ÿWPCì `›<>ü^øÜOF·î‚Ê6 ¦÷º‚à¼Þ›UFb"¯ÝÆ-wë³rö¡Ìþˆ&Uìe/i,­ßbõ¦’à8µ˜¥§.2±½¡‘ø’íÑ;¼Í7A-HY š’~ÿmëér“Û?h¥µ—ФkÆ\!ÒŒ“—óâ^¼ø>ÊÏŸ,V¾!à4“<È–„/V¿—òÐ [>P2"Mš€î·ƒ;lÜ(ö™$oäXi™Ä®)ìÏ΋JA5©ÐåÃaí ³$T±íûíAñê bžð$~Ñ÷.;ûôçí»OþElS=þgz?²‹&ËÔÓ úpàù{Þ‰#‘ß+º>`à`Ï#­€ëë7Ãw˜ƒßãAކ}ã‹¢ït“šúÔvBDÈ€„ô•±¾Ðd ¡"¢ö?¼ >öða‹q´Ôæí`‡w©®)[eAuð]óŒ¥UŸ–Ãf檦͋ÑB–¬Â(Õh­iA_3z>í\&·~'šààÕØD$hž}ë³£ â vÞP¯$×. Bô«lÕ»º4±PÀ³ñøõÛ)š€ºÀ[Á©ÒìX·¸*h¨Ù”vt4¼K«AŸ:k›òAóõb#Á\ % U@# 0ˆc UNë ^ 9 wE zI Òà 4• © ¸ mº ÆÑ Æ— Æ] Æ# 0DéN-UN/}E……Z‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡báááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá 0ëéééé BÔÔ 0¤ñ D3• D-È 0Kõõ AS@Æ“ 0¤Y 0Dý A«A˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularr€a-s  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptš‚,-üFWbk$QV3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular  PÝ ƒR#¤$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôð ðThe€Supreme€Court€may,€at€its€discretion,€answer€questions€of€law€certified€to€it€by€the€Supreme€Court€of€theÐ ° ÐUnited€States,€a€Court€of€Appeals€of€the€United€States,€a€District€Court€of€the€United€States€in€Tennessee,€or€a€UnitedÐ tÄ ÐStates€Bankruptcy€Court€in€Tennessee.€€This€rule€may€be€invoked€when€the€certifying€court€determines€that,€in€aÐ 8ˆ Ðproceeding€before€it,€there€are€questions€of€law€of€this€state€which€will€be€determinative€of€the€cause€and€as€to€which€itÐ üL Ðappears€to€the€certifying€court€there€is€no€controlling€precedent€in€the€decisions€of€the€Supreme€Court€of€Tennessee.ðð€Ð À ÐTenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€23,€ðð1.€- ù-(|G2#¤$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€WU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»Ô d(|3ÉY$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€WU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ÉY$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€WU»»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€WU»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÓ0°„XŒ ¸ ‡XLxƒX°œX0ÓÑ  ÑÔ€¼WU»»»ÔÑ8€ ¹XXdì»»d8Ñà@™ ™ ìàÔ‡îKäWUÔIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼WU»îîKä<#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓSeptember€5,€2002€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X ¹X»¼WUÔÓ  ÓÌÓBÓò òÔ#†¼WU»XX ¹##ÔIN€RE€RONALD€Ô_ÔLEBRONÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔAKINSÔ_Ô,€SR.Ô‡X ¹X»¼WUÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òRule€23€Certified€Question€of€LawÔ#†¼WU»XX ¹ã#ÔÔ‡X ¹X»¼WUÔÐ ú J ÐUnited€States€Bankruptcy€Court€for€the€Eastern€District€of€TennesseeÔ#†¼WU»XX ¹t#ÔÔ‡X ¹X»¼WUÔÐ æ 6 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€01„13388€€€€€€John€C.€Cook,€JudgeÔ#†¼WU»XX ¹#ÔÔ‡X ¹X»¼WUÔÐ Ò " ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<•` AßÐ –æ  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2002„00337„SC„R23„CQ€„€Filed€November€1,€Ô_Ô2002Ô_ÔÐ ‘á  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<h` AßÐ i¹  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X ¹XXX ¹ÔÔ#†¼WU»XX ¹#ÔÔ€X ¹X»¼WUÔPursuant€to€Rule€23€of€the€Supreme€Court€of€Tennessee,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€this€Court€accepted€certification€of€theÐ d´ Ðfollowing€questions€from€the€United€States€Bankruptcy€Court€for€the€Eastern€District€of€Tennessee,Ð P  ÐSouthern€Division:Ð <Œ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Whether€the€following€acknowledgment€on€a€deed€of€trust€is€validÐ d Ðunder€Tennessee€law:ÐP` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàState€of€TennesseeÐØ(Œ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàCounty€of€BradleyÐÄŒ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàI,€Tammy€Bentley,€a€Notary€Public€of€the€county€and€stateÐ œì Ðfirst€above€written,€do€hereby€certify€that€Ronald€L.€Ô_ÔAkinsÔ_Ô,Ð ˆØ Ðunmarried,€personally€appeared€before€me€this€day€andÐ tÄ Ðacknowledged€the€execution€of€the€foregoing€instrument.