Eleventh Hour Mobile Notary

CA Assembly Bill 139 Notary Law Update: CA Assembly Bill 139 State: California Summary: Assembly Bill 139 allows an owner of real property to transfer title to the property upon the owner's death by means of a revocable transfer on death deed that must be acknowledged before a Notary.... Signed: September 21, 2015 Effective: January 01, 2016 Changes: Permits the transfer of real property by means of a transfer on death deed until January 1, 2021. Requires a transfer on death deed to be acknowledged before a Notary. Requires the transfer on death deed to be recorded prior to the grantor's death and no longer than 60 days after it is signed.. Provides that the transfer on death deed is nontestamentary (is not a "last will" and is not required to be probated as such). Provides that the person executing the transfer on death deed to have the capacity required to contract and make a revocable transfer on death deed. Provides a form for a transfer on death deed and revocation of a transfer on death deed. Analysis: According to the bill author, California law offers individuals ways to transfer real property to a chosen beneficiary at death. These include a will, trust, joint tenancy, and community property. While some of these ways to effect a transfer of property must happen during the property owner’s lifetime, others happen upon death, and each vary in the cost and ease of transfer, revocability options, ownership rights, effect on Medi-Cal eligibility, and availability to creditors. Although other estate planning options are available to property owners, the revocable transfer on death deed is the most simple and inexpensive option. Furthermore, it may be the only tool available to unmarried homeowners who wish to leave their property to a lifelong partner, family member, friend or loved one upon death, but who do not want to transfer present interest (such as joint tenancy) or cannot afford to set up a trust. Under the new law which expires January 1, 2021, a transfer on death deed must be signed and acknowledged before a Notary Public. Thus, for California Notaries, a transfer on death deed ranks right alongside deeds, deeds of trust and mortgages, powers of attorney and living trusts as "high value" documents that they will be asked to handle. Notaries must be careful in handling any document they are asked to notarize because of the potential legal implications, but they should be especially careful when they are asked to notarize a transfer on death deed.

Did you know that it's a FEDERAL crime to photocopy a military ID?? According to code 18 U.S.C. 701 "You can be fined and/or imprisoned if you are caught photocopying, or in the possession of, military ID's, even if only for your title company purposes." WOW, I had no idea!

Don't forget to keep track of your mileage if you're self employed...

This article is from a year ago but definitely worth reading again.

Could we start seeing business pick up?

Stop by and take a look at my new business logo - I'm extremely excited about it and couldn't wait to share it with everyone I know! I have to give many thanks to the graphics & web designer, Lesa Mathewson; it was her creativity, imagination, intuition and pinpoint perfect attention to detail that brought my vision to life.

If you've been waiting to buy your 1st or next home now may be a great time!

It's me again - checking in after a long hiatus from Facebook. I recently moved to beautiful Orange County, CA and absolutely love it here! Watch my page for periodic updates and I hope everyone has a fantastic 2014!