The Notary Files: A Podcast by National Award-Winning Signing Agent Sonita M Leak

One trip to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina some time ago did not go smoothly. Upon arrival, I learned that the signer I was about to see had a medical emergency and therein could not sign a simple document that would have set his beneficiary information for insurance straight. It happens quite a bit. We notaries are met with situations that are beyond our control. I learned shortly before midnight that the signer passed away.

The job of a notary can go from fairly simple to very complex in a matter of seconds. Many trips to hospitals, assisted-living facilities and hospices can be daunting on the psyche of a notary. One day you will see a patient in a facility who is in good spirits; and in a different setting the next day in Intensive Care. It comes with the territory.

Although most of my posts are ‘happy-go-lucky’, problems arise and things do go wrong in many signing situations, and they are not posted on this website as blogs; hence, why I post what I do post about signers being of sound mind, not incapacitated, held under duress, etc. Sharing information is caring.

One thing to consider in signing situations is the complexity of what’s really in front of you. If you pare people’s lives down to a piece of paper, there is a major disconnect. Yes, you’re just a notary public, but being a notary in a particular situation does not mean that you don’t have feelings and cannot empathize. People who deal with signing situations can get into the rut of ‘performing the job at hand and leaving’, but I must warn these professionals that in that 30 minutes to an hour of time you are before your signer or signers, unless you are a completely heartless human being, you will have some form of attachment to them and their situation.

Customer Service is key. I say that with capital letters because those two words are so very important. I’ve contributed to several articles regarding offering top-notch Customer Service. Knowledge is at one end of the Customer Service spectrum. Empathy is at the other end.

For more information (and this is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY), you can search through my posts by using the Search Bar in the top right sidebar of this site.

Comments? Questions? Leave them in the Comments section below.

People in my life would say that I’m a work-a-holic. When they see me out and about, I’m doing just that most times – working. But as a human being, I must take time to sit back, smell the roses, sip the coffee, play with the kids and RELAX. Yes, I said it Seemingly from a person who never rests. But, au contrare, mu frere! I do.

If I spent every waking hour of the day working and not getting the recharge and the rest I needed, I would be a ball of nerves, tired all the time and just plain unhealthy. There’s just no way I could let that happen dealing with multiple children and multiple responsibilities.

My advice for the day? Take some good quality time out with your family doing something recreational. No, it doesn’t have to go on for hours, it could be as little as 20 minutes worth of something, ANYTHING. Just do it!

Also, don’t forget to take some time for you. I hear it all the time, and so I repeat it, “If you can’t help yourself or do something for yourself, you definitely cannot do anything for anyone else.” Breathe, pray, meditate, recreate, and most of all APPRECIATE!

I sincerely hope you all enjoy this beautiful next couple of days, I know I’m looking forward to them.

Love,

Your Local Upstate Marriage NotarySonita M. Leak

Did you know that many of the forms you seek that require notarization through the State of South Carolina can be found HERE. By here, we mean the State of South Carolina’s Judicial Department Form Search Site.  Why is this link so important?  Through this link, you will find resources for documents and forms related to Adoption, Probate, Incapacitation of loved ones, etc. (There is an entirely different source for Divorce Packet information.) This list is an excellent resource for those seeking answers on which forms to have on hand in particular situations.

Since this list is very extensive, it would be best for anyone conducting a search to type what they are looking for in the search field  ~ or ~ you could pull up the entire list by setting your search to ‘All Court Types‘ and clicking SUBMIT. After submitting your search, you would press [Ctrl + F] to open the Find Box. Simply type in the term you are looking for and prayerfully you get the results you are seeking.

FYI – There are over 300 forms on this list, this notary public recommends that you search wisely!

The information herein is in regard to the State of South Carolina Judicial Department’s forms submissions page.  It can be found by clicking on any of the language previous or by clicking HERE.

Original Post Dated: January 20, 2017

(Repost dedicated to John James Powell, my Son-shine.)

‘During the hospitalization of one of my daughters, posted directly from Greenville Memorial Hospital ON LOCATION.  This post is dedicated to my child.’

One of my main focuses on this blog is to talk about situations involving Seniors and Senior Care.  As I sit here in this hospital, as I have for several days, I realize that I have neglected to talk about the serious issue of what to do should the minor child of a parent become sick.  Issues such as:

Who is to care for the parent or parents’ other children?

What happens should the unexpected occur and there is a longer than normal hospital stay?

What if your child needs more care than the local hospital can handle?

Exigent circumstances surrounding childcare happen too, it’s not only related to adult care. What can you do as a parent to aid in preventing a major calamity?

There are several forms you may want to take a look at.  Where are they found?  You can hover over and click on the links below or you can do a basic ‘Google‘ search yourself.

Temporary Guardianship Agreement

Minor Child Care Power of Attorney

Special Power of Attorney for a Minor

Child Care Medical Power of Attorney

Please note that some of the forms above will not fit within the criteria for an executable document in EVERY state.  Do your research on the proper form according to your state.  The information contained herein is for informational purposes ONLY.

I end this post thinking and praying positive thoughts over the children who are currently in care at hospital facilities all over the nation.  I pray healing over their lives, their parents, caregivers, hospital staff, volunteers and all involved.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.

~State of South Carolina Notary Public and Owner of GreenvilleNotary.com, Sonita M. Leak.

People in my life would say that I’m a work-a-holic. When they see me out and about, I’m doing just that most times – working. But as a human being, I must take time to sit back, smell the roses, sip the coffee, play with the kids and RELAX. Yes, I said it Seemingly from a person who never rests. But, au contrare, mu frere! I do.

