A notary public is a person appointed by a state government, whose primary role is to serve the public as an impartial witness when important documents are signed.   Notaries help deter fraud and verify the authenticity of important documents.  The notary also makes sure that the signers are entering into agreements knowingly and willingly. When you see a notary’s seal on a document, it means a notary public verified that the transaction is authentic and properly executed.

But when do you need a notary?   Any time you have a document that could potentially need to be upheld in court, it is a good idea to have it notarized.  Some of the most common documents that should be notarized are the following:

Sworn Statement

Quitclaim Deed

Application for Duplicate or Paperless Title

Power of Attorney

Bill of Sale

Rental/Lease Agreements

Parental Consent for Travel

Medical release forms

Wills/Trusts

Advanced directives

Executorships

Custody and guardianship agreements

Articles of incorporation

Vendor contracts

Commercial leases

Employment contracts

Loan agreements

These are just a few of the documents a notary can sign.  If you need a document witnessed by a notary, make sure to bring a valid form of photo ID (driver’s license, State issued ID, Passport, etc.) and the unsigned documents.  In most cases, the notary will need to witness your signature.  Unsure whether you need a notary?  Call or email our office.

The post What is a Notary and When Do I Need One? appeared first on Select Court Reporters.

It’s no surprise to find that more and more attorneys are looking for ways to increase happiness in their profession. Whether you are on your 1st or your 20th year as an attorney, happiness is essential in maintaining a long and successful career.

Studies have found that the happiest attorneys have created an environment within their profession that combines their passions, their best qualities and desired lifestyle.

More and more attorneys are beginning to question whether or not happiness is achievable in their profession and the answer is, and always has been, yes! The cornerstone for achieving it lies within your passion. What pushed you to become an attorney? What was the foundation for your motivation when enrolled in law school? What was the aha moment that led to your decision to become an attorney? Answering any of these questions will begin your mental pursuit to rediscover what your true passion is in this profession, bringing you one step closer to happier work days!

“What are your strengths?” You most likely answered this question in countless interviews when trying to start your career. But now that you’re established, when is the last time you answered that question? Like many things in life, we change and grow over time. Therefore, the strengths you have now may be different from the ones you had in the past. Learning what your new strengths are can reveal something new in your profession that you can excel in that you may not have noticed before.

Your desired lifestyle is essential to how you build your career. We all have visions for how we want to live and the steps to get there may seem overwhelming at first but it is definitely possible. As an attorney it can feel like you are always at the mercy of your client. In many situations that may be true. However, there are countless ways one can practice law. Finding a method of practice that conforms to you is very important in achieving happiness within the workplace. You do not have to stick to the status quo work-life balance that is expected or envisioned for attorneys, find and stick to what works for you!

Select Court Reporters You Can Count On!

The post 3 Ways to Build a Career in Law that Makes You Happy appeared first on Select Court Reporters.

You read that right. Encouraging your employees to lead a healthy lifestyle can increase your firm or business’ productivity. Good physical health not only decreases the incidence of absence among workers, it also stimulates good mental health. Scientific research shows that healthier employees outperform their less than healthy counterparts. They are more productive, keep better focus, and have an increased drive to finish tasks and complete important projects. Advocating good employee health can be a great way to promote good function in your office or law firm, and it will also boost overall morale. There are a number of ways to accomplish good employee health, but possibly the best would be to create an Employee Health Policy. This policy would establish various ways to bolster your workers’ health throughout the day and help them to create a robust and holistic lifestyle.

Select Court Reporters has put together a few ideas for you to include in your firm or business’ Employee Health Policy:

1. Mandatory Breaks.

While this might seem counterintuitive, especially in a law firm setting where time is most definitely money, breaks can help employees reset when dealing with mental blocks and during periods of confusion or boredom.  Breaks can also entice workers to start creating work instead of waiting to be told what to do.  Studies have shown that those who give in to distraction once an hour will perform better than those who just keep working without a break. The brain tends to go numb when dealing with constant stimulation and a person becomes unable to continuously view or treat a particular task as important.  Breaks allow employees to step away from a situation, grab a breath of fresh air, reset their noggin, and return to a task with more vigor and better concentration.

2. Drink 2 Liters of Water a Day.

Water is the lifeblood of the body. It hydrates, helps with organ health, and promotes increased brain activity. Our brains depend on proper hydration to function optimally. Brain cells require a delicate balance between water and various elements to operate, and when you lose too much water, that balance is disrupted. Your brain cells lose efficiency. Research has found that when the body is thirsty, we have more difficulty staying focused. Dehydration can impair short-term memory and even affect the recall of long-term memory. The ability to perform mental math, like calculating how much time you might have spent on a particular matter, is also compromised when your fluids are low.  A good way to encourage your employees to drink more water is to provide quart-sized water bottles bearing your firm or business logo (good way to advertise off-site as well). Hold contests to see who can drink the most water in a week and offer a free lunch at a healthy restaurant nearby as a prize!

3. Hold a Weekly Walking Meeting.

Walking is excellent for the heart and lungs, which in turn fuel that thought-full organ in our noggins. Establish a weekly walking meeting in small groups and get your blood pumping while you get your work done. A meeting outside the office is also a fantastic way to revitalize the mind. Remember how much fun school field trips were?  A change in locale can boost curiosity and get employees – and the boss – in the mood to innovate!

4. Purchase a Firm or Business Gym Membership.

Working out is just good for you.  We could chatter on about the numerous studies that support this truth, but we’re pretty sure you’ve likely heard it all. Lifting weights, cardio, and even yoga are extremely effective strategies for strengthening both mind and body.  A firm or business gym membership, which is usually cheaper for an employee, will definitely encourage them to get their exercise on and help support their health in the long run.

5. Reward Your Employees with a Monthly Chair Massage!

Once you start seeing the results of your Employee Health Policy, surprise your employees with a monthly chair massage! Massage helps to loosen muscles in the neck and shoulders—those used most by office workers who live on their computers. It can also reduce tension, anxiety, and the incidence of migraines or headaches.

Establishing a policy that encourages employee health will not only increase productivity, it will show them how much you appreciate them, something they will appreciate, in turn. Your staff is like your family. You rely on them as much as they rely on you. Wanting them to be in optimal health should be a high priority on your firm or business’ list of yearly goals.

Select Court Reporters wants you AND your staff to be as healthy as possible this year! We are proud to serve attorneys and firms in all areas of Central Florida including but not limited to Oviedo, Winter Springs, Sanford, Lake Mary, Ocoee, Longwood, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Orlando, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs and Winter Garden, and look forward to providing ideas, advice, and, of course, exemplary court reporting services to those attorneys in need! Contact us today to discuss your priorities. We’d be happy to help!

“Select Court Reporters you can count on!”

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