• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Harlan Florence, Attorneys at Law

Real Estate Closing Attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia

  • COVID-19
  • Lenders
    • File Status
    • Request a Fee Sheet
    • Request a Title
    • Schedule Your Closing
    • Title Insurance Calculator
    • Lender FAQ
  • Agents
    • File Status
    • Request a Fee Sheet
    • Request a Title
    • Schedule Your Closing
    • Title Insurance Calculator
    • Agent FAQ
  • Investors
    • File Status
    • Request a Fee Sheet
    • Request a Title
    • Schedule Your Closing
    • Title Insurance Calculator
    • Investor FAQ
  • Buyers
    • File Status
    • Request a Fee Sheet
    • Title Insurance Calculator
    • Buyer FAQ
  • Sellers
    • File Status
    • Request a Fee Sheet
    • Seller FAQ
  • About
    • Attorneys and Support Staff
    • Practice Areas
    • Client Portfolio
    • ALTA Best Practices Policy
  • Contact
    • Driving Directions
    • Email Directory
    • Postclosing Requests

Can’t I just have all the closing documents emailed to me to sign in front of a notary?

Unfortunately, we can’t simply email closing documents for you to sign in front of a witness and a Notary Public. There are strict ethical requirements on how everything must be executed, and that means a Georgia licensed attorney must be physically present when all the papers are signed. Closings are considered the practice of law here in Georgia, and a lawyer has to be there when ink is put on paper.

So, what documents specifically require the physical presence of an attorney when signed? The Georgia Supreme Court lists a warranty deed, limited warranty deed, quitclaim deed, security deed, or deed to secure debt as all needing to be executed in front of a Georgia lawyer. If any of these are being signed, then it has to happen with a Georgia lawyer. Not only that, but the Court has consistently held that “it is the unauthorized practice of law for someone other than a duly-licensed Georgia attorney to close a real estate transaction or to prepare or facilitate the execution of such deed(s) for the benefit of a seller, borrower, or lender.” That means if a notary is getting a deed signed, they’re engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. That’s bad.

That said, there is an option if you’re not able to come to closing. You can possibly name an attorney-in-fact! If and whenever possible, we’d love to conduct your closing with someone here in our office who will sign all the papers for you. We’ll us do the work for you and you can stay home! Best of all, we never charge anyone for the service.

Even though we can’t just email documents for you to sign with a notary, we will happily work with you to find a way for your closing to happen as conveniently as possible!

Harlan and Associates is an Atlanta-based boutique law firm that believes there’s a better way to handle your real estate closing. We’d love to work with you. Contact us today, and let’s see what we can do together.

Photo by TJ Dragotta on Unsplash

Primary Sidebar

Request A Fee Sheet
harlan_florenceHarlan Florence@harlan_florence·
6 May

We're knocking off early today to celebrate 17 years of business. Catch ya back at it on Monday!

Reply on Twitter 1522614037271486466Retweet on Twitter 1522614037271486466Like on Twitter 1522614037271486466Twitter 1522614037271486466
harlan_florenceHarlan Florence@harlan_florence·
25 Apr

The answer is yes. https://harlanflorence.com/do-i-really-need-to-come-to-closing/

Reply on Twitter 1518644113545043973Retweet on Twitter 1518644113545043973Like on Twitter 1518644113545043973Twitter 1518644113545043973

harlanflorence

View

Mar 25

Open
Friday afternoon tunes.
1 0

harlanflorence

View

Feb 25

Open
Don't want to come to closing? Heard. Virtual closings are now cool  for another thirty days.
2 0

harlanflorence

View

Feb 21

Open
We're closed for Presidents Day. See you tomorrow!
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/616931/presidents-day-explained
1 0

harlanflorence

View

Feb 18

Open
Well, how about that. Now we're an award-winning law firm.
6 1

harlanflorence

View

Feb 4

Open
It’s that time again when we’ll be having weird sports in the lobby. By weird, we mean amazing. Enjoy the games!
3 0

harlanflorence

View

Jan 17

Open
We are closed today to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
2 0
Follow on Instagram

Footer

Would You Like To Know More?

Harlan Florence, Attorneys at Law. 5775 Glenridge Drive, Building B, Suite 550, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
T:770 817 1012 F:770 817 1013 W:www.harlanflorence.com (but you already know that, since you're here, right?)
Copyright 2005-2022, Harlan and Associates, LLC. Terms of Use.