Practice Area
Notarial Services
We are not a transactional firm. We are a relationship firm.
The Story
Notarial work operates quietly but consequentially. An antenuptial contract executed before a marriage protects both spouses for the life of that union. A notarial bond secures a creditor’s position over movable assets. A servitude registered over a property defines what a neighbour can and cannot do. A usufruct determines who may live in or use a property, and for how long. These instruments outlast the moments in which they are signed, and they demand precision.At Smith Bekwa, we bring the same attention to notarial work that we bring to everything else. We explain what each instrument means — in plain language — before it is executed, and we ensure that what is signed accurately reflects what our client intends.
What We Do
Notarial bonds — securing a lender’s interest over movable assets with legal certainty. Long leases — notarially executed lease agreements that are registrable against a property’s title. Usufructs — conferring the right of use and enjoyment of a property, most commonly in estate planning contexts. Servitudes — registering rights of way, access, or restriction over immovable property. Antenuptial contracts — protecting the estates of parties entering marriage, executed before the wedding and registered in the Deeds Office. Notarial certification and apostilles — authenticating documents for use in foreign jurisdictions, in accordance with the Hague Convention. Trusts — drafting trust deeds and providing legal support for the establishment and administration of inter vivos and testamentary trusts. Wills and estates — drafting of wills and the administration of deceased estates