A relative asks their notary family member to notarize a document where the relative is the signer and stands to benefit financially. What should the notary do?

CONFLICT OF INTEREST is a universal prohibition in notary law. Notaries must be DISINTERESTED PARTIES — they cannot notarize documents in which they have a direct financial interest or are a named party. This includes: being the grantor or grantee in a real estate deed; being a beneficiary in a will they are notarizing; having any ownership interest in the transaction; close family relationships where the notary benefits. The specific rules vary by state — some prohibit any notarization for family members; others prohibit only when the notary has a financial interest. The safest practice: never notarize any document where you have a personal stake, and refer family members to an independent notary for documents that affect your mutual interests.