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The value of a notary in avoiding contract disputes

On Behalf of | Oct 21, 2014 | Contract Disputes

One way that a number of contract disputes in California actually start is when someone who feels they are getting the worse side of a deal say that they did not sign the agreement. Once a person states that they did not actually sign when they did, a large and expensive legal battle may ensue. However, by having a notary witness signatures to the contract, this is no longer the case.

The point of having notaries present during signing is that they not only view individuals signing a document or contract, they also verify that the person is who they say they are, usually through some form of acceptable photo indentification. Notaries are required by state law to keep a log of all signatures that they witness as well as stamping the document. The benefit of using a notary is that a number of state courts and all federal courts have decreed that a notarized signature is automatically considered authentic.

Another benefit of using a notary is that if an error is made by the notary, it is likely to be taken care of by the insurance company that has provided the bond. If a notary does not ensure that someone is who they say they are, the insurance provider is responsible for paying out any damages that result from an individual losing a court case.

There are a variety of ways that business litigation can be avoided or the process sped up. Since litigation often takes time and resources away from the ability to run a business, avoiding drawn out legal cases is essential. A business and commercial law attorney can assist clients in negotiating and drafting important agreements in a manner that will help them achieve this goal.

Source: Entrepreneur, “Avoiding Contract Disputes“, Chris Kelleher, October 18, 2014

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