Opinion ID: 1539570
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: 3 Red Oak Road Purchase

Text: 33. On May 27, 2005, on behalf of himself, the Respondent acted as the settlement agent for the purchase of 3 Red Oak Road, Wilmington, DE 19806 (the 3 Red Oak Road transaction) from seller Paula J. Malone for use as a personal residence. 34. As the settlement agent for this purchase transaction, the Respondent had a professional obligation to ensure that the transaction was appropriately documented, including by obtaining notarizations performed in accordance with proper legal procedures. 35. The mortgage for the 3 Red Oak Road transaction purports that the instrument was acknowledged before Ward and notarized by him on May 27, 2005. However, the Respondent signed this document outside of Ward's presence, and then provided it to another person along with a direction to obtain Ward's notarization.