Alabama

The state of Alabama has made it legal for non-attorney to manage and be in control of closing transactions. However, they are limited in their role and involvement in other matters dictating the closing the process. The phrase non-attorneys encompasses terms such as the assistant to an attorney, other parties involved in the home buying process (such as title companies), etc.

So, for instance, title companies are enabled to generate title abstracts as well as be involved in issuing insurance. But what they cannot do is prepare legally binding documents or deeds. These parties are also allowed to act as advisors for the homeowner, describing all the necessary and legal documents required (by the homeowner) to be presented by your real estate attorney.

Delaware

In adherence to the decision taken in 2000 by the Delaware Supreme Court, non-attorneys do not have any power to and do not have any legal authorization for generating a real estate closing transaction or settlement. This means it is mandatory for you to have an attorney present to conduct the closing transaction.

The law of the land is also evident on the importance that real estate attorneys must adequately determine the legal description of the real estate. The description must be consistent with the homeowner’s mortgage and the deed. The attorney must also describe to the borrower, the specifications and terms of all the real estate documents. These include the mortgage, letter of first payment, TLD (Truth-in-Lending Disclosure), PUDR (Planned Unit Development Rider), etc.

Georgia

Being a sought-after retirement destination, it is essential for retirees as well as other buyers to know that it is mandatory to hire an attorney for the closing transaction. Your attorney will have the responsibility to gather all legal documents, the necessary paperwork, and make preparations for all facets that grant the homeowner legal rights. The attorney will also have a right to determine the validity and legitimacy of the property as well as the title to the property.

Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts places great emphasis on having an attorney for closing transactions on any real estate. The attorney is responsible not just for closing, but they are also required to be actively involved in the processes that need to be taken care of before and during the closing. Moreover, it is illegal for notaries to conduct the closings. Also, the attorney is also responsible for determining the adequacy of the title draft, doing the deeds, and managing the legal transfer of the property.

Non-attorneys, on the other hand, are only allowed to participate in clerical and administrative duties such as titling insurance, abstracts, etc.

New York

The state government of New York has made it mandatory for both the seller and the buyer to hire attorneys for the closing transaction. New York has very strict legal ramifications for the role of non-attorneys, which is all due to the New York Appellate Court ruling back in 2009. It is illegal for non-attorneys to be paid any form of commission or compensation for processes such as doing deeds, preparing mortgages, discharges, leases, and other dynamics involved.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, attorneys are given a bit more flexibility, and the same goes for non-attorneys when it comes to real estate closings. While non-attorneys do not have any legal right to authorize the closing, or to implement their opinions when you talk about the title of the property, the property’s legal status, or other related obligations, they do have the power to determine the authenticity and validity of all the documents in the process.

Plainly, they can dispense the closing of the property without the attorney being present. But they are not allowed to offer any sort of legal counsel.

South Carolina

Although South Carolina is a neighboring state, the rules are starkly different compared to North Carolina. The state has made it obligatory for the attorney to be involved from start to finish in the closing. They have to be present before and during the process. Even after the attorney authorizes and approves the deeds and other documents, it is illegal for him to have another party stand-in for the closing.

Buying a home may seem simple on the outside, but there are plenty of legal facets dictating the process you may not be aware of. And if you reside in any of these attorney states, it is necessary to hire a real estate lawyer to complete the closing.