does the lawyer prepare the forms when filing a deed

by Timothy Nicolas 5 min read

The seller or the seller’s broker will hire an attorney to prepare the real estate deed to ensure that all of the requirements in the creation of a valid deed are met before the seller conveys title to the property, reveals National Paralegal College. All real estate deeds must be in writing.

Full Answer

Do you need an attorney to prepare a real estate deed?

Legal Description The seller or the seller’s broker will hire an attorney to prepare the real estate deed to ensure that all of the requirements in the creation of a valid deed are met before the seller conveys title to the property. All real estate deeds must be in writing.

What do you need to know about filing a deed?

How to File for a Property Deed. Deeds are signed and recorded documents that prove a legal right to a piece of property. The deed describes the property through a legal description of section, township and range. It identifies the grantor or seller and grantee or buyer. It is signed by witnesses and notarized.

Who prepares the real estate deed before closing on a house?

Before a home is closed on, the real estate deed is executed on behalf of the seller. The seller or the seller’s broker will hire an attorney to prepare the real estate deed to ensure that all of the requirements in the creation of a valid deed are met before the seller conveys title to the property, reveals National Paralegal College.

How do you transfer a house deed without a lawyer?

Wills, of course, are another way to transfer a deed, and a will can be written without a lawyer. A will is also a good way to pass a home on after death, to be sure an heir gets a stepped-up cost basis and receives a break on capital gains tax.

What does it mean to prepare a deed?

The seller makes sure the deed is prepared correctly, and the buyer ensures the deed gets recorded to take final and legal ownership of the home -- even if that's just confirming with the title company or attorney that the deed was recorded.

Who can prepare a deed in Florida?

A seller can allow a buyer's attorney to prepare the deed or the seller can retain a Daytona real estate attorney to represent the seller during the real estate closing process. All deeds executed in Florida must be signed in the presence of a notary public and two witnesses.

How do I file a deed in NY?

You can record property-related documents in person or online. To register a document, you must create a cover page in ACRIS, and submit document, supporting documents, and pay fees and taxes (if necessary). Learn more about recording documents, including required documentation and fees online.

How much does it cost to transfer a deed in NY?

The fees to file a New York quitclaim deed vary from county to county, but some of the fees are similar. As of 2018, the basic fee for filing a quitclaim deed of residential or farm property is $125, while the fee for all other property is $250.

Does an attorney have to prepare a deed in Florida?

You do not have to be an attorney to prepare a Florida quit claim deed. Without an attorney, your costs for the deed would only be the recording fees that the county comptroller charges.

How do I file a deed in Florida?

Florida Deed Requirements: Validity and RecordingThe deed must be in writing;The deed must be signed by the transferor (the current owner) of the property or his or her duly authorized agent or representative;The deed must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, each of whom must also sign the deed.

How long does it take to record a deed in NY?

two weeks to three monthsThis is called "recording" the deed. When done properly, a deed is recorded anywhere from two weeks to three months after closing.

Who signs a deed in NY?

Signing (N.Y. Real Prop. Law § 306) – All deeds are required to be signed with the Grantor(s) and a Notary Public (Grantee(s) not required to sign).

Does a deed need to be notarized in New York?

Most quitclaim deeds in New York require the grantor's signature. Some states also need the grantee to sign, but this is generally not the case in New York. Parties do not need witnesses to their signatures. A quitclaim deed does, however, need official notarization by a notary public.

How long does it take to transfer ownership of a property?

It usually takes four to six weeks to complete the legal processes involved in the transfer of title.

How do I transfer title on a house in NY?

In New York, a party must file a real property transfer form to effect a change in home ownership when a deed is filed. The deed is a separate document from the transfer form. Costs that must be paid include the real property transfer tax (RPTT) to the city and the New York state real estate transfer tax to the state.

Who pays the transfer tax in NY?

the sellerIn New York, the seller of the property is typically the individual responsible for paying the real estate transfer tax. However, if the seller doesn't pay or is exempt from the tax, the buyer must pay.

How to get a deed returned?

Receive the returned deed. After filling the property deed, the Recorder's Office will record and index the information on the deed. When this step is complete, the Recorder's Office will return the deed to the owner or if it was submitted by a title company, to the title company. It is the title company's responsibility to return the deed to its owner. Turn around time varies for each county office. Some offices return the deeds as quickly is a week later and others take longer to process and return.

What is a deed in real estate?

Deeds are signed and recorded documents that prove a legal right to a piece of property. The deed describes the property through a legal description of section, township and range. It identifies the grantor or seller and grantee or buyer. It is signed by witnesses and notarized.

Where is a deed recorded?

It is signed by witnesses and notarized. The deed is then recorded in a county office. Deeds are public records available for viewing by anyone. Each county office has slightly different filing procedures but overall the process remains the same.

Who can prepare a deed in New Jersey?

(The actual signature of the preparer was a requirement up until recently, but is no longer required.) Note that the Grantor may legally prepare his or her own deed, but only an attorney licensed in the State of New Jersey can prepare a deed for someone else. I am often told that the realtor or the title company is going to prepare the deed, but that cannot be true. What is probably happening is that the realtor or the title company is going to sub it out to an attorney they work with on a regular basis, and they will charge you for it.

What is the phone number for deed preparation?

We offer deed preparation services at a reasonable price. To get started, call 609-654-5489 .

What is a bargain deed?

