Whenever we buy or sell assets, or write a will to pass on our wealth to a trust or our legal heirs, notarization is required for various types of documents, such as legal contracts, deeds, wills, powers of attorney, and other important legal documents. For instance, when buying or selling real estate, a notary public must witness the signing of the closing documents to ensure that all parties involved in the transaction have signed the documents willingly and without duress.
It is an essential step in asset management to secure the documentation in a manner that there is no unwarranted claim on the asset that will make it impossible for the legal heir to claim the inheritance. When a person dies without a will, they are said to have died “intestate.” This means that their assets and property will be distributed according to state law rather than their wishes. The distribution will be determined by the state’s intestacy laws, which may not align with the individual’s wishes or intentions. This makes notarized will an ideal tool to tide over such foreseeable issues.
Remote Online Notarization is a modern way of performing notarizations electronically, using audio and video conferencing technology. This digital alternative to traditional notarizations has been gaining popularity in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the need for remote services.
RON allows individuals to complete notarizations from the comfort of their homes or offices, eliminating the need to physically appear before a notary. In RON, the notary public is located remotely, and the entire process is conducted using audio and video technology. The notary verifies the identity of the signer through video identification, and the signer signs the electronic document using an electronic signature.
Before the advent of Remote Online Notary Service, the notarization process was a time-consuming and paper-based process that required individuals to appear before a notary public in person. This often meant that individuals had to take time off work, arrange for childcare, or travel long distances to attend a notarization appointment. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the health risks associated with in-person interactions, making it challenging to carry out traditional notarizations. However, with RON, individuals can complete notarizations from the comfort of their homes or offices, eliminating the need to physically appear before a notary.
Features of RON
RON allows notarizations to be completed remotely, using audio and video technology. In this process, the notary public is located remotely, and the entire process is conducted using audio and video technology. The notary verifies the identity of the signer through video identification, and the signer signs the electronic document using an electronic signature. RON provides a high level of security, including multi-factor authentication and video recording of the notarization process. This ensures that the document has not been tampered with and that the signer’s identity has been verified.
Here are some features and benefits of RON:
Convenience and Flexibility
With RON, notarizations can be completed from anywhere, at any time. This is especially useful for people who cannot travel, have mobility issues, or are unable to leave their homes due to health reasons. It also eliminates the need for people to take time off work or arrange childcare to attend a notarization appointment.
Increased Efficiency
RON allows documents to be notarized quickly, eliminating the need for paperwork and reducing wait times. Documents can be signed and notarized in real time, and the notarization process can be completed in just a few minutes.
Enhanced Security
RON provides a high level of security, including multi-factor authentication and video recording of the notarization process. This ensures that the document has not been tampered with and that the signer’s identity has been verified.
Cost Savings
RON eliminates the need for travel, printing, shipping, and other related expenses, resulting in cost savings for both the signer and the notary public. It also reduces the administrative burden for businesses that require notarized documents.
Increased Accessibility
RON makes notarization services accessible to individuals and businesses in remote locations. It also provides greater accessibility to people with disabilities, who may find it difficult to attend in-person notarization appointments.
Environmental Benefits
RON eliminates the need for paper-based notarizations, reducing the environmental impact of the notarization process.
Compliance
RON complies with state and federal regulations, ensuring that notarized documents are legally binding and enforceable. This includes compliance with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN Act) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA).
Here are some specific examples of how RON can benefit individuals who cannot move for health or other reasons:
- Elderly or Disabled Individuals
RON can provide a convenient and accessible way for elderly or disabled individuals to notarize important documents, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, without having to leave their homes.
- Hospitalized Individuals
RON can allow hospitalized individuals to complete notarizations for medical consent forms, power of attorney, or other legal documents without having to leave their hospital beds.
- Individuals with Chronic Illness
RON can help individuals with chronic illnesses, who may find it difficult to travel or leave their homes, to notarize important documents, such as insurance policies, living wills, or estate plans.
- Rural Residents
RON can provide rural residents with access to notarization services, which may not be available in their local areas.
- Military Personnel
RON can allow military personnel to notarize important documents, such as wills and powers of attorney, while they are stationed abroad, eliminating the need to physically appear before a notary public.
Conclusion:
Imagine a couple who worked hard and paid their mortgage, sent kids to college, and built a comfortable retirement fund. Unfortunately, the couple did not write and notarize their will and died without one in an accident. Their children did not go by the next best option but wasted a lot of money on legal fees trying to win their parent’s estate disproportionately. Ultimately when the matter was settled, the court and legal fees were and the time consumed in the sibling’s rivalry did not match their share of the inheritance. To avoid such circumstances, it is necessary to notarize all important documents.