Posted by LKT/CA on 9/2/12 4:54pm
Msg #432861

GNW - Notarized with lightening speed

Yikes!! Was called to notarize an advanced health care directive for a lady's elderly father at their home. At the point of filling in the acknowledgment, the wife walks into the room. She says, "MY name should be first on that paperwork!!" The daughter says, "WHAT ?!?! I already went over this with my dad TWICE!! He wants ME in charge of this as YOU didn't take care of <such and such>. IN FACT, YOU didn't __________________ <fill in the blank with a laundry list that the daughter claims the older lady didn't take care of>.

From the way she said that, I presume that the two women were not related, i.e. stepdaughter and stepmother. Then the two start arguing and in the mist of that the daughter turns to me and says, "Sorry about this", then goes back to arguing with the older lady about who's getting what copies, and is she going to honor the dad's wishes to have his ashes scattered over <wherever> etc. Poor elderly man still in his jammies and on oxygen just looked at me as if to say "Welcome to my world!"

I notarized at top speed, collected my fee and ran for the hills. Don't you just LOVE being a Notary? LOL!!!

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 9/2/12 5:24pm
Msg #432863

When I get into an uncomfortable situation like this, I just pretend like I'm deaf so they don't try to involve me. They probably think I'm either stupid or just rude, but I am not getting involved in domestic disputes, LOL. When people try to explain the reason they need this POA or that document, I just tell them, the less I know, the better. PLEASE don't explain it to me. I just want to witness your signature and get out of here.

Reply by Priscilla Witman on 9/2/12 5:28pm
Msg #432864

I should say, I only ask that they don't explain it all to me, it's better to remain impartial.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/2/12 5:57pm
Msg #432866

@LKT & Priscilla - LOL n/m

Reply by JamesLee/VA on 9/3/12 9:59am
Msg #432899

I would have collected my fee First!! n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 9/3/12 2:29pm
Msg #432933

Re: I would have collected my fee First!!

The arguing didn't start until the middle of the appt, as I was filling in the acknowledgment.

Reply by A S Johnson on 9/4/12 9:27am
Msg #432982

Re: I would have collected my fee First!!

I don't understand, at point another person enters where I doing a signing, I'm going to introudce myself and ask the now 3rd person who they are, name and association with the other people in the room.
In this case if it were a father, blood daughter and stepwife, I'm leaving, NO Notarization of any documents. This is the time for lawyers and courts. I can NOT make judgements of who has what right.
I have been involved in muct the same case. Father, second wife, childern and grand childern by 1st now deseased 1st wife. Messey. Messey. Everyone loss. Only the attornies made money.

Reply by SharonMN on 9/4/12 12:12pm
Msg #433024

Re: I would have collected my fee First!!

AS Johnson: It's not a matter of making judgements on who has what right. Assuming the elderly guy appeared competent to sign, I would have asked everyone else to leave the room, asked him if he was sure this was what he wanted to do (not being coerced), and notarized if so. The fact that other people don't agree with this man's decision to enter into a POA doesn't affect his right to do so.