usually fairly quick but parking can be a chore and may need to wait your turn - time is $$$).

Keep in mind: (1) confirm the patient has proper ID as required by your state; (2) make sure they're going to arrange for any witnesses; (3) make sure the patients are lucid! (4) make sure you're going to be paid a base fee regardless of whether you complete the notarization or not; and last but not least (5) cash payment in advance...non-negotiable.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/12 10:48am
Msg #410505

Oh..and P.S.

If they want you to record the POA they need to provide you with the funds to do that - it's not free and you don't advance the monies.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 2/1/12 10:50am
Msg #410506

Plus the fee for the certified copy...okay..I'm done..:) n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/1/12 11:02am
Msg #410508

Re: Plus the fee for the certified copy...okay..I'm done..:)

Linda, as usual, is correct on all counts. Check out the recording protocol/charge (per page) in your county, too.
I've done recordings in 2 local counties and their protocols are waaaay different. One easy; the other a total PITA.

Reply by ikando on 2/1/12 6:16pm
Msg #410569

Re: Plus the fee for the certified copy...okay..I'm done..:)

If, as is the case for me when I go to nursing homes, the family is hiring you, calculate as Linda suggested, keeping in mind the suggestion Lee made to be sure you know what's involved at the courthouse. Ask the family to give you funds for filing separately from your service charges because if they give you one check, you'll have to come up with the $$ at the courthouse.

Good luck.

Reply by Alan Murray on 2/1/12 10:39pm
Msg #410598

Re: Plus the fee for the certified copy...okay..I'm done..:)

You should also find out if the person can sign. Sometimes, the doctor will leave orders that the patient can not sign any document because of dementia. You should also find out if the person able to sign, on one trip to a nursing home, the person had slipped into a semi-comma & could not sign that day. Also, delays, the patient maybe going to the hospital or out for therapy. Many times they will only have a wrist ban ID. So be sure to tell them to bring proper ID.