Posted by Retsing on 7/14/12 8:38pm
Msg #426888

Fee for swearing in witnesses.

For years I've been doning signings re loan docs, successfully and for many companies. Today, I was contacted to swear in witnesses in an hearing in VA for several times and days this week. Hoping for feedback on what would be reasonable to ask for fees. In VA, can only ask $5 per signature but what would be fair for travel (close by - guess I can figure out that part) but what about time (might be couple of hours sitting waiting for each person for their time to speak). I rarely ask for opinion or input on this forum but truly appreciate reading the exchanges when I have time to sign in. Have a 92 year young Mother who I look over her affairs while trying to have a life and loving her too.
Appreciate hearing back from folks soon. I need to respond to the person who contacted me soon.
Thanks in advance.

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/14/12 8:59pm
Msg #426892

I'd charge $25 per half hour, or fraction thereof.

For example: The clock starts on the hour, it's 10:00am....at 10:16am...that's when the $25 fee kicks in. From 10:16 to 10:30, that's the first "half hour".

Clock keeps going...10:31am...32....33, then it hits 10:46am...second $25 fee kicks in. From 10:46am to 11:00am is the 2nd half hour. Now you're at $50. That's how I calculate my wait fee.

I doubt you'll have to provide this example, but whatever hourly rate you decide to charge, I'd suggest you add, "or fraction thereof" so they cannot say, well it's only been 29 minutes and 37 seconds and not 30 minutes so that doesn't warrant the half hour fee.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/14/12 9:16pm
Msg #426895

In VA you can charge $5 for administering the oath to the witness. If you have wait time and travel fee to factor in, that is extra. It's been quite a while since I've done one of these, but I give an itemized receipt so there is no misunderstanding on what I charged for the oath. Sometimes they go quickly but other times they don't. I had one once where my guy here in VA called in to the court on time but the other party who was appearing in the Florida court was late. They put that case in the back of the line and there was a lot of waiting time.

Reply by Retsing on 7/15/12 5:51am
Msg #426909

Thanks for responding. I'm trying to figure reasonable wait and travel fee beyond the $5 notary fee per witness. Someone (outside of this forum) suggested $50/per hour so I was trying to determine if that was too low or in the reasonable range. Good/bad experience - takes me out of the loop for other appointments while I'm waiting for witnesses while doing something different.

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/15/12 7:56am
Msg #426912

Here's how I charge a local telephonic swearing in:

$30, which includes the swearing in and up to 30 minutes wait time.
(FL allows $10 for administering the oath)
After 30 minutes, I charge $40/hr. in 15 minute increments.
I've noticed "wait time" has significantly decreased as this practice has become more common.
Usually, I am out of there in significantly less than 30 minutes.

Reply by ikando on 7/15/12 3:17pm
Msg #426947

Re: Here's how I charge a local telephonic swearing in:

I've done quite a few of these, ironically mostly for courts in Florida.

Anyway, I charge my distance fee for traveling, the statutory swearing-in fee, AND my regular hourly rate in 15 minute increments after the first 15. (I figure I've spent time while traveling, so my clock at the destination starts after what would be the normal amount of time to get my journal work done.)

The one down side is you have to have an idea the full fee you want to collect because, in my case, I get paid while we're waiting for the court to come on the line. If you're doing several people, I'd probably calculate an average for the day and divide it between the number of people.

Reply by Retsing on 7/16/12 5:53am
Msg #426996

Re: Here's how I charge a local telephonic swearing in:

Thank you for your input.
As the exchange continued, i learned more was expected. I was asked to start and stop the tape recorder as well as read/record stipulations the attorneys may have which is something I know a court reporter does. This firm is trying to save the cost of a court reporter/stenographer by using a notary.
I was happy to swear in the witnesses but wasn't comfortable with being in control of the tape recorder and recording stipulations.
I declined the opportunity so some of you in VA may be contacted.