How much?

[Casey Grainger]

I'm a notary in TN and we can take depositions, administer oaths, take affidavits, make certificates, act as a commissioner to take testimony in court cases, etc...... The question is what do I charge to take a deposition, as a freelancer? Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Casey

[Judy]

Are you a trained steno or voice writer?

[Casey Grainger]

Voice writer :-)

[Judy]

Thanks goodness! I thought maybe you could go out with your notary and a legal pad and call yourself a reporter in TN.

I'm in CA so can't help, but hopefully somebody from TN will come along and give you the info you need.

Judy

[Casey Grainger]

As a Notary Public, being duly sworn in as an officer of the state of Tennessee and appointed by TN Governor Phil Bredesen and the Hamblen County Court Clerk Linda Wilder, I can serve the state in the following manner:
• Administer Oaths
• Take Affidavits
• Take renunciation and relinquishments of dower rights.
• Take acknowledgments of deeds, mortgages, bills-of-sale, satisfaction of mortgages and other instruments for record.
• Protest bill of exchange.
• Make protests for Captains of Vessels.
• Make protests of all papers to be protested, both for non-acceptance and nonpayment.
• Make certificates.
• Act as a commissioner to take testimony in court cases.
• Act as a Notary Public only in the state which you are authorized.
Under the Laws of Tennessee affecting Notaries Public: 8-16-302. Powers of notary public. - A notary public has the power to administer oaths, to take depositions, to qualify parties to bills in chancery, and to take affidavits, in all cases; and in all such cases the notary public's seal shall be affixed and the notary public shall sign such documents in ink by the notary's own hand. [Acts 1866-1867, ch. 46. � 3; Shan., � 3196; mod. Code 1932, � 5896; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), � 8-1620; Acts 1986, ch. 600, � 1.]

[Judy]

I'm only online while hubby is talking to his sister on the phone, so not a lot of time (hopefully), but I hope I didn't offend you by my comment. I was just commenting that in some areas if you buy a tape recorder, you can call yourself a court reporter. Personally, that's not my definition of a court reporter. Doesn't seem like it's your either. I was just hoping that you didn't get a notary's license and thought, "Wow, I can do depositions now!"

But I do have thoughts on what CA charges for depos. Not that that's going to do you any good, tho.

Yea, I hear him and he's getting off the phone. Bye!!!!

Judy

Oops, sound like his conversation is going in another direction so I might be here for a while (hmmmm).

[Casey Grainger]

Oh, no, you didn't offend me. I have only recently began to take interest in the taking of depositions as I have been scoping for a friend and figured, why not.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and am pursuing my MBA, which will be complete in February; after I obtain that, I am going to teach accounting.
I'm not looking to make the reporting thing a full time job, just for a while and to have some fun money! :-)
Do you have any ideas or advice on how I should go about getting my foot in to the attorney's door?

Thanks so much!
Casey

[Judy]

how I should go about getting my foot in to the attorney's door?

Word of mouth is the best approach, I feel. The large agencies use salespeople. Some of the larger agencies promise gift certificates or ipods, etc.

But you've got to be careful that your "new" client isn't somebody that's jumping around to a new reporter when his/her bills are getting old and the heat is being turned up. Unfortunately, that is one of the reasons why attorneys find "new" reporters to work with.

My suggestion to a reporter that's just starting in the field is to work for a CR firm that can train you properly and will pay you promptly. Try to stay away from agencies that pay you when they get paid.

[Casey Grainger]

Thanks Judy, good advice. There is only one firm where I live and I'm trying to get in touch with her but no success yet. I've been marketing myself to attorneys and hopefully that will help. Like I said, I am not doing this as a full time job but it is important to me and once I get a client or two, they will see how dedicated I am.

Thanks so much Judy!

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Someone said try to stay away from agencies that pay you when they get paid. DEFINITELY!!!