Must the Maker of a Document Be Present for a Notary to Authenticate a Signature?

One can have a document notarized without the notary being in the same location as the Maker of the document at the time of signing. This is done by providing identification to the notary public and acknowledging to the notary that the signature on the document is that of the person seeking the notarization. Witnesses … Read more

Must a Trustee Transfer Deeds as Directed by the Grantor if Mental Health is in Question?

The Trustee of a Trust must execute the transfer of deeds for any real property owned by the Trust that is sold to a new owner.

Further, if the Trust is revocable, then the Grantor of the Trust can terminate the current Trustee and name a new Trustee (i.e. the person who may sign deeds for real property), if that is the requirement set forth in the Trust or if that is the direction the Grantor decides.

But given these two statements of required action by the Trustee, the mental competency of the Grantor is a separate matter entirely.

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Can a Property Listed in a Living Trust Be Quitclaimed to a Third Party Without Being Removed from the Trust?

If a property has been properly transferred to the Trust (i.e. the Trust has been properly funded and a Quitclaim Deed has been filed using the Trust name), then only the Trustee can transfer the property “back out of” the Trust and to a third party.

The Trust document must also authorize or empower the Trustee to take such action (or grant the Trustee the discretion to transfer the property).

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