Weston Mobile Notary, Mobile Notary & Legal Document Assistant

Buying a home? Refinancing? Selling property? 🏡 A notary public , but more specifically, a notary signing agent plays a crucial role in ensuring real estate documents are properly executed and notarized so as to not delay the real estate transaction.   What's the difference between a Mobile Notary and  a Certified Notary Signing Agent? A Mobile Notary is a commissioned notary public who travels to clients to notarize documents, offering convenience for those who can’t visit a notary office. They can notarize a variety of documents, including powers of attorney, affidavits, and estate planning forms. A Certified Notary Signing Agent (NSA) is a specialized notary trained to handle loan and real estate documents . NSAs work with title companies, escrow officers, and lenders to ensure proper execution of mortgage paperwork. They must pass a background check and certification process to work with financial institutions. In short: All NSAs are mobile notaries, but not all mob...

Ever handed a document to a notary and wondered, “What exactly are they doing?” Notaries play a crucial role in verifying signatures and preventing fraud, but their responsibilities have limits. Let’s break it down!     What a Notary CAN Do: ✔ Verify Identity – Notaries check valid, government-issued IDs to confirm identity. ✔ Witness Signatures – They ensure the signer is present and signing voluntarily. ✔ Administer Oaths & Affirmations – Some documents require a verbal oath before signing. ✔ Certify Copies of Certain Documents – Limited to specific records (but not all). What a Notary CANNOT Do: ❌ Give Legal Advice – Notaries are not attorneys and can’t explain document contents. ❌ Fill Out Forms for You – You must complete your document before meeting the notary. ❌ Notarize Incomplete or Blank Documents – Everything must be properly filled out first. ❌ Verify the Accuracy of a Document – Notaries confirm identities, not the validity of information. Why It Ma...

California Notaries take an oath of office at the commencement of their commission that states that we will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that  we will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California , and that we take this obligation freely, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that we will faithfully discharge the duties of a Notary Public. What does it mean "to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic"? The oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic" is a solemn pledge taken by members of the U.S. military, notaries, federal employees, and elected officials. It carries deep legal and moral significance. Here's what it means: "S...

This comes up a lot!  Update your ID to your married name!  It's a problem if I can't notarize those loan docs or your living trust because your name on the documents doesn't match your ID. It's a thing!  Take care of it today!

Exciting news for Californians! The new CA DMV Wallet app has arrived, letting you carry a digital ID right on your phone. How cool is that? While I'm loving the tech and convenience, here's a friendly reminder that, at the moment, your digital ID can't be used for notarizations. So, if you need a Mobile Notary, don't forget to bring your physical ID. I'll still be here to help with all your notarization needs, flexible as always!  Got questions? The DMV has answers. Check it out here. 

When older people stop driving, no one thinks about what it might mean when they don't have valid Government issued ID. As a notary, I still need proper ID to notarize a signature. California Senior ID cards are free for people 62+! Have your elder apply for one today!  

  Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of life's most challenging experiences, and amidst the emotional turmoil, there are often practical matters that need attention. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to remove a joint tenant from a property deed after their passing, understanding the process can help alleviate some of the stress associated with this task. In this blog post, we'll explore the steps involved in removing a joint tenant after death, offering guidance to navigate this process smoothly and effectively. Understanding Joint Tenancy Before delving into the removal process, it's essential to grasp the concept of joint tenancy. In a joint tenancy arrangement, two or more individuals jointly own a property with rights of survivorship. This means that if one owner passes away, their share automatically transfers to the surviving joint tenant(s) without the need for probate. Removing a Joint Tenant After Death Obtain a Death Certificate : The first st...

In California, as in many other jurisdictions, a last will and testament serves as a crucial legal document that allows individuals to dictate how their assets and affairs will be managed after their passing. Understanding the function and importance of a will in California is essential for anyone looking to ensure their wishes are carried out effectively and legally. Let's delve into the specifics:   1. Asset Distribution: Expressing Intent : One of the primary functions of a will is to express how an individual wishes their assets to be distributed upon their death. Without a will, California's intestacy laws will determine how assets are distributed, which may not align with the deceased's preferences. Specific Bequests : A will allows the testator (the person making the will) to make specific bequests, leaving particular assets to designated beneficiaries. This can include real estate, personal property, financial accounts, and sentimental items. 2. Appo...

