Thrown Under the Bus:

When a Title Office Broke My Trust

When I first became a notary, I did what most people do—I started with signing services. It’s how I learned, how I paid my dues, and how I got my feet under me.

But within 30 days of launching JKC Mobile Notary, I landed my first direct title office relationship—a rare milestone for a brand-new notary. And one of the first offices to give me a shot didn’t just hire me—they welcomed me. They knew I was new. They still trained me. Encouraged me. Fed me work. I grew with them.

For three years, we worked together. It felt like a professional win, but also a personal connection. We built a rhythm, a routine, and a mutual trust.

Until one night, one signing, changed everything.

It was a routine appointment—except it wasn’t.

I had a signing with a young woman who lived almost an hour away. We sat down to go through the documents, but as we started reviewing the paperwork, her discomfort began to rise. Quiet at first, then more vocal. She was clearly upset. Eventually, she said out loud:

“I don’t want to sign this.”

That’s a line that brings any notary to a full stop.

I tried reaching the title officer. No answer. Tried again. Eventually, I got through, explained what was happening, and asked what they wanted me to do.

Their response:

“Just go ahead and leave.”

So I did. But then—just minutes later, as I sat in my car—they called me again.

“Actually, go back in and try again.”

Now, let’s pause here. If you’re a notary, you know how delicate this moment is. Legally and ethically, I cannot pressure a signer. I explained that to them. I agreed to knock on the door—not to push her, but to ask if she’d be willing to share her concerns so I could report them back.

I knocked. She answered. I calmly said:

“I understand you're uncomfortable. Can you tell me what your concerns are so I can relay them to title?”

She slammed the door in my face.

I called title again. No answer. I drove home. I emailed a summary of the incident that night.

And the next morning?

I got the email.

“Due to your negligent behavior, and because you almost cost us this transaction, we will no longer be using your notary services.”

No call. No conversation. No acknowledgment of the relationship we had built. Just like that—it was over.

I’ll be honest. It hurt.
I wanted to defend myself. I wanted to lay out every fact. I wanted to remind them of the hundreds of successful signings that came before this one.

But I didn’t.

Instead, I sent a polite, professional email thanking them for the opportunity and the experience.

And I never went back.

That was years ago, and I’ve never worked with that office again. I’m still connected to some of those folks on social media. But I’ve kept my distance professionally—for one simple reason:

If they could throw me under the bus that quickly, I can’t trust that they wouldn’t do it again.

Here’s what I want every notary reading this to understand:

You are not at the bottom of the real estate food chain.

You are not “just the notary.”
You are not disposable.
You are not powerless.

We are essential.
Without us, those documents don’t close. That refinance doesn’t fund. That couple doesn’t get their home. That investor doesn’t get their return.

And while we carry enormous responsibility, we’re often given very little power in return.

Sometimes, you’ll be the scapegoat.
Sometimes, you’ll be the fall guy.
Sometimes, someone will value their sale over your integrity.

Let them.

You don’t have to fight.
You don’t have to beg to stay.
You don’t have to keep yourself in rooms that don’t value you.

You can walk away with your head held high, knowing you did the right thing.

And I promise—the right clients will find you.

The ones who see your professionalism.
The ones who want integrity, not just convenience.
The ones who won’t throw you under the bus—but will walk beside you as partners.

Because you’re not at the bottom of anything.

You’re part of what makes this entire system work.
And don’t you forget it.