What Are The Requirements To Become A Notary Public?

By Kurt Gross

A Notary Public is considered a public official. Their powers and duties are defined by State statute. A Notary Public, aka "Notary", has the power, according to the State of Tennessee, to "administer oaths, take depositions, qualify parties to bills in chancery, and take affidavits".

A Notary can take acknowledgments and certify the probate or acknowledgment of instruments but a Notary Public is NOT allowed to create documents. It's my understanding that this would be practicing law without a license.

When you see statements like "A Notary is authorized to do formal protests of negotiable instruments", you need to read that like this - Notarys cannot create documents or add words to them. That's the job of an attorney.

Having been a Notary Public and Certified Mobile Signing Agent for over 7 years, I feel the best layman's definition of a "Notary" is someone who verifies a person(s) identity and witnesses (or acknowledges) the signature of a document.

The first step toward becoming a Notary Public is for you to go to your local county clerks office in the county where you legally reside and pick up an application form. In most counties, you have the option to go online to obtain an application. You can search online for a term such as 'your county' and the term 'notary public' to find more details.

The cost is $19 and the period of your commission is four years. You must be at least 18 years old and be a legal US citizen. You must also reside in the county where you are commissioned, have no criminal record, not be a member of the Armed Forces or a legislator of the State or Nation and you cannot owe any government agency any money.

That may sound like a lot, but it's basic stuff for the average, lawabiding U.S. Citizen. Contact your local county clerk for more specific details.

I hope this helps. My main point is to let you know that it's normally a one hour task of work to apply for and receive your Notary Public Commission.

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Construction Contract Disputes

By Greer Nathkin

Modifying or building a home can be an exciting process. Choosing materials and then watching your creation come to life can be especially rewarding. However, unfortunately, disputes with contractors are fairly common and can result in work not being completed on time or at all. At times like these, you need the help of an attorney who is knowledgeable in construction laws.

Your rights as a homeowner
Before hiring a contractor you should take a moment to review your rights. Additionally, to avoid having your rights violated at any time, you should research contractors before hiring. Avoid hiring inexperienced individuals or anyone who does not appear to be credible. Instead, find a contractor who has a good reputation.

Below are some of your rights as a homeowner:

* Warranty: Under South Carolina laws, new houses are usually covered by a builder warranty for at least one year. This is designed to protect the homeowner from any problems with construction or materials. Builders are required to fix any problems covered under this warranty. Be aware however, that there are several different types of warranties including full warranties, limited liability general warranties, and highly limited warranties.
* Statute of limitations: According to South Carolina construction laws that cover Charleston, in addition to any warranty, you may also take legal action if a defect is discovered. The statute of limitations for filing a claim is two to three years from the moment you realize there has been a manufacturing or building defect.

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Three Ways to Find Out Class Action Lawsuits

By Art Joe

Wondering if there is any pending class action lawsuits filed against a company? Perhaps you are a consumer or an investor who wants to join a class suit because you are part of an aggrieved party. Finding a class action lawsuit is easy if you know where to conduct your search.

Class Notices
Aside from mail, the court also releases lawsuit notices through television, radio, newspapers, and magazines.

Class Action Lawsuit Lawyer
Are you qualified as a class member but have not received a class notice? You can call up the specified lawsuit lawyer and request that your name be included in the class registry. Once you are registered, you will receive future notices such as those about joining for recovery in the case and notice of settlement.

Internet

There are websites that offer lists of CA suits. They can help you search any information relevant to the class suit or company you are looking for. Some sites will ask you to type in the name of the company to generate search results though so make sure you have all important information readily available.

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Qualities You Must Look For in a Class Action Lawsuit Lawyer

By Art Joe

Are you planning to file a class action lawsuit? Before you go to the court, you need to first find a qualified class action lawyer. This legal expert can help you determine whether filing an individual or class action lawsuit is suitable or not for your circumstance. The lawyer will also tell you the necessary actions for filing your case.

Since the lawsuit attorney is the key person in the entire process, it is wise to look for someone who can handle the job well. The three important criteria you can use when looking for a lawyer are great track record, broad experience, and adequate resources.

To determine a lawyer's track record, look at the kinds of settlements he or she has arranged as well as the number of successfully resolved class action cases. A lawyer with an impressive track record has recovered millions in damages for the group of complainants that he or she represented in the court.

Equally important is the attorney's experience in handling CA lawsuits. You need to choose a lawyer whose expertise falls within the aspect of law that is relevant to your case. For example, an attorney who is competent in human rights may not be the right one if you are seeking justice for injury due to defective products.

You are more likely to win your case if your lawyer has enough resources for researching and handling the case. See if the law firm has the financial resources; that way, you will know if its lawyer can pursue your case as needed.

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