Trust signings: lessons learned

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  1. The trustee doesn’t always know details about the trust or have trust documents
  2. Make sure a title rep is available at time of the signing especially when title is out of state.

Allow me to explain:

I’ve had a few situations during a trust signing where we got stuck on a document because the signer did not know or have the information. In one situation the signer filled out the names of the trustees and afterwards the title company needed it to be corrected because the signer wrote the wrong names. Also, not every trustee has TRUSTEE DOCUMENTS with them or knows where they are. Always make sure that during the signing appointment there will be a knowledgeable title rep available for you to call. This gets tricky for out of state closings (PST vs. EST) :eyes: consider the time difference.

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I find questions made when documents are reviewed get answered the fastest. I would further suggest notaries are familiar before they get to an appointment. Not all title companies want the trust verbiage on a signature. Others want it to match exactly. Those things can be cleared up before we get to an appointment. JMO.

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Are you familiar with the trust certification document, or the state of California 593 that requires detailed information about the trust?

Prep is very important, BUT it does not cover everything. You never know what the signer will need help with. Could be numbers, could be trust stuff, could be a name spelled wrong that title was not aware of. Prep does not cover everything unless prep also includes having a number to call with someone ready at the other end :wink:

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I am doing a package just this morning that has the certification of trust information and the fact is we are Notaries. We’re not qualified to help anyone with their trust documents so if you get your documents in advance, it’s not hard to contact the title agent and ensure that the signer is prepared for those documents. that’s what prep is for.

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Yes, as long as the time zone difference allows you to call the title agent in time

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Keep in mind that not all trust documents involve real estate. Some trusts are financial or Estate planning transactions. As such always know your State’s Financial / Estate / Family / /Business Codes before Notarizing Trust Documents.

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@jennjoneis Concur with your ALERT as well as the implicit ‘stay in your own lane’ insight. :white_check_mark: :star_struck:

Often the section of the Trust Certification document that completely & totally stumps the majority of Trustees is how to take title to the asset . . .

:swan:

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thanks Riverpointe Tax

I was considering being a notary in another country and I was shocked to find out that in most other countries you have to be an attorney if you want to be a notary.

I guess that makes sense, though

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Yes so true thanks cNsa5

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@jennjoneis :tada: You’re Welcome! :tada:

A BIG Thanks to You for your consistent Professional input/insights! :star_struck:

:swan:

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cNsa5 Thank you so much :grinning_face: I appreciate you and your input as well :smiley:

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