A notary public can help with a wide variety of legal matters, though they’re most commonly known for notarizing documents. They certainly can do that, but there’s more to notaries than you may think.
What Does a Notary Public Do?
A notary is a professional that can aid you with non-contentious legal concerns. Essentially, they can help you with legal matters that don’t require court representation. Part of this means that they can notarize documents, but there are other services they can provide as well. In general, notaries can help in the following areas:
- Real Estate
- Business
- Wills and Estates
- Contracts
- Powers of Attorney
- Notarizing
The Difference Between a Notary Public and a Lawyer
With that in mind, you may wonder why you would hire a notary public for your legal help instead of a lawyer.
The main difference between a notary public and a lawyer is that the lawyer can represent you in court and deal with contentious legal matters. There’s also a difference in the education needed to become a lawyer or a notary public in BC. Lawyers require an undergraduate and a law degree, while notaries require an undergraduate and a Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies. Both professions must pass an exam before they can practice, and notaries public must also be accepted into the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia.
So Why Hire a Notary Public?
While it’s possible for a lawyer to provide you with the same services as a notary public, it’s essential to keep in mind that BC notaries are trained experts in the services they provide. For example, It would be far more beneficial for you to consult a notary public for real estate matters than a lawyer trained for court representation.
If you’re unsure your legal matter can be resolved by a notary, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one to discuss your issue. Notaries will easily be able to inform you if you need a lawyer instead and will be able to refer you to trusted help.
Let Juris Notary Help
Do you need to consult with someone about your legal matters or need to get any documents notarized? Get in touch with Juris Notary, and we’ll be happy to help you out or point you in the correct direction if need be.