€Ð`°Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàWitness€my€hand€and€official€seal,€this€12th€day€of€April,Ð 8!ˆ  Ð2000.Ð$"t!Œ LŒ L ÐÌÔ& Ä Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà//s//€Tammy€BentleyÐü#L#Œ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàNotary€PublicÐè$8 $Œ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàMy€commission€expires:€2/26/2003Ô'Ä$*— ÔÐÔ%$!%Œ LŒ L Ðâ âÐ À&"&ýÿ ÐÔ_Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€If€the€foregoing€certificate€of€acknowledgment€is€not€valid,€thenÐ ° Ðâ âwhether€the€admittedly€valid€acknowledgment€on€the€assignment€ofÐ œì Ðrents€cures€the€defective€acknowledgment€on€the€deed€of€trust€underÐ ˆØ Ðthe€circumstances€of€this€case.ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌWe€hold€that€the€deed€of€trust€in€this€case€was€properly€acknowledged€under€Tennessee€law€and€isÐ L œ Ðnot€voidable€by€a€judicial€lien€creditor€or€a€bona€fide€purchaser€for€valueÔ#†X ¹XXX ¹#Ô.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÓÓÌò òÔ‡X ¹XXX ¹ÔTennessee€Sup.€Ct.€R.€23€Certified€Question€of€LawÔ#†X ¹XXX ¹Ÿ#Ôó óÐ  ` ÐÌòòÓ  ÓJanice€M.€Holder,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòFrank€F.€Drowota,€III,€C.J.,óóÐ è 8  Ðand€òòE.€Riley€Anderson,€Adolpho€A.€Birch,€Jr.,€óóandòò€William€M.€Barker,€JJóó,€joined.Ð Ô$  ÐÌLinda€W.€Knight,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Community€Trust€&€Banking€Company.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌChristopher€Todd€Ô_ÔVarnerÔ_Ô€and€Richard€P.€Ô_ÔJahnÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Chattanooga,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellee,€RichardÐ „Ô  ÐP.€Ô_ÔJahnÔ_Ô,€Jr.Ð pÀ ÐÌAmy€Pierce€and€B.€Anthony€Saunders,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€amicus€curiae,€TennesseeÐ H˜ ÐBankers€Association.Ð 4„ ÐÓ/ÓÓ  ÓÌÔ  Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ  \ ÐÌà@VVìàòòFactual€and€Procedural€BackgroundóóˆÐ ä4 ÐÌà  àThis€matter€arises€from€a€federal€bankruptcy€proceeding.€€The€debtor€in€the€bankruptcyÐ ¼  Ðproceeding,€Ronald€L.€Ô_ÔAkinsÔ_Ô,€Sr.,€filed€a€voluntary€petition€for€Bankruptcy€under€Chapter€7€of€theÐ ¨ø ÐUnited€States€Bankruptcy€Code€on€May€25,€2000.€€In€his€capacity€as€appointed€bankruptcy€trustee,Ð ”ä ÐRichard€P.€Ô_ÔJahnÔ_Ô,€Jr.€filed€an€adversary€proceeding€seeking€to€set€aside€a€deed€of€trust€executed€by€Mr.Ð €Ð ÐÔ_ÔAkinsÔ_Ô€on€April€12,€Ô_Ô2000.Ô_Ô€€The€defendant€in€the€adversary€proceeding,€Community€Trust€&€BankingÐ l¼ ÐCompany€(ð ðÔ_ÔCTBÔ_Ôðð),€is€the€beneficiary€of€the€deed€of€trust€at€issue.€€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔCTBÔ_Ô€made€a€loan€of€$175,000€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔAkinsÔ_Ô€in€April€of€2000.€€On€April€24,€2000,€a€deed€ofÐ 0"€  Ðtrust€was€recorded€in€the€Office€of€the€Register€of€Deeds€of€Ô_ÔMeigsÔ_Ô€County,€Tennessee,€securingÐ #l! Ðpayment€of€the€$175,000€note.€€The€clause€acknowledging€Mr.€Ô_ÔAkinsÔ_Ôðð€signature€on€the€deed€of€trustÐ $X" Ðreads€as€follows:Ð ô$D # ÐÌÔ& Ä Ôà8  àà ` àState€of€TennesseeÐÌ&"%Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àCounty€of€Bradleyи'#&` x` x ÐÔ'ÄÌ&:ÔÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI,€Tammy€Bentley,€a€Notary€Public€of€the€county€and€state€first€aboveÐ )à$( Ðâ âwritten,€do€hereby€certify€that€Ronald€L.€Ô_ÔAkinsÔ_Ô,€unmarried,€personallyÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ_Ôappeared€before€me€this€day€and€acknowledged€the€execution€of€theÐ ° Ðforegoing€instrument.€ò òМì` x` x Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àó óWitness€my€hand€and€official€seal,€this€12th€day€of€April,€2000.ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌÔ& ° Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à//s//€Tammy€BentleyÐL œ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àNotary€PublicÐ8 ˆ` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMy€commission€expires:€2/26/2003Ð$ t` x` x ÐÔ'°L ÔÌTo€further€secure€the€loan,€Mr.