What must the heirs or legal representatives of a deceased notary do with the notarial journal?

The correct action that the heirs or legal representatives of a deceased notary must take is to return the notarial journal to the Attorney General. This requirement is in place to ensure that the records of notarial acts are preserved and can be accessed for verification or legal purposes. The notarial journal contains important documentation of transactions that were performed by the notary, which may be necessary for future legal references or to resolve any disputes that might arise involving the acts performed.

Returning the journal to the Attorney General helps maintain a centralized repository of official notarial records, thus ensuring the integrity and accountability of notarial acts within the community. This process also protects the interests of the public, as it allows for proper oversight of notarial practices.

In contrast, keeping the journal for personal use would lead to potential misuse or loss of important legal documents. Destroying it immediately would eliminate valuable historical records and could hinder legal processes. Handing it over to the local court does not align with the established protocol, as the Attorney General is specifically designated to manage these records. Thus, returning the notarial journal to the Attorney General aligns with proper legal and bureaucratic procedures following the death of a notary.