Jolene Blackbourn
Notaries often wonder what they can do to work with lawyers. As an attorney who works with notaries frequently, I can tell you exactly why some are offered repeat business and others are not.
Have something to add, let's hear it!
If you are working with an attorney, they are helping their client with an important legal issue that can also be an emotional issue for their client. When the notary is late, not only can it make the attorney look bad, it can also emotionally impact the client.
If you want continued business from an attorney, you need to make them look good. That means arriving on time, ready to work. If you will be late, communication is key!
You don't have to wear a suit. But you should look clean and presentable. You are a reflection of the attorney you are assisting. Some clients will be signing documents worth millions of dollars and to show up in tennis shoes, even though you're "just" the notary, is almost stating that you don't think the event is important.
Letting everyone know that you will be there for them, even in the future, can really set a client at ease. The happier the signer, the happier the attorney!
Always confirm the appointment! Send a text or email a day or so before the signing just letting the attorney know that you will be at the previously stated location at the chosen time. This gives them greater confidence in you and makes you look organized. Attorneys need to be organized and appreciate that from those they work with.
Notaries can charge for signatures and travel. It's important to know when to be willing to negotiate your standard rate. This is not to say that every signing merits a discount. Just be aware of your relationship. If the attorney knows you could walk to the location, consider lowering that travel fee. And if the attorney asks for a discount for any other reason, a small discount, in the spirit of "good will" could land you that next job.
Your attitude is important! Showing up to a signing as if you are in a hurry to leave will make everyone around you tense. A signer may want to ask questions but feel pressured to "just sign" because of your attitude.
When you arrive, take note of the atmosphere. If it's happy and friendly, join in. If it's subdued, can you improve it? Can you set everyone at ease? The more you can make the attorney's client feel at ease, the more that attorney will want to use you again.
A lawyer WANTS you to ask questions if you are uncertain how they would like a signing to go. Signings can happen in nursing homes or hospitals and there may be a particular way they would like you to handle the notarization. Even during a "typical" signing, asking how the attorney would like the signing to go will win you bonus points.
You need to not only offer your services but to make it clear you REALLY want the work.
For example:
"This was great. I've been looking to do more of this type of work. I'd be happy to help the next time you have a signing. I travel anywhere in the area."
OR
"I enjoyed working with you. If you have time, I'd like to set up a call to find out who your ideal client is so I can refer the appropriate business to you and would love to see what type of notary services you need so we can work together again."
It can be scary for an attorney to trust that a notary will show up as expected. It's hard to find a back-up at the last minute. That's why I always look for notary "teams".
A teammate does not have to be a business partner. They could be someone who covers a different area than you do. For example, if you cover Los Angeles and they cover San Diego, this makes you appear to cover a larger area than perhaps you care to, but also gives you a backup and potentially gives you more business.
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Jolene Blackbourn, Esq. is a California attorney who helps families protect their assets and their loved ones by simplifying the estate planning process.