€Akins€also€executed€a€Collateral€Assignment€of€Rents€in€favor€ofÐ ü L  ÐCTB.€€This€document€was€executed€before€the€same€notary€public€on€the€same€date€as€the€deed€ofÐ è 8  Ðtrust€and€was€also€recorded€on€the€same€date€as€the€deed€of€trust.€€The€acknowledgment€on€theÐ Ô$  Ðassignment€of€rents€reads€as€follows:Ð À  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àBefore€me€personally€appeared€Ronald€L.€Akins,€òòunmarriedóó,€òòto€meÐ ˜è  Ðknown€to€be€the€person(s)€described€in€and€who€executed€theÐ „Ô  Ðforegoing€instrumentóó,€and€acknowledged€the€execution€of€the€sameÐ pÀ Ðas€his€free€act€and€deed€for€the€purposes€therein€contained.Ð\¬` x` x ÐÌ(emphasis€added).€€The€Trustee€does€not€dispute€the€validity€of€the€assignment€of€rents€or€itsÐ 4„ Ðacknowledgment.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àThe€Trustee€seeks€to€avoid€the€lien€under€the€deed€of€trust€of€which€CTB€is€the€beneficiaryÐ øH Ðon€the€grounds€that€its€certificate€of€acknowledgment€is€invalid.€€Specifically,€the€Trustee€argues€thatÐ ä4 Ðbecause€the€certificate€does€not€adequately€demonstrate€the€notaryððs€knowledge€of€the€identity€of€theÐ Ð  Ðperson€appearing€before€her,€the€deed€of€trust€is€void.€€Both€parties€filed€motions€for€partial€summaryÐ ¼  Ðjudgment.€€In€connection€with€these€motions,€we€accepted€the€aforementioned€questions€of€law€fromÐ ¨ø Ðthe€United€States€Bankruptcy€Court€for€the€Eastern€District€of€Tennessee,€Southern€Division.€ò òó óÐ ”ä ÐÌà  àFor€the€following€reasons,€we€hold€that€the€deed€of€trust€was€properly€acknowledged€underÐ l¼ ÐTennessee€law€and€is€not€voidable€by€a€judicial€lien€creditor€or€a€bona€fide€purchaser€without€notice.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÔ  Ôà@òò&ìàò òANALYSISó óˆÐ 0"€  ÐòòÌà@ÍÍìàI.€€First€Certified€QuestionóóˆÐ $X" ÐÌà  àChapter€22€of€Title€66€of€the€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€governs€the€acknowledgment€ofÐ à%0!$ Ðinstruments.€€Forms€of€certificates€of€acknowledgment€for€cases€in€which€an€individual€signs€a€deedÐ Ì&"% Ðof€trust€on€his€or€her€own€behalf€are€set€forth€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sections€66-22-107(a)-(b)Ð ¸'#& Ðand€66-22-114(a).€€Section€66-22-107€includes€the€following:Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àa)€If€the€acknowledgment€is€made€before€a€county€clerk€or€deputy,€orÐ |*Ì%) Ðclerk€and€master,€or€notary€public,€or€before€any€of€the€officers€out€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€state€who€are€commissioned€or€accredited€to€act€at€the€placeÐ ° Ðwhere€the€acknowledgment€is€taken,€and€having€an€official€seal,€viz:Ð œì Ðthose€named€in€ðððð€66-22-103€and€66-22-104,€and,€also,€any€consularÐ ˆØ Ðofficer€of€the€United€States€having€an€official€seal,€such€officer€shallÐ tÄ Ðwrite€upon€or€annex€to€the€instrument€the€following€certificate,€inÐ `° Ðwhich€the€officer€shall€set€forth€such€officer's€official€capacity:ÐL œ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàState€of€Tennessee€€€€)Ð$ tŒ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàCounty€of€________€)Ð `Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàPersonally€appeared€before€me,€(name€of€clerk€or€deputy)Ð è 8  Ðclerk€(or€deputy€clerk)€of€this€county,€(bargainor's€name),€theÐ Ô$  Ðwithin€named€bargainor,€òòwith€whom€I€am€personallyÐ À  Ðacquainted€(or€proved€to€me€on€the€basis€of€satisfactoryÐ ¬ü  Ðevidence)óó,€and€who€acknowledged€that€such€person€executedÐ ˜è  Ðthe€within€instrument€for€the€purposes€therein€contained.Ð„Ô Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàWitness€my€hand,€at€office,€this€___€day€of€___,€19__.