Opinion ID: 2625926
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: ¶ 25 We agree with the trial court that notaries public who acknowledge the execution of deeds to real property may be subscribing witnesses within the meaning of sections 57-2-10 and -14 of the Utah Code. However, we reverse the trial court's determination that Patricia Tunson, the acknowledging notary to the Zion Summit deeds, qualifies as a subscribing witness because we hold that a notary may only be a subscribing witness to a deed if she personally witnesses its execution, which Tunson did not. As the record is devoid of a finding or sufficient evidence to determine whether the notaries to the remaining deeds personally witnessed their execution by the decedent, we remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. ¶ 26 Chief Justice DURHAM, Associate Chief Justice DURRANT, Justice RUSSON, and Judge GREENWOOD concur in Justice WILKINS' opinion. ¶ 27 Justice HOWE did not participate herein; Court of Appeals Judge PAMELA T. GREENWOOD sat.