Attention all Lawyers and notaries: Receipe for a Lawsuit

When a notary fails to be diligent in checking of the signers, this can be a receipe for a lawsuit. Even if a person who is known to notary swears to the identity of the signer, which is legal in VA, the question can be raised on why the notary did not check the id of all signers. The classic example: Notary is told by a boss that Jane Doe is the wife of John Doe. Unfortunately for the notary, Jane Doe is really Jane Smith, John Doe's girlfriend. The real Jane Doe is very unhappy when the family home is sold.She then consults a lawyer who files a lawsuit.