Ð\¬Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€Or,€in€the€alternative,€the€following€certificate,€in€case€of€naturalÐ 4„ Ðpersons€acting€in€their€own€right:Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàState€of€Tennessee€€€€)ÐøHŒ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàCounty€of€________€)Ðä4Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàOn€this€___€day€of€__________,€19€___,€before€me€personallyÐ ¼  Ðappeared€__________,€òòto€me€known€to€be€the€person€(orÐ ¨ø Ðpersons)€described€in€and€who€executed€the€foregoingÐ ”ä Ðinstrumentóó,€and€acknowledged€that€such€person€(or€persons)Ð €Ð Ðexecuted€the€same€as€such€person€(or€person's)€free€act€andÐ l¼ Ðdeed.ÐX ¨Œ LŒ L ÐÌ(emphasis€added).€€Section€66-22-114(a),€which€contains€an€alternative€ð ðuniversalðð€form€ofÐ 0"€  Ðcertificate€of€acknowledgment,€states:Ð #l! ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€the€acknowledgment€be€made€before€any€of€the€officers€who€areÐ ô$D # Ðauthorized€to€take€such€acknowledgment€under€the€provisions€of€thisÐ à%0!$ Ðchapter€or€any€consular€officer€of€the€United€States€having€an€officialÐ Ì&"% Ðseal,€such€officer€shall€write€upon€or€annex€to€the€instrument€aÐ ¸'#& Ðcertificate€of€acknowledgment.€The€following€form€shall€constituteÐ ¤(ô#' Ða€valid€certificate€of€acknowledgment:Ð)à$(` x` x Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) ÐÔ  Ôâ âà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàState€of€___________€€)аŒ LŒ L Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàCounty€of€__________€)ÐœìŒ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàPersonally€appeared€before€me,€(name€of€officer),€(officialÐ tÄ Ðcapacity€of€officer),€(name€of€the€natural€person€executing€theÐ `° Ðinstrument),€òòwith€whom€I€am€personally€acquaintedóó,€and€whoÐ L œ Ðacknowledged€that€such€person€executed€the€withinÐ 8 ˆ Ðinstrument€for€the€purposes€therein€contained€(the€followingÐ $ t Ðto€be€included€only€where€the€natural€person€is€executing€asÐ  ` Ðagent),€and€who€further€acknowledged€that€such€person€is€theÐ ü L  Ð(identification€of€the€agency€position€of€the€natural€personÐ è 8  Ðexecuting€the€instrument,€such€as€"attorney„in„fact"€orÐ Ô$  Ð"president"€or€"general€partner")€of€the€maker€or€a€constituentÐ À  Ðof€the€maker€and€is€authorized€by€the€maker€or€by€itsÐ ¬ü  Ðconstituent,€the€constituent€being€authorized€by€the€maker,€toÐ ˜è  Ðexecute€this€instrument€on€behalf€of€the€maker.Ð„Ô Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xàWitness€my€hand,€at€office,€this€___€day€of€___,€19___.Ð\¬Œ LŒ L ÐÌ(emphasis€added).€€Missing€from€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€on€the€deed€of€trust€in€this€caseÐ 4„ Ðis€any€prescribed€language€indicating€the€notaryððs€familiarity€with€the€individual€who€assigned€theÐ  p Ðdeed€of€trust,€Ronald€L.€Akins.€€A€deed€of€trust€that€is€not€properly€acknowledged€is€ð ðnull€and€voidÐ  \ Ðas€to€existing€or€subsequent€creditors€of,€or€bona€fide€purchasers€from,€the€makers€without€notice.ðð€Ð øH ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€66-26-103€(1993);€òòLimor€v.€Fleet€Mortg.€Group€(In€re€Marsh)óó,€12€S.W.3d€449,Ð ä4 Ð454€(Tenn.€2000).€€Thus,€the€issue€is€whether€the€omission€of€the€prescribed€words€on€the€deed€ofÐ Ð  Ðtrustððs€certificate€of€acknowledgment€allows€the€Trustee€to€avoid€CTBððs€liens.€Ð ¼  ÐÌÔ  Ôà@YYìàòòStatutory€ConstructionóóˆÐ ”ä ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-26-113€and€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ l¼ Ð66-22-114(b)€currently€address€how€to€determine€the€validity€of€a€certificate€of€acknowledgment€thatÐ X ¨ Ðdoes€not€follow€one€of€the€aforementioned€statutorily€prescribed€forms.€€Section€66-26-113€statesÐ D!” Ðthe€ð ðsubstantial€complianceðð€test:Ð 0"€  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€unintentional€omission€by€the€clerk€or€other€officer€of€any€wordsÐ $X" Ðin€a€certificate€of€an€acknowledgment,€or€probate€of€any€deed€or€otherÐ ô$D # Ðinstrument,€shall€in€nowise€vitiate€the€validity€of€such€deed,€but€theÐ à%0!$ Ðsame€shall€be€good€and€valid€to€all€intents€and€purposes,€òòif€theÐ Ì&"% Ðsubstance€of€the€authentication€required€by€law€is€in€the€certificateóó.