Using an experienced, commissioned Louisiana Notary Public can be an extremely cost-effective and wonderfully convenient alternative for legal document preparation and execution.  The Louisiana Notary, a civil law notary, has broad powers usually reserved for attorneys in other states.  A Notary can draft, prepare and execute affidavits, acknowledgments and authentic Acts.

 

Louisiana's Civil Law System provides for much of our legal documentation to be passed by a Notary, a public official who has qualified for a commission authorizing those powers.  Non-attorney notaries must demonstrate a proficiency in legal matters within the scope of this broad power and authority by passing an examination administered by the courts.  Licensed attorneys may be exempted from the exam.  All notaries in Louisiana otherwise go through the same process to obtain a commission, and have the same powers.

 

In addition to the notarial powers held by attorneys who are appointed to the office of Notary, attorneys may render legal opinions and give legal advice and represent clients in court, which are things that a non-attorney notaries may not legally do.  However, attorneys who are not commissioned as Notaries may not pass notarial acts.  Many times, the attorney is acting in a dual capacity - giving legal advice and exercising notarial powers.  If you do not need legal advice, a non - attorney notary is a good alternaive and can save you money.

 

Much of the transactional work reserved strickly to attorneys in other states falls within the scope of the authority granted by an appointement to the office of Notary Public in Louisiana, and requires a significant leval of professional expertise.