A Notary Public is an official of integrity who is typically appointed by the secretary of state to serve the public as an impartial witness in performing a variety of fraud deterrent acts related to signing of important documents. Notaries are publicly known as “ministerial” officials, meaning that they are expected to abide by written rules without the use of significant personal discretion.
Duty of Notary Public A Notary’s duty is to vet the signers of important documents. Such documents include property deeds, wills, and powers of attorney. The key things that Notaries screen for is making sure that the singer’s identity is true, that the singers are signing documents willingly and not under duress or intimidation, and that the signer is aware of the contents of the document or transaction. Additionally, some notarizations require the Notary to put the singer under an oath, declaring under penalty of perjury that the information in a document is true or correct. Above all else impartiality is the foundation of the Notary’s public trust, as would otherwise be the case with a judicial official. They are duty bond to refrain from acting in situations where they have a personal interest. The public trusts that the Notary’s screening process has not been tainted by self-interest. Furthermore, impartiality dictates that a Notary never refuse to serve a person due to race, nationality, religion, politics, and sexual orientation. Qualifications of Notary Public There are specific qualifications laid out by the Department of the Secretary of State to become qualified for notarial commission. An applicant must meet all of the following qualifications:
How to become a Notary Public There are eight steps involved in becoming a Notary Public in North Carolina. An individual wishing to become a Notary Public must abide by each of the following steps:
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Many people contact our office and ask what legal options do they have in the event their spouse does, or has, become abusive. Domestic violence is a serious issue that is not taken lightly in North Carolina. On the criminal side of the house, assault on a female and driving while impaired are likely the two most serious misdemeanors in North Carolina. Civilly speaking, if you are or have been in a relationship with domestic violence, you may seek protection by filing for a domestic violence protective order. If granted, you may receive immediate protection for a period of approximately 10 days without providing notice to the other party. At the end of that period of protection, you may seek that the order remain in place for a one-year period. During that time, the abuser may not come near you, contact you, nor may they contact your workplace, friends, or family. If they do, they will be arrested and prosecuted criminally. If you would like to speak to an attorney regarding domestic violence and protective orders, contact Adkins Law. Adkins Law is located in Huntersville and primarily serves Mecklenburg County and the greater Charlotte area.
Step 1. Contact your county’s Department of Social Services who provides and arranges for adoptions services at no cost for children in the foster care system. Step 2. Department of Social Services will ask about your family background and composition. You will also be asked for a description of the child you seek to adopt. You must complete an application for adoption to begin the process. Step 3. You must complete the Pre-Placement Assessment. The assessment requires you to participate in a series of meetings with the social worker who will help you understand both the adoption process and your responsibilities as an adoptive parent. You may be required special classes known as Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting-Group Preparation and Selection to prepare you to become an adoptive parent of a child from foster care. These parenting classes will provide you with important information about the skills needed to parent a child who has experienced loss and trauma. They will also help you determine your ability to provide a home for such a child. Step 4. Once your Pre-Placement Assessment is completed, your social worker will work with you to locate a child or sibling group whose needs can be met in your family. This may take some time so it is important to be patient during this time. Step 5. Once the child has been identified, a visitation plan is established so the child and your family can get to know each other before a placement is made. Step 6. You bring the child home. All children, even infants, will have a period of adjustment following placement which requires must patience, tolerance, and love during that time. Step 7. The supervisory period in North Carolina generally requires the child be in your home for six months before the adoption process can be complete. The social worker will visit your home to provide support and assistance during this period of time. Step 8. Legalize your adoption in court. It is highly recommended that an attorney be retained for filing the legal documents. However, adoptive parents can chose to file their own legal documents. If you chose to hire an attorney the legal fees are arranged between the adoptive parents and the attorney. The laws relating to adopting in North Carolina can be found in Chapter 48 of the North Carolina General Statutes. *For more information visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/adopt/ Adkins Law has offices in Huntersville and Ballantyne. Contact Adkins Law to arrange a consultation. |
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