Speak Up! It’s Your Closing!
Your closing. Your choice.
Illinois law does not require that Buyers and Sellers of real estate involve a lawyer in real estate closings; however, most Buyers and Sellers in Illinois, hire attorneys to handle their closings.
Real estate Buyers and Sellers in Illinois typically select their own attorney’s, and the Seller’s Attorney acts as the Closing agent by preparing the Deed, Affidavit, Bill of Sale, and works with a Title Company to assist both the Buyer and Lender in procuring title insurance.
In Georgia, Georgia law requires that all Real Estate Closings be overseen by an Attorney.
In Georgia, there is generally only one attorney involved in the purchase and sale of real estate and that attorney represents the Buyer’s lender (if the purchase is lender-funded), or the Buyer (if it is a cash purchase).
Both Buyers and Sellers of real estate, in Georgia; however, should be aware that they can hire their own counsel (and should) to review all documents beforehand and to represent both the Buyers and Seller’s seperate interests at closing.
If you are buying or selling a home, in Georgia, and have gotten a loan for the purchase, you should be aware that the attorney who conducts the closing does not represent either you or the seller.
Instead, the closing attorney represents the lender. This means that only the lender’s interests are represented by the closing attorney. As a result, it is advisable for both buyers and sellers of real estate in Georgia, to hire their own counsel to review all documents and represent their interests at closing.