If I spent every waking hour of the day working and not getting the recharge and the rest I needed, I would be a ball of nerves, tired all the time and just plain unhealthy. There’s just no way I could let that happen dealing with multiple children and multiple responsibilities.

My advice for the day? Take some good quality time out with your family doing something recreational. No, it doesn’t have to go on for hours, it could be as little as 20 minutes worth of something, ANYTHING. Just do it!

Also, don’t forget to take some time for you. I hear it all the time, and so I repeat it, “If you can’t help yourself or do something for yourself, you definitely cannot do anything for anyone else.” Breathe, pray, meditate, recreate, and most of all APPRECIATE!

I sincerely hope you all enjoy this beautiful next couple of days, I know I’m looking forward to them.

Love,

Your Local Upstate Marriage NotarySonita M. Leak

Marriage Notary Public & Officiant Sonita M. Leak is the Author of the following information:

All requests for a Marriage License in Greenville County must be made in person by both parties getting married.  There are additional options for picking up the license once applied for, such as Third-Party Authorization.  Inquire to the Marriage License Division by calling 864) 467-7171.

For a couple consisting of Greenville County residents, the application fee is $45.00. If both parties live outside of Greenville County, yet one resides in South Carolina, the fee will be $75. For any couple traveling from out of state/country, the cost for a marriage license in Greenville County is $95. If, after review and nuptials, you discover that there is something incorrect on the license, there will be a correction fee of $6.75, so make sure when it is issued you check that it is absolutely, positively, 100% CORRECT!

There are different items requested by both parties from each Marriage License Division office and since these can vary, I definitely urge you to visit the Greenville County’s Marriage License Division website to seek your answers to what documentation, IDs, originals you need to accomplish applying.  You can visit the site by clicking HERE.

There is a keepsake folder that, although not necessary, may be something you will consider purchasing for an additional $2.00 (as of July 1, 2019). I do not recommend to any couple to use their copy of the Marriage License and Certificate to transact business. This is your copy to keep, frame, put away, and should only be used in an emergency. Why? Say you travel to the Social Security office to have your name changed and in the commission of the clerk making a copy of your certificate, it is accidentally caught in a paper jam. Say the clerk fouled up the copy and instead of putting the misprinted copy in the shredder, accidentally shreds your original. Case in point, keep it as just that, A KEEPSAKE!

A certified copy of your certificate will cost you $5.00. At this time, the copy fee is $ .25, however, it may be higher depending on your request.

Some interesting facts:

Marriage License requests can go as far back as 1911 in the Greenville County database and requests can be made by either walking in to the office or by mail.

One of the biggest questions by a couple to our service is, “Do I have to have a ceremony?” Quite simply, “Yes.” In the State of South Carolina, it is a requirement for a ceremony to be performed.

Probate Court judges, staff, nor personnel marry couples.

If you do not have a Social Security card and are not eligible to receive one, it is possible to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration Office stating that you are unable to obtain it.

The Marriage License Division is located in Suite 5600 of Greenville County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. The number to call for inquiry is 864.467.7571.

The Marriage and License Administrators Elizabeth Robinson, Janise Chapman and Ruby Moore are at your service to assist you with your application needs.

For More Information on Application Click HERE.

Congratulations to the National Notary of the Year 2019, Judy Chapman

Judy Chapman has been heralded as a Notary Public hero. Although now retired, Ms. Chapman has created many channels of public service in her tenure as a Notary and more, even after retirement. She is someone to look up to when it comes to the duties we hold as public servants.

Not only is Chapman the Owner of her own Real Estate agency, Chapman has years of service to those less fortunate. You can read more about Judy Chapman by visiting the post associated with her 2019 Notary of the Year accomplishment HERE.

*Photo courtesy of the National Notary Association based out of Chatsworth, California.

GreenvilleNotary.com has seen its days, good and not so good over the years. Looking back at what the website used to look like is quite the eyesore. It is an old adage that if you take a rugged stone and rub it over time that it smooths out. This has definitely been the case with my notary website over the years. Take a look at the following video to see what changes have occurred since the website’s inception in 2010.

The Old vs. The New GreenvilleNotary.com – Using WordPress

Never been to a Community Health Summit? Well, you’ll have to experience it for yourself. You and the kids, if you have them. Last year, I had the opportunity to attend my first Community Health Summit. The primary focuses of the summit last year were on raising awareness of Diabetes and the stigma of Mental Health issues.Both hit home to my family, as my paternal Uncle passed away due to complications of Diabetes and I currently have an immediate family member who was diagnosed Bipolar at an early age.Not only is it a chance to bring these issues to the forefront for adults, it is a great opportunity to bring your children to learn more information about the issues brought by the annual summit, as well.Last year, during the summit, guest speakers spoke on various topics and there was even a breakout, or should we say ‘dance-out’ session by Crunk Cardio via Shauna Marie. Let me tell you, when I say the entire room was twisting, shaking and moving, looky here!This year, the summit‘s primary focuses are on Heart Disease, Hypertension and Diabetes with an additional youth focus on Careers in Health Care and Medicine, as per the current year’s summit website information.The featured speakers of the day are Doctors Brandi and Brittani Jackson. Not only are they sisters, they are actually twin sisters from, get this, Twinsburg Ohio.For more information on attending this year’s summit that will take place on April 6, 2019, you can visit the Prisma Health 13th Annual Community Health Summit page HERE. Registration is free. Visit the site for age-based registration requirements.All photos courtesy of Prisma Health.

Listen in for the information and how to register for the upcoming 13th Annual Community Health Summit, provided by Prisma Health (formerly Greenville Health System).Information as read directly from the Prisma Health website for registration.