и'#&` x` x ÐÌ(emphasis€added).€€A€predecessor€of€this€statute,€with€substantially€the€same€language,€was€firstÐ )à$( Ðenacted€in€1845.€€In€1987,€the€General€Assembly€added€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ |*Ì%) Ð66-22-114(b),€which€states€the€ð ðintentðð€test:Ð h+¸&* Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAny€certificate€òòclearly€evidencing€intent€to€authenticate,€acknowledgeÐ ° Ðor€verify€a€document€shall€constitute€a€valid€certificate€ofÐ œì Ðacknowledgment€for€purposes€of€this€chapteróó€and€for€any€otherÐ ˆØ Ðpurpose€for€which€such€certificate€may€be€used€under€the€law.€òòIt€is€theÐ tÄ Ðlegislative€intent€that€no€specific€form€or€wording€be€required€in€suchÐ `° Ðcertificate€and€that€the€ownership€of€property,€or€the€determination€ofÐ L œ Ðany€other€right€or€obligation,€shall€not€be€affected€by€the€inclusion€orÐ 8 ˆ Ðomission€of€any€specific€wordsóó.Ð$ t` x` x ÐÌ(emphasis€added).€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€does€not€contain€any€provisionÐ ü L  Ðthat€repeals€section€66-26-113.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àStatutes€addressing€the€same€subject€must€be€construed€in€connection€with€all€others€on€theÐ À  Ðsame€subject.€€òòSeeóó€òòBlack€v.€Stateóó,€290€S.W.€20,€21€(Tenn.€1927);€òòFaulkner€v.€Nashvilleóó,€285€S.W.Ð ¬ü  Ð39,€42€(Tenn.€1926).€€Furthermore,€this€Court€must€interpret€statutes€on€the€same€subject€so€that€theyÐ ˜è  Ðoperate€in€harmony,€not€in€conflict€with€each€other.€€òòSeeóó€òòParkridge€Hospital,€Inc.€v.€Woodsóó,€561Ð „Ô  ÐS.W.2d€754,€755€(Tenn.€1978).€€Finally,€the€legislature€is€presumed€to€know€of€its€prior€enactments.€Ð pÀ ÐòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Hicksóó,€55€S.W.3d€515,€523€(Tenn.€2001)€(citations€omitted).€€Consequently,€courtsÐ \¬ Ðshould€find€repeals€by€implication€only€when€statutes€cannot€be€construed€harmoniously.€€òòSeeóó€òòid.óóÐ H˜ ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€the€two€statutes€at€issue€reasonably€can€be€construed€so€as€to€give€effect€to€each.€Ð  p ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-113€addresses€the€unintentional€omission€of€words€by€theÐ  \ Ðofficer€taking€an€acknowledgment€while€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€addressesÐ øH Ðthe€intent€of€the€person€signing€a€document€to€properly€acknowledge€his€or€her€signature.€€AlthoughÐ ä4 Ðthe€two€statutes€are€different,€they€are€not€necessarily€inconsistent.€€Both€statutes€in€this€case€areÐ Ð  Ðð ðsavings€statutes.ðð€€They€can€be€interpreted€as€simply€providing€alternative€ways€in€which€aÐ ¼  Ðcertificate€of€acknowledgment€that€does€not€follow€a€prescribed€form€may€be€found€to€be€valid.€€TheÐ ¨ø Ðacknowledgment€on€the€deed€of€trust€in€this€case€does€not€contain€the€prescribed€words€ð ðòòóówith€whomÐ ”ä ÐI€am€personally€acquainted€(or€proved€to€me€on€the€basis€of€satisfactory€evidence)ðð€or€ð ðòòóóto€me€knownÐ €Ð Ðto€be€the€person€(or€persons)€described€in€and€who€executed€the€foregoing€instrument.ðð€€Thus,€weÐ l¼ Ðmay€look€to€either€of€these€two€statutes€to€determine€the€validity€of€the€acknowledgment.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÔ  Ôà@ÁÁ ìàòòTennessee€Code€Annotated€Section€66-26-113:€Substantial€ComplianceóóòòóóˆÐ 0"€  ÐÌà  àTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-26-113€codifies€the€ð ðsubstantial€complianceðð€test.€Ð $X" ÐPrior€to€the€enactment€of€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b),€the€use€of€statutorilyÐ ô$D # Ðprescribed€ð ðmagic€wordsðð€was€found€to€be€practically€indispensable.€€Sòòóóubstantial€compliance€wasÐ à%0!$ Ðfound€lacking€in€numerous€cases€in€which€a€certificate€of€acknowledgment€failed€to€state€that€theÐ Ì&"% Ðnotary€public€was€ð ðpersonally€acquaintedðð€with€the€acknowledging€party€or€to€include€words€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðwere€functionally€equivalent.