Recently, I attended a presentation on estate planning by a local trust attorney. Not so much for having my living trust drawn up, I already have that in place (and if you don't, you might want to look into having one done,) but to introduce myself to the attorney, learn something new, and to possibly drum up more business for myself. While I am well acquainted with living trusts and wills since notarizing trust docs is part of what I do, I learned that, as of March 2023, there is 11.9 BILLION DOLLARS worth of unclaimed property sitting in the California State Comptroller's office, the bulk of which is property that lands there when people don't have a trust or estate plan! Do you have unclaimed property siting dormant just waiting for you to claim it? Or perhaps a family member has passed away; are you sure all their assets were accounted for? One quick way to determine if you have money coming to you is to check the California State Comptroller's website and perform ...

 

The word "notary" comes from the Latin word "notarius," which means "secretary" or "scribe." Notaries have been around for thousands of years. The earliest known notary was a woman named En Hedu'anna who lived in ancient Mesopotamia around 2300 BC. Notaries are public officials who are appointed by the government to witness and certify the signing of important documents. Notaries are responsible for verifying the identity of the signers, making sure they understand the contents of the document, and ensuring that the signing is voluntary. In most states, notaries are required to keep a record of every document they notarize, including the names of the signers, the date of the signing, and the type of document. In some countries, such as France and Ital y, notaries are highly respected and have a lot of power. They can perform many of the same functions as lawyers, including drafting contracts and representing clients in court. I...

Just like it sounds, in-person-electronic-notarization or IPEN, is a notarization that is performed in person, but instead of an ink stamp, the notary uses her tablet or laptop to access her electronic stamp. The electronic stamp with the notary's required stamp information is provided by a provider authorized by the Secretary of State, and an authorized secure online platform is utilized to complete the notarization. In most cases IPEN is used during a loan signing transaction, and the majority of the non-notarized real estate documents are electronically signed, sometimes before the notary signing agent arrives. This process streamlines the signing, cuts down on the amount of paper used, and less time is needed to complete the signing. The signer must still appear before the notary and proper government issued identification is still required to be presented to the notary. The in-person-electronic-notarization is recorded in the notary journal just like an inked notarization. If ...

When you receive stellar service, it's natural to want to reward the person providing such service. However, with regards to a notary public, its good to keep in mind that notaries are public servants. Therefore, California notaries are not allowed to accept tips. This includes non-monetary perks such as movie tickets, or gift cards. Additional compensation outside of the legal limit of the cost of a notarization could easily be misconstrued as a bribe or an attempt to elicit favors. That may not be your intent at all, but it does call into question a notary's impartiality if she were to accept such a perk. It's best to avoid any misunderstanding and refrain from monetary tipping in any form. If you want to reward your preferred mobile notary public, use her services often, and refer her to your friends and family. Write a glowing review for him on social media, Google , or Yelp . Helping your notary grow her business is simply the best form of gratuity there is.

Like most people, I'm exploring different strategies that will allow me a comfortable retirement. As we all know, retirement requires money!  One of the options at my disposal is a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) or commonly know as a reverse mortgage. It is a home loan only for homeowners who are 62 and older. With a reverse mortgage loan, monthly mortgage payments are eliminated. Interest and fees are added to the loan balance each month and the balance grows. The loan is repaid when the borrower passes away or no longer lives in the home.  Reverse mortgage borrowers must pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, keep the property in good condition, and use it as their primary residence. As a notary signing agent, I've sat at the signing table with many a borrower guiding them through their reverse loan documents. These borrowers who utilize this type of loan product were able achieve their financial freedom while not having to move out of their house. In one instan...

