A legal professional authorized to witness signatures on official documents, often called a notary public, plays a specific role in the context of marital dissolution paperwork. Their service involves verifying the identity of the signing party and attesting that the signature was made willingly. For example, an individual signing a settlement agreement may be required to have their signature notarized to confirm its authenticity.
This authentication process is essential to deter fraud and ensure the legal validity of the documents. The presence of a neutral third party strengthens the integrity of the process and helps prevent future disputes regarding the signatures legitimacy. Historically, this requirement stems from a need to provide reliable evidence of document execution, contributing to the enforceability of legal agreements.
