Getting important documents notarised by a notary public provides an extra layer of authentication and protection. While notarisation is not mandatory for most documents, having them notarised can prove they are genuine and prevent future disputes.
This article will explore five essential documents that people in the UK should consider getting notarised. Understanding which documents benefit from notarisation can save time, money, and headaches down the road.
1. Powers Of Attorney
A power of attorney gives someone else legal authority to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions. Banks, government agencies and care facilities will likely require a notarised power of attorney before recognising the authorised person’s rights to act on your behalf.
Notarising powers of attorney proves the document is legitimate and deters the possibility of fraud. The Minor Office of Notary Public recommends adults of all ages execute a notarised, durable power of attorney for healthcare and property. Doing this now, while you still have legal capacity, can help avoid court guardianship proceedings if you become impaired later.
2. Wills & Testaments
Like powers of attorney, contested wills and testaments require strong evidence of authenticity. Getting your last will and testament notarised by a Cheltenham Notary introduces a neutral, third-party verification of your signature and capacity. These notarised documents better withstand claims of undue influence, diminished mental ability or forgery following your death.
Wills signed under suspicious circumstances easily spark ugly court battles between potential heirs. Notarising functions as an advance safeguard should beneficiaries later question the will’s legality or validity. The small upfront investment in notarisation helps prevent massive legal bills down the road.
3. Business Agreements
Notarising is critical when entering high-stakes business partnerships, shareholder agreements or corporate mergers. Investors will feel more secure binding their economic interests knowing reputable notaries have thoroughly verified all signatures.
Seeking notarisation for major business dealings demonstrates due diligence. It reduces likelihoods of misunderstandings and provides solid evidence should disagreements later arise. Imagine how complex resolving a soured business deal could become without notarised records! Using notary services helps avoid such messes.
4. Real Estate Transactions
Signing a notarised property deed legally transfers ownership and responsibility for the asset. This applies when buying or selling real estate, granting easements across land or bequeathing property through inheritance. British solicitors traditionally notarise conveyance documents alongside conducting the title search, but independent notaries can notarise property contracts as well. Home buyers and sellers are wise to request notarisation.
Notarising establishes that you voluntarily signed the land rights transfer while of sound mind, fully comprehending the transaction’s significance. It prevents others claiming you unknowingly gave away the farm or lacked mental competence! Seeking notarisation adds prudence to high-value real estate deals.
5. Financial Affidavits & Loan Documents
Loan officers will likely require notarised copies of tax returns, bank statements or other financial records included in your application. Notarisation verifies that nothing altered the paperwork since issuance by HMRC, your employer, bank or other source. Loan approvals partly depend on this authentication.
Protect yourself and loved ones by proactively notarising important paperwork. How much does a notary cost? Reputable UK notaries charge affordable fees, often between £30-100 depending on the document’s complexity. When so much hangs in the balance, avoiding future challenges outweighs minor upfront costs. Discuss notarisation with your solicitor or directly contact a notary public today.
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