GA Notary Ethical Considerations and Responsibilities 2

Question 1

A Georgia notary is asked to notarize a deed that will financially benefit a family member. What is the ethical requirement?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to notarize because the notary has a direct or indirect financial interest

Answer

Notarize it and disclose the relationship in the journal

Answer

Notarize it only if a second notary witnesses the act

Answer

Notarize it since family relationships are not a conflict

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the notary's duty of impartiality?

Accepted Answer

The notary must treat all signers equally without favoring any party to the transaction

Answer

The notary must assist signers who appear confused about document terms

Answer

The notary must explain all legal implications of the document

Answer

The notary must advocate for the party who hired them

Question 3

A notary is offered a $100 tip above the statutory fee for a same-day notarization. What is the ethical response?

Accepted Answer

Decline it to avoid any appearance of impropriety or undue inducement

Answer

Accept it since tips are not regulated

Answer

Accept it if the signer insists

Answer

Accept it and note it in the notarial journal

Question 4

What should a notary do if they personally know the signer and believe the signer is being coerced into signing?

Accepted Answer

Refuse to perform the notarization and advise the signer they may seek help

Answer

Notarize because personal knowledge of the signer satisfies identification

Answer

Proceed but note the concern in the journal

Answer

Contact law enforcement before notarizing

Question 5

A notary public in Georgia is an attorney who drafted the document being signed. Is it ethical to also notarize it?

Accepted Answer

No, because the attorney-notary has a direct interest in the transaction

Answer

Yes, because attorneys are held to higher professional standards

Answer

Yes, as long as the client consents in writing

Answer

Yes, if another witness is present

Question 6

When is it permissible for a Georgia notary to notarize their spouse's signature?

Accepted Answer

It is never permissible because the notary has a personal interest

Answer

Only on non-financial documents

Answer

Only with written consent from the other party

Answer

It is permissible if the notary discloses the relationship

Question 7

A notary discovers after completing a notarization that they had an undisclosed financial interest in the document. What is the correct course of action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the parties and consider whether the act should be voided or redone by a disinterested notary

Answer

Do nothing since the notarization is already complete

Answer

Cross out their signature and stamp from the document

Answer

File an amended journal entry removing the conflict