Much like an escrow officer, a fee attorney can handle the work involved in closing a real estate transaction with additional benefits. Let me share with you how my team and I at The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm can help you with your next real estate closing or transaction.

A Fee Attorney Can Prepare Documents In-House

Realtors know from experience that closings can be held up because the lender or outsourced doc prep firm for the title agency did not prepare an important document in advance. Most often, this document is the deed itself, which is sometimes prepared by the lender’s attorney and sometimes by the doc prep firm on retainer by the title agency. A holdup at the closing table can cause sellers and buyers to sit at the closing table for what seems like hours, nervously waiting for something good to happen to speed up the closing.

Instead, you can rely on my team to save everyone precious time with document preparation that is done in-house and where all documents are carefully accounted for ahead of time.

A Fee Attorney Can Dispense Legal Advice

Escrow officers who don’t work within the structure of a fee attorney’s office might not have all of the right answers when a transaction turns complex in a legal sense. On the other hand, those that work at a fee attorney’s office have the option of consulting directly with an attorney to get guidance on execution and acceptance of powers of attorney, affidavits of heirship, and other vehicles for closing transactions in which parties on title are deceased or unavailable. At my office, I will be able to resolve even the most complicated issues that may arise. Other common complications include active probates, boundary line disputes, and unrecorded easements and my team and I will have you covered.

Fee Attorneys Can Represent a Party if Necessary

It may happen that issues can arise that require a buyer or seller to hire an attorney to represent them in a limited capacity. This is in addition to representation by a realtor. When that issue arises, it is far better to utilize the fee attorney involved, provided there is no conflict, and all parties agree to the limited representation. This option is generally less expensive than your client finding an outside attorney and limits the number of people whose involvement in the transaction is necessary. Starting in 2024, I am ready to help to negotiate or solve problems on your client’s behalf, giving realtors one less thing to worry about.

How does it work?

Whether your transaction requires a repair agreement, escrow holdback, or other customized document, closing with a fee attorney gives you assurance that an experienced attorney is on staff to draft whatever is required. These documents are available immediately and without fuss, since no outside doc prep firm needs to be contacted. If a lender’s document package comes in right before closing but missing a deed, the fee attorney can draft it immediately with no wait and no hassle. This means happy buyers and sellers – and more referral goodwill for the realtor! Plus, getting custom documents drafted is much easier when you close with a fee attorney rather than simply a title agency.

The benefits to using a fee attorney’s office, like The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm for your next closing are numerous, and our office is ready to help you in any way possible. The J.M. Dickerson Law Firm is an authorized closing office for Texas Lone Star Title. I also work with many realtors to facilitate smooth closings of their residential and commercial transactions. In addition, my office provides transactional document preparation and compliance guidance for sellers, buyers, investors, and lenders in the State of Texas. Contact us for more information in 2024 and we wish you a very happy new year!