that was zigner's weak effort to confuse the issue, instead of dealing with the facts of the issue.
No, it was one way of demonstrating that you don't know what you're talking about. You said a notary is a state employee.
basically a notarized signature is one in which a state employee has verified that the signer is who he says he is, and he is of able mind, etc
You can't even admit you're wrong about
that and would rather try to side-step it by blathering on about "confusing the issue." Your ignorance about notaries
is the issue.
ask the notary point blank what his/her responsibility is towards ascertaining the testator's soundness of mind, or his capability to understand what he is doing.
I think this thread is evidence that you're not prepared to take a notary's word for it.
in order to become a notary, or licensed agent of the state, one must study a lot in order to pass the test, and then keep updated...a notarized signature carries weight that a witnessed signature does not.
This is funny. When I got my commission "studying a lot" consisted of being given a handbook, some of which we read together as a class for about an hour. Then the instructor got side-tracked and we chatted about local restaurants and, if I recall correctly, San Fransisco for another hour. Then we took a test, which we completed by looking up the answers in the handbook. Next step was finding an elected official to "testify to our character". That consisted of me walking into the Register of Deeds office next door and saying "Will you sign this, please? Thanks." You don't have to do that anymore, but when you renew your commission you
do have to take a test now. Online, at your convenience. With your handbook. And you have three months to complete it. Oh, and "keep updated" means buy a new handbook every once in a while.
I actually agree that a notarization carries more weight than a witness--on some documents. Because some documents require a notary. But some do not, and a will is one of those.
As I (and others) said before, the
only time incompetence affects our responsibility as a notary is when the testator is obviously incompetent. In that case, no responsible notary will affix his seal to that document. Otherwise, the seal implies
nothing more than confirmed identification. You can believe that, or not.
For anyone browsing this thread for information, take from it what you will. Remember: it wouldn't hurt to get your document notarized in any case, and you must absolutely do so if your document requires it. But if there is no such requirement you don't have to. If the validity of your document is ever contested it will be based on its content and other evidence,
not the lack of a seal.
TrustUSer will continue to argue that he's right. He's not. Believe us, or believe him---your choice.