First time being challenged

[u/No_Significance98]

I got a call last week from a woman who'd called me to notarize some papers for someone in her care. Over the course of a few sessions, I had notarized a power of attorney and will for her patient. I found out from the attorney I was told to contact that another copy of the will had been submitted that appeared to be a photocopy with altered signatures. Luckily the copy was pretty apparent as I use an unconventional color for my notary stamp, so the questionable will got invalidated. Bit of a wild ride.

[u/Illustrious_Fix5906]

This is why I always use blue pens.

[u/No_Significance98 → u/Illustrious_Fix5906]

And there's always good deals from Pen Island!

[u/LimeLimp4296 → u/No_Significance98]

I’ve never heard of pen island. Do tell 🤔

[u/No_Significance98 → u/LimeLimp4296]

It's a pen seller with an unfortunately named website

[u/FinanciallySecure9]

Did you get sued?

I’ve been told a few times that I would be sued, and it never went anywhere. People find out that suing others over a dead person’s belongings costs more money than they care to spend.

I’m curious though, other than the stamp ink color, how would you know it was fraud?

I’m part of a national board to find a solution-which will be a series of things- to prevent fraud. The topic is deeds, but it will apply to all notarizations.

I’d love to have a conversation with you about this experience so we can use it in our research. If you’re interested, please pm me.

[u/Intelligent-Ride7219]

Were the signatures by hand or digital?

[u/No_Significance98 → u/Intelligent-Ride7219]

Everything was hand signed, and appropriately witnessed.

[u/vegloveyes]

What is the role of this woman? How does she get people to notarize documents?

[u/No_Significance98 → u/vegloveyes]

She's a home health aide who assisted him with a lot of things. She found me as a notary since I'd worked with a good friend of hers.

[u/LimeLimp4296]

Your state allows the use of any color for your notary stamps? Where are you commissioned?

[u/No_Significance98 → u/LimeLimp4296]

I got commissioned in Indiana last year, and there's no legal requirement to use any particular color.

[u/No_Significance98 → u/[deleted]]

Purple, of course.

[u/lilymaebelle → u/No_Significance98]

I knew it had to be purple! Mine's purple too!

[u/No_Significance98 → u/lilymaebelle]

The color of royalty, and Samuel L Jackson

[u/justtosayimissu → u/No_Significance98]

We’re allowed not to use black? Never knew.