Category: Notary News
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Deed Fraud in Westchester: A Stark Warning on the Power of a Notary Stamp
The recent investigation into the Parraglia family “deed feud” in Westchester County serves as a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities in the New York real estate system. According to records, Peter Parraglia’s home was transferred to his stepmother for a mere $10. While the stepmother denies forgery, the New York State Police are currently investigating…
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COVID-19 Guide From “Wet Ink” to Digital Ironclad: Navigating E-Signatures and RON in 2026
The shift toward a remote work environment, accelerated by the challenges of previous years, has transformed electronic signatures and notarization from “convenient alternatives” into the legal standard for the modern professional. While laws like ESIGN, UETA, and New York’s ESRA have long validated the “symbol or process” of signing digitally, the landscape of 2026 demands…
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Navigating Digital Transactions in the Wake of COVID-19: Requirements and Evolving RON Laws
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a sudden and sharp rise in electronic transactions, forcing contracting parties to quickly adapt to a remote-first world. While this shift has made business faster, it has also highlighted the critical legal requirements for electronic signatures and Remote Online Notarization (RON) that must be followed to avoid unenforceable contracts. The COVID-19…
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From “Emergency Orders” to the 2026 Electronic Wills Act: The Future of NY Estate Planning
The executive orders issued on March 19 and April 7, 2020 (EO 202.7 and 202.14), were watershed moments for the New York legal landscape. They introduced the first rigorous framework for Remote Notarization and Remote Witnessing to ensure that essential life-planning documents—like wills, living trusts, and powers of attorney—could still be executed during the height…
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Virtual Testimony in 2026: Mastering Remote Depositions After the COVID-19 Pivot
The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally altered the logistics of litigation. While most cases once came to a “screeching halt,” the adaptation of remote deposition technology and the evolution of procedural rules—such as New York’s CPLR 3113 and Federal Rule 30(b)(4)—have created a permanent, high-tech standard for testimony. In 2026, the “emergency” of the past has become…
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Estate Planning in the 2026 Landscape: Lessons from the Pandemic Shift
The surge in estate planning requests triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed how we approach mortality and legacy. As experts like Daniel S. Rubin noted during the crisis, the fear of incapacitation spurred a “virtual soft-shoe” to execute documents like Wills, Living Trusts, and Health Care Proxies under strict social distancing mandates. In 2026,…
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The Digital Real Estate Evolution: From Pandemic “Emergency” to 2026 Permanent Statutes
The article accurately captures the “scramble” of 2020, where COVID-19 forced states like New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to adopt temporary Remote Online Notarization (RON) measures. However, as of April 2026, the landscape has shifted from “temporary” and “lapsed” to a permanent, codified reality. In 2026, the hesitation from lenders and title companies mentioned…
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Modern Compliance: Navigating E-Signatures and Remote Notarization in 2026
The shift toward digital transactions, accelerated by COVID-19, has transformed the legal landscape. While the article highlights the “emergency” roots of these practices, as of April 2026, New York and the federal government have moved toward permanent, high-security frameworks. Understanding the distinction between a simple electronic signature and a Remote Online Notarization (RON) is vital…
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Permanent Freedom: Navigating New York’s Executive Law Section 135-C
The shift from emergency pandemic measures to NY Executive Law Section 135-C marks a permanent evolution in how New York handles legal documentation. While the “Executive Order” era was about survival, the 2026 landscape is about security and flexibility. Under the current law, Remote Online Notarization (RON) is no longer a temporary workaround—it is a…
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Fort Hamilton’s Legal Assistance Team wins Army level award | Article
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, Michael Huber, Alma Whitelaw, Patricia Ingao, and Rod O’Connor pose for a group photo inside the Installation Legal Office at Fort Hamilton, N.Y. August 12, 2022. The Fort Hamilton Installation Legal Office’s ability to assist eligible clients with managing their personal legal affairs in…