Free Ethics & Professional Conduct Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Charging a fee above the state-mandated maximum for a notarial act is:

Accepted Answer

A violation of state law that can result in disciplinary action

Answer

Acceptable if the signer agrees in writing

Answer

Permitted for complex legal documents

Answer

Required to cover the notary's liability insurance

Question 2

An ethical notary must maintain which of the following throughout every notarial transaction?

Accepted Answer

Impartiality toward all parties in the transaction

Answer

Loyalty to the party who hired them

Answer

Confidentiality of all document content

Answer

Complete knowledge of the document's legal effect

Question 3

A notary is offered a cash bonus to notarize a document quickly without properly verifying the signer's identity. The ethical response is to:

Accepted Answer

Decline the bonus and either verify identity properly or refuse to notarize

Answer

Accept the bonus if the signer looks trustworthy

Answer

Accept and document the situation in the journal

Answer

Accept if the transaction is for a small dollar amount

Question 4

Which statement best describes the ethical principle of a notary acting as a "ministerial officer"?

Accepted Answer

The notary follows prescribed legal procedures without personal judgment about the transaction's wisdom

Answer

The notary acts as the client's legal advocate

Answer

The notary manages all paperwork for the transaction

Answer

The notary advises the client on the best course of action

Question 5

A notary discovers a clerical error in a document after completing the notarization. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Not alter the completed document; notify the appropriate parties and re-execute if necessary

Answer

Correct the error directly on the document and initial the change

Answer

White out the error and continue

Answer

Destroy the document and start over

Question 6

Why must a notary avoid notarizing a document for a family member in many states?

Accepted Answer

Because the notary may have a financial interest or lack impartiality

Answer

Because family members are not legally competent signers

Answer

Because family members never need notarized documents

Answer

Because family members always commit fraud