As a notary, I think it is part of my job to make sure the people undersand the notarized docs they are signing and that they are not signing under duress. I know we can't give opinions or advice, but we CAN make them read the important part of the docs. I make sure they always read QC, GD, and Interspousals before they sign. Usually, it is all part of the plan and they are fine with it.
But one time there was a man and a woman, not married, and he had the income, but he had the house, and they had a GD where she GIVES hime the house and she no longer owns it. They did not discuss it with her or anything. It was a complete surprise. You can believe that signing came to a grinding halt.
Another time I signed a woman, and she told me this story: Her husband was having an affair and was planning to divorce her. When it came time to do the taxes, he had his friend the tax guy come over to get all the taxes signed. He had a QC sneaked in there and she signed it and it was notarized (they had the notary there too, so it was a complete set-up). She had no idea that she QC'd her house to her husband while signing her taxes. Then he filed for divorce and she said she got half of the house and his attorney said, "No you don't" and showed her the QC.
In my eyes, the notary is there to prevent stuff like this. |
