Unauthorized Practice of Law in Georgia
Contents
Overview
Sources
- O.C.G.A. § 15-19-51
- O.C.G.A. § 15-19-52
- O.C.G.A. § 15-19-53
Title Searching
Title Searches are not required to be done by or supervised by attorneys in Georgia.
Title Examination
Title Examinations is not required to be done by or supervised by attorneys in Georgia.
Attorney Title Certifications
Attorney Title Certifications are not required in Georgia.
Attorney Title Opinions
Attorney Title Opinions are not required in Georgia.
Document Preparation
Deeds, Security Deed, and other legal documents cannot be prepared by title insurance agents and must be prepared by a licensed Georgia attorney.
Closings and Escrow
Disbursement
Recording
Other
Attorneys are required to draft deeds, conduct the closing, and handle disbursements. Any attorney must draft the deed and attend the closing. I believe that disbursements can be supervised, but it has to go through the attorney’s accounts. Title Commitments and Policies can be prepared under the supervision of an attorney, but do not necessarily need to be done by employees of that attorney. In other words, a title agency can operate independently of a law firm, but they must have a GA attorney handle doc prep, the closings, and disbursements.