€€òòSee,óó€òòe.góó.,€òòMcAllester€v.€Aldridge€(In€re€Anderson)óó,€30€B.R.€995Ð ¤(ô#' Ð(Bankr.€M.D.€Tenn.€1983);€òòIn€re€Airport„81€Nursing€Care,€Inc.óó,€29€B.R.€501€(Bankr.€E.D.€Tenn.Ð )à$( Ð1983)òòóó;€òòJefferson€County€Bank€v.€Haleóó,€280€S.W.€408€(Tenn.€1926);€òòFall€&€Cunningham€v.€Roperóó,Ð |*Ì%) Ð40€Tenn.€485€(1859);€òòJohnson€v.€Waltonóó,€33€Tenn.€258€(1853)òòóó;€òòSavings,€Bldg.,€&€Loan€Assððn€v.Ð h+¸&* ÐMcLainóó,€76€S.W.2d€650€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1934).€€In€òòCollins€v.€Binkleyóó,€this€Court€acknowledged€inÐ ° Ða€footnote€thatÐ œì ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[w]hile€no€question€has€been€raised€on€appeal€as€to€whether€theÐ tÄ Ðabsence€of€a€showing€of€the€acknowledging€officer's€personalÐ `° Ðacquaintance€with€the€grantor€renders€the€acknowledgement€[sic]Ð L œ Ðvoid,€it€has€been€held€in€numerous€cases€that€in€the€absence€of€suchÐ 8 ˆ Ða€showing,€the€acknowledgment€is€a€nullity€and€so€is€the€registrationÐ $ t Ðof€the€instrument.€E.g.,€òòòòóóFiguers€v.€Flyòòóó,óó€137€Tenn.€358,€193€S.W.€117Ð  ` Ð(1916);€òòòòóóBells€Administrators€v.€Lylesòòóó,óó€78€Tenn.€44€(1882);€òòòòóóHendersonÐ ü L  Ðv.€McGheeòòóó,óó€53€Tenn.€55€(1871);€òòòòóóHarrison€v.€Wadeòòóó,óó€43€Tenn.€505Ð è 8  Ð(1866).ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌ750€S.W.2d€737,€738€n.1€(Tenn.€1988).Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àThe€aforementioned€cases,€however,€do€not€construe€the€meaning€of€Tennessee€CodeÐ „Ô  ÐAnnotated€section€66-26-113€after€additions€to€the€statutes€governing€acknowledgments€in€1983.€Ð pÀ ÐIn€1983,€the€General€Assembly€relaxed€the€requirements€regarding€the€extent€of€a€notaryððsÐ \¬ Ðknowledge€of€the€identity€of€an€individual€who€purports€to€acknowledge€his€or€her€signature€on€anÐ H˜ Ðinstrument.€€Such€legislation€added€the€phrase€ð ð(or€proved€to€me€on€the€basis€of€satisfactoryÐ 4„ Ðevidence)ðð€after€the€words€ð ðwith€whom€I€am€personally€acquaintedðð€in€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ  p Ðsection€66-22-107(a).€€1983€Public€Acts,€Ch.€No.€158.€€This€legislation€also€added€subsections€(b)Ð  \ Ðand€(c)€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-106,€which€provide€as€follows:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€For€purposes€of€this€chapter,€"know"€or€"personally€acquaintedÐ Ð  Ðwith"€means€having€an€acquaintance,€derived€from€association€withÐ ¼  Ðthe€individual€in€relation€to€other€people€and€based€upon€a€chain€ofÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances€surrounding€the€individual,€which€establishes€theÐ ”ä Ðindividual's€identity€with€at€least€reasonable€certainty.€Ð€Ð` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)€For€the€purposes€of€this€chapter,€"satisfactory€evidence"€means€theÐ X ¨ Ðabsence€of€any€information,€evidence,€or€other€circumstances€whichÐ D!” Ðwould€lead€a€reasonable€person€to€believe€that€the€person€making€theÐ 0"€  Ðacknowledgment€is€not€the€individual€such€person€claims€to€be€andÐ #l! Ðany€one€(1)€of€the€following:€Ð$X"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€The€oath€or€affirmation€of€a€credible€witness€personally€known€toÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€officer€that€the€person€making€the€acknowledgment€is€personallyÐ Ì&"% Ðknown€to€the€witness.€Ð¸'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€Reasonable€reliance€on€the€presentation€to€the€officer€of€any€oneÐ )à$( Ðof€the€following,€if€the€document€is€current€or€has€been€issued€withinÐ |*Ì%) Ðfive€(5)€years:€Ðh+¸&*` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(A)€An€identification€card€or€driver's€license€issued€by€theÐ ° Ðdepartment€of€safety;€or€ÐœìŒ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(B)€A€passport€issued€by€the€United€States€department€ofÐ tÄ Ðstate.