Who You Gonna Call? Building a Ladder of Support When There's Something Strange in Your Notary World

We’ve all been there…

You’re on your way to a notary appointment. Coffee in hand, playlist on point, and feelin’ pretty good about life.

Then BAM.

Something weird happens. You get a text or a call from the signer. 

“Oops, Mom’s ID expired two years ago…but she’s 93, can you still do it?” 

“Oh, and this is for a POA and Last Will & Testament… for Switzerland. Didn’t we mention that?” 

“And, by the way, the attorney says we need an apostle.” 

Cue record scratch. 

Your internal dialogue:

“What in the notarized heck do I do now?” (Don’t worry, you don’t have to summon Peter, or any of the other apostles, this customer just needs an apostille) 

That, my friend, is when you need your Ladder of Support. It’s simply a list of your most trusted resources spelled out in one place for easy reference. This is especially helpful when the pressure is on and you freeze up. 

Here’s the good news:

You don’t need to know everything about everything. In fact, you’re not supposed to.

You just need to know where to turn when something strange shows up in your notary neighborhood.

Be Like MacGyver 

Part of being a notary expert isn’t having all the answers memorized, it’s being resourceful as hell. It’s knowing how to climb your Ladder of Support with calm, confidence, and maybe a clipboard & a paperclip (just in case).

Step 1: Create your ladder.

Don’t overthink it. Scribble it on paper. Type it out. Laminate it if you want to feel fancy. Tape it inside your journal or your planner. Have it where you can see it when the weirdness hits.

Step 2: Use it. 

When you're in the field and need backup, don't panic. Just reach for the next rung of your ladder.

Here’s a sample to get your wheels turning:

The Notary Ladder of Support

(climb it like your peace of mind depends on it, because it kinda does)

• Rung 1: State Notary Handbook or Statutes (your foundational law library)

• Rung 2: Notary Law Primer (yes, carry it!)

• Rung 3: Secretary of State Office (have the number saved in your phone-if they take calls)

• Rung 4: NNA Hotline (Members only for state-specific notary questions and support)

• Rung 5: Trusted Mentor #1 (put their name/number on the list)

• Rung 6: Trusted Mentor #2 (you’re allowed backups!)

• Rung 7: Your favorite notary or apostille Facebook group or peer network (Be selective!)

• Rung 8: Training portal or reference guide (like the ones from your courses)

• Rung 9: Hiring party or agency (when all else fails)

Why This Matters:

Because when you're out there doing the work, juggling documents, dealing with clients, and getting hit with curveballs, it’s easy to feel isolated, and under pressure. This is when mistakes and judgment lapses occur-when people are staring at you from across the table and just want things done so they can move on with their lives and supper. 

But just because you're in business for yourself doesn't mean you're in business by yourself.

Your Ladder of Support reminds you:

You're not alone. You’ve got a team, even if it's written on a sticky note in your bag. You’ll always have your team with you. 

Your Mission for the Week:

• Build your own Ladder of Support.

• Make it yours. 

• Keep it handy.

Because something will go bump in the middle of a signing. And when it does…

Who you gonna call?

Not Ghostbusters.

But someone (or something) from your ladder of support.