It's true. If you're familiar with real estate loans, you've probably seen a section on the loan estimate disclosure form, also known as Good Faith Estimate , that says "Services you can shop for".   These services, as pictured at right, are Pest Inspection Survey Insurance binder Lender's title policy Settlement Agent Fee (AKA escrow or title) Title search While a notary signing agent is not specifically listed, you can ask your escrow officer (or your real estate agent) to use your trusted notary signing agent. It should be noted that not just any notary will do; she should be a certified notary signing agent. (See my blog post on NSAs.)    Why would you want to choose your own notary signing agent? The notary signing agent's job, while a small step in a long process in the acquisition of real estate, is important nonetheless. A misstep at the end of the process can derail the whole transaction. Personalized service with a seasoned NSA can make all the d...

  All notary signing agents (aka NSA, loan signing agents, or signing agents) are notaries, but not all notaries are signing agents. So, what's the difference and why should you care? A notary signing agent has additional training and certification to handle real estate documents: purchase, sales, refinance, HELOC etc. They also carry higher E&O insurance policies. In essence, NSAs perform two functions: The certified NSA guides the signer through the real estate document package making sure all the required forms are correctly signed and dated, boxes are checked, and is tasked to make sure the signing process goes as smoothly as possible. After docs are signed and double checked for errors, the NSA gets the documents back to escrow as quickly as possible. The NSA also is performing her notarial duties by verifying that the signer is indeed who they present themselves to be, and to notarize and document in her journal all the required documents within a real estate package....

  As a notary signing agent, I come across the many elements that bring a successful real estate transaction to fruition. An often underestimated, important element in the long line of steps that occur when a real estate transaction is initiated, whether its a purchase or refinance, is title insurance. According to the California Department of Insurance :  "Title insurance is a contractual obligation that protects against losses that occur when title to a property is not free and clear of defects (e.g. liens, encumbrances and defects that were unknown when the title policy was issued).  Title insurance also guarantees loan priority. The terms of the policy define what risks are covered and what risks are excluded from coverage. The title insurer will reimburse you or your lender for losses that are covered, up to the face amount of the policy, and any related legal expenses. This protection is effective as of the issue date of the policy and covers defects arising...

Often, I am asked what my fees are to notarize a document. Per California notary law, the maximum a  notary can charge per notarized signature is $15, as of this writing. Note that I said per notarized signature, not per document. This means that if three signatures must be notarized for a single document, the notarization fee is $45, plus any travel fee that may be incurred. Travel fees vary from notary to notary, and they are not regulated by the state of California. Notaries are required to disclose the travel fee prior to the appointment. My travel fee is $2.50 per mile round trip from 90807 with a $25 minimum. If the appointment is at the height of traffic, notaries often charge an additional fee. More time spent traveling is a premium.  Parking fees, in the instance of meeting a signer at a hospital, are in addition to the notarization fee, and travel fee.  Mobile notaries provide a much needed service by traveling to a signer when they may not be capable to travel ...

  A California notary must have a valid government issued ID in order to perform a notarization. Government issued ID is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a form of identification issued by a government entity. The most common forms are US state issued driver’s license, a state ID card , and a US passport. O ther forms of acceptable identification are: Military ID Canadian, and Mexican driver’s license Foreign passport I nmate ID card Acceptable ID for a California notary must be valid, meaning it must not be expired. The ID must have a photo of the individual, a physical description, signature, issue and expiration dates, and government issued identifying number. Social security cards are not acceptable. Y our ID must be physically present. Photocopies, or digital images are not acceptable. A California notary will refuse to notarize if you present her with such. Question : What if I’ve lost your driver’s license and have no other form of...

  One does not think about notaries often, much less a mobile notary, until you need one. Then there’s a mad scramble to find one, anyone, to get the job done. In most cases a trip to a mailbox store will most likely get the job done and is not a bad choice if you have single, simple document you need notarized. There are times, however, when traveling to a notary is not convenient or even doable. Perhaps you’re housebound, or the signer has mobility and/or health issues. Maybe the signer is in the hospital, a nursing facility, or rehab. It may be a case of not being able to leave work, or you have strange work hours that preclude you from visiting a notary public during regular business hours. Or maybe, you just like the convenience of a mobile notary coming to you. In these instances, a mobile notary is essential for getting the notarizations you need. Choosing the right mobile notary is important for the following reasons: A traveling notary who regularly makes hosp...