€Ð`°Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€Reasonable€reliance€on€the€presentation€of€any€one€(1)€of€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðfollowing,€if€the€document€is€current€or€has€been€issued€within€fiveÐ $ t Ð(5)€years€and€contains€a€photograph€and€description€of€the€personÐ  ` Ðnamed€on€it,€is€signed€by€the€person,€bears€a€serial€or€other€identifyingÐ ü L  Ðnumber,€and,€in€the€event€that€the€document€is€a€passport,€has€beenÐ è 8  Ðstamped€by€the€United€States€immigration€and€naturalization€service:€ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(A)€A€passport€issued€by€a€foreign€government;€Ð¬ü Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(B)€A€driver's€license€issued€by€a€state€other€than€Tennessee;€Ð„Ô Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(C)€An€identification€card€issued€by€a€state€other€thanÐ \¬ ÐTennessee;€or€ÐH˜Œ LŒ L ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8Œ ` x` xà(D)€An€identification€card€issued€by€any€branch€of€the€armedÐ  p Ðforces€of€the€United€States.€Ð \Œ LŒ L ÐÌòòòòóóóóThe€General€Assembly€also€added€subsection€(d)€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-106,Ð ä4 Ðwhich€says€ð ð[a]n€officer€who€has€taken€an€acknowledgment€pursuant€to€this€section€òòshall€beÐ Ð  Ðpresumed€to€have€operated€in€accordance€with€the€provisions€of€this€chapteróó.ðð€(emphasis€added).Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àIf€a€notary€does€not€know€an€individual€who€intends€to€acknowledge€a€document,€he€or€sheÐ ”ä Ðmust€verify€the€identity€of€that€person€by€one€of€several€methods€enumerated€in€Tennessee€CodeÐ €Ð ÐAnnotated€section€66-22-106(c).€€The€notary€in€this€case€could€not€properly€certify€that€Mr.€AkinsÐ l¼ Ðpersonally€appeared€before€her€and€made€the€necessary€acknowledgment€unless€she€knew€himÐ X ¨ Ðpersonally€or€he€proved€to€her€that€he€was€who€he€claimed€to€be.€€In€light€of€the€presumption€codifiedÐ D!” Ðin€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-106(d),€we€must€resolve€any€ambiguity€as€to€whetherÐ 0"€  Ðthe€notary€in€this€case€performed€her€duties€in€the€manner€prescribed€by€law€in€favor€of€the€regularityÐ #l! Ðof€the€notaryððs€act.€€While€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€on€the€deed€of€trust€in€this€case€doesÐ $X" Ðnot€include€a€recital€that€the€notary€personally€knew€the€person€who€executed€the€deed,€it€canÐ ô$D # Ðreasonably€be€inferred€that€Mr.€Akins€was€in€some€way€known€to€the€notary€because€she€includedÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€word€ð ðunmarriedðð€in€the€certificate.€€Therefore,€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€in€this€caseÐ Ì&"% Ðis€valid€because€it€satisfies€the€substantial€compliance€test.€Ð ¸'#& Ðâ âÐ ¤(ô#' ÐòòÔ  Ôâ âà@% % ìàTennessee€Code€Annotated€Section€66-22-114(b):€IntentóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àIn€addition€to€the€substantial€compliance€test,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ ˆØ Ð66-22-114(b)€sets€forth€the€independent€ð ðintentðð€test.€€Ó SÓTennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ tÄ Ð66-22-114(b)€requires€only€that€a€certificate€of€acknowledgment€clearly€evidence€the€signerððs€ð ðintentÐ `° Ðto€authenticate,€acknowledge€or€verify€a€document.ðð€€Despite€a€lack€of€language€evidencing€theÐ L œ Ðextent€of€the€notary€publicððs€knowledge€of€Mr.€Akinsðð€identity,€the€certificate€of€acknowledgmentÐ 8 ˆ Ðat€issue€in€this€case€clearly€shows€Ronald€L.€Akinsðð€intent€to€acknowledge€his€signature€on€the€deedÐ $ t Ðof€trust.€€The€notary€states€in€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€that€ð ðRonald€L.€Akins,€unmarried,Ð  ` Ðpersonally€appeared€before€me€this€day€and€acknowledged€execution€of€the€foregoing€instrument,ððÐ ü L  Ðand€on€the€deed€of€trust€itself€the€signature€of€Ronald€L.€Akins€appears€directly€above€a€signatureÐ è 8  Ðline,€below€which€are€typed€the€words,€ð ðRonald€L.€Akins,€unmarried.