Parties to an action need to stop coming up with this u201cnotarized agreementu201d nonsense and use the Stipulation. When a judge exercises jurisdiction over the custody and control of a child, the judge controls, not the Parties.The closest Parties can get to having an agreement reduced to an enforceable order is by written Stipulation which must be filed and approved by the Court.An agreement between Parties stipulated to in writing can be produced to the Court, which will then review the agreement to ensure it is consistent with applicable law and approve it, or reject it as contrary to public policy (e.g. in a child custody matter, contrary to the best interests of the child.)Nanci Jean provides an excellent example as to why people canu2019t just u201cgive custodyu201d of children to other persons. Children arenu2019t property. Children arenu2019t slaves. Parents donu2019t own their children. Involving a notary doesnu2019t magically make this okay.