the wasserblawg

UPDATE: ILLINOIS REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION? NOT SO FAST! by Michael H. Wasserman A follow up on last Friday’s posting. This is going to be a bit of a bummer. Just because RON is legal does not mean that we will be able to use it . For all the State’s efforts to minimize public health risks associated in-person document signings, title companies and mortgage lenders just are not yet willing or able to accept Illinois RON signings. For the time being, we will still need buyers to sign loan documents in the actual physical presence of notaries.

REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION APPROVED FOR ILLINOIS By Michael H. Wasserman With the stroke of his pen, Governor Prtizker eased one of the biggest logistical challenges for client real estate closings since the COVID-19 emergency was declared nearly three weeks ago.   Executive Order 12 allows for remote online notarization. My firm is prepared and ready to utilize this tool now. (Technology, for the win!) Deeds, mortgages and many other documents used in real estate closings must be witnessed by an Illinois licensed notary . The ink-signed, original document has always been—and will continue to be—required for real estate closings. This poses a great difficulty: The notary and signer have to be in the same place, at the same time for the notary’s attestation to be valid. Shelter-in-place rules, best health-safety practices and overall concern of spreading COVID-19 make that unacceptable to many, undesirable to all, and impossible for some. Law firms and title companies h...

COVID-19 Home Closing Outlook – Week of March 23rd, 2020 By Michael H. Wasserman Need some not-so bad news? Real estate closings will continue for the foreseeable future. Governor Pritzker's  shelter-in-place order designates lenders, title companies, and lawyers all “essential.” This means my firm and I remain available and at the ready assist with real estate purchases and sales. We are working closely with title companies and colleagues to implement and execute safety protocols so that we can all minimize contact among the many, many hands that touch each transaction. The title industry has been quick to urge reducing number of people in their facilities, disinfecting offices, providing hand sanitizer, fresh pens and encouraging as much remote work as possible. We support and appreciate their efforts (and provide our own pens to clients too). Do you have a closing coming up? Here are our latest guidelines:

Covid-19 Update Date: March 15, 2020 The news over recent weeks has been startling and of great concern to us all. Following the President’s declaration of a national health emergency and the Governor’s executive order to combat continued spread of Covid-19, I would like you to know the steps that we are taking to protect your health and the health of our team, our partners, and colleagues. Let me reassure you there will be no disruption to our services. Michael H. Wasserman PC continues to be fully operational. We long ago invested in the technologies necessary to work remotely. These systems enable the entire law firm to work from anywhere and most of us do so to one extent or another already. We are able to receive mail and packages as usual, however, with limited exceptions. we are permitting only employees and necessary contractors to enter our offices for the time being. We are taking these steps to protect the health of our clients, team and colleagues. To reiterate, ...