ðð€€Thus,€the€certificate€ofÐ Ô$  Ðacknowledgment€in€this€case€meets€the€ð ðintentðð€criterion€of€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ À  Ð66-22-114(b).€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àFurthermore,€the€ð ðintentðð€test€substantially€relaxes€the€pre„1987€requirements€for€certificatesÐ *z Ðof€acknowledgment€by€directing€that€they€be€liberally€construed.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€sectionÐ f Ð66-22-114(b)€explicitly€provides€that€ð ðno€specific€form€or€wordingðð€is€required€in€a€certificate€ofÐ R Ðacknowledgment.€€Thus,€it€is€no€longer€the€case€in€Tennessee€that€ð ð[t]he€language€[in€a€certificateÐ î> Ðof€acknowledgment]€is€prescribed€and€a€probating€officer€has€little€if€any€discretion€to€vary€the€formÐ Ú* Ðof€the€certificate.ðð€€òòMcAllester€v.€Aldridge€(In€re€Anderson)óó,€30€B.R.€995,€1001€(Bankr.€M.D.€Tenn.Ð Æ Ð1983)€(citations€omitted).€€Therefore,€consistent€with€the€clear€legislative€mandate€embodied€inÐ ² ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€that€ð ðno€specific€form€or€wordingðð€is€required€inÐ žî Ða€certificate€of€acknowledgment€and€that€ð ðthe€determination€of€any€other€right€or€obligation,€shallÐ ŠÚ Ðnot€be€affected€by€the€inclusion€or€omission€of€any€specific€words,ðð€we€find€that€the€certificate€ofÐ vÆ Ðacknowledgment€in€this€case€is€valid.€€In€so€holding,€we€give€effect€to€the€plain€language€ofÐ b² ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€and€avoid€exalting€form€over€substance.Ð Nž ÐÌà  àThe€law€remains€that€a€notary€must€verify€the€identity€of€a€person€appearing€before€him€orÐ Ì Ðher€to€acknowledge€a€document.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€66-22-106.€€However,€we€hold€that€underÐ ¸  ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€the€text€of€an€acknowledgment€need€not€explicitlyÐ ¤!ô Ðstate€that€this€function€was€performed.€€Of€course,€use€of€the€statutorily€prescribed€forms€is€preferred.€Ð "à ÐNonetheless,€if€an€individualððs€intent€to€acknowledge€the€document€he€or€she€signed€is€evident€inÐ |#Ì  Ðthe€certificate€of€acknowledgment,€then€the€exact€words€and€phrases€recited€in€the€statute€are€notÐ h$¸! Ðrequired.Ð T%¤ " ÐÌÔ  Ôà@??ìàòòII.€€Second€Certified€QuestionóóˆÐ Ò'"#$ ÐÌà  àAs€indicated€above,€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€in€this€case€is€valid.€€Consequently,Ð P* %& Ðwe€need€not€address€the€second€certified€question.€Ð <+Œ&' Їà@FF%ìàÔ  Ôò òòòCONCLUSIONó óóóˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àIn€response€to€the€first€certified€question,€we€conclude€that€the€certificate€of€acknowledgmentÐ .~ Ðin€this€case€is€valid€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-26-113€because€it€substantiallyÐ j Ðcomplies€with€the€relevant€statutory€requirements.€€Furthermore,€the€certificate€of€acknowledgmentÐ  V Ðin€this€case€meets€the€criterion€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€66-22-114(b)€in€that€it€clearlyÐ ò B Ðevidences€the€intent€of€the€maker€of€the€deed€of€trust€to€acknowledge€his€signature€on€the€instrument.€Ð Þ . ÐTherefore,€we€hold€that€the€deed€of€trust€was€properly€acknowledged€under€Tennessee€law€and€is€notÐ Ê  Ðvoidable€by€a€judicial€lien€creditor€or€a€bona€fide€purchaser€without€notice.€€Because€we€concludeÐ ¶  Ðthat€the€certificate€of€acknowledgment€in€this€case€is€valid,€we€need€not€address€the€second€certifiedÐ ¢ ò  Ðquestion.Ð ŽÞ  ÐÌà  àHaving€answered€the€certified€questions,€we€direct€the€Clerk€to€transmit€a€copy€of€thisÐ  \  Ðopinion€in€accordance€with€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€Rule€23(8).€€Costs€in€this€Court€are€taxed€toÐ øH  Ðthe€respondent,€Richard€P.€Jahn,€Jr.,€Trustee.Ð ä4 ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà Œ àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à___________________________________€Ð à0 Ðà  àà ` àà Œ àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àJANICE€M.€HOLDER,€JUSTICE