That’s why it is also sometimes called a “Dollar Deed.”. A bargain and sale deed would be used for an arms length transaction between a seller and buyer.) The deed must be signed in ink by the Grantors in the presence of a notary public, with the Grantors’ names printed below the signatures.

How long does it take to get a deed back from the county clerk?

For the most part, the deeds are recorded fairly promptly, but take six to ten weeks to get back a recorded deed from the clerk’s office, so be patient.

How much does it cost to get a deed back?

You need to submit the original deed to the county clerk with the recording fee, which is $40 for the first page, and $10 for each additional page. Most counties also charge an additional $5.00 per document for the Homelessness Prevention Trust Fund. Camden and Middlesex Counties, for example. The county clerk’s office will mail the deed back to the Grantee when they get around to it. For the most part, the deeds are recorded fairly promptly, but take six to ten weeks to get back a recorded deed from the clerk’s office, so be patient.

What is the effective date of a deed?

The effective date of the transfer must be printed/handwritten on the first page. This will usually be the date the deed was signed, but does not have to be. Sometimes the deed is signed ahead of time, and delivered on another date. In that case, the date of delivery would be the effective date and should be the date on the first page of the deed.

How should a deed describe a property?

The deed really should describe the property by detailed metes and bounds, which are taken from a current survey of the property. Often, the person drafting the deed will use a short-cut and copy the legal description directly from the prior deed. This may or may not be a good idea depending on the circumstances.

How to get a copy of a deed to a house?

Retrieve your original deed. If you’ve misplaced your original deed, get a certified copy from the recorder of deeds in the county where the property is located. You’ll need to know the full name on the deed, the year the home was last bought, and its address. Expect to pay a fee for a copy of the deed.

What to do before transferring a warranty deed?

So, before transferring a general warranty deed, the owner has to resolve all mortgages, tax liens, judgment liens and other relevant debts and encumbrances. If you are transferring property under a general warranty or similar deed, it’s wise to seek professional assistance.

What is warranty deed?

The general warranty deed promises that no unmentioned lienholders exist who might have claims to the property; it means the owner is free to sell the home . Warranty deeds are used in “arm’s length” transactions — between people who don’t know each other apart from the real estate deal.

What is a quitclaim deed?

Quitclaim deeds are cost-effective tools for transferring interests in real property when there is no need for researched guarantees. Always consider potential tax implications before you decide to transfer real estate, including tax on the deed transfer itself.

What happens when you use a quit claim deed?

When you use a quitclaim deed to transfer property, you make no guarantees. Under a quitclaim deed, you transfer whatever interest you hold (if you do, in fact, hold any at all) to the other person. You’re not promising clear title. You’re not agreeing to protect the recipient from defects in the title that might become problems in the future.

Who signs a deed in Florida?

For an example, in Florida a grantor must sign the deed before a notary and two witnesses — who also sign in the notary’s presence. As you can see, a state and the counties will have specific requirements for the deed, which can include formatting, return addresses, the name of the deed preparer, and so forth. Step 5.

Do you have to sign a deed with a notary public?

As the grantor, you’ll need to sign the deed with a notary public, who will change a small fee. In some states the grantee may not need to sign, but the deed must be delivered to the grantee, and the grantee must accept the deed, or it’s not valid. (Yes, your intended recipient can refuse the deed .)

What is a deed in real estate?

A deed conveys the ownership of property from a grantor (seller) to a grantee (buyer). After completing, it is recorded in the local Registry of Deeds. Transferring the property may incur transfer taxes which must be paid at the time of recording to the clerk.

What is a general warranty deed?

General Warranty Deed – Guarantees title for the Grantor’s time on the Property (the Seller) and also during the time for all previous owners of the real estate (also known as ‘fee simple).

Can a tenant in common sell their property?

Tenants in Common – Spouses are allowed to sell their ownership interest without the approval of the other and if one (1) of the Spouses were to die the ownership of the property would transfer to the Heirs listed in their Last Will and Testament.

Can a tenant by the entirety be sold without the other's consent?

Tenants by the Entirety – Does not allow one (1) Spouse to sell their interest in the property without the other’s consent.

Who signs the deed to the property?

Both you and the seller will sign a deed showing you as the new owner of the property. The deed contains the legal description of the property, the name of the present owner the same way it appears on the current ownership deed and the name of the new owner (s). The title company's escrow agent notarizes everyone's signature and the title company couriers the deed to the county recorder's office where it gets recorded. You then are the official owner.

What is a deed of trust?

The Deed of Trust. If using lender financing to pay for the new home, you'll also sign a Deed of Trust that holds the property as security for the loan. The mortgage company usually prepares this deed as part of the loan package and delivers it to the title company for you to sign at closing.

How to transfer a title to your name?

A contract for sale with the property's owner is legally enforceable, but you're not the owner of record of the place until a deed showing the change gets filed with the county it's in. Once an escrow gets opened at the title company – usually by your Realtor acting on your behalf – the title company will run a title search to make sure the person you're buying it from has legal ownership. The company also checks that there are no liens or conflicts associated with the title before they can prepare the documents that will transfer it to your name.

What is a grant deed in California?

It grants an interest in the property to you from the former owner and can include exceptions such as an easement.

Where does the title company courier the deed?

The title company's escrow agent notarizes everyone's signature and the title company couriers the deed to the county recorder's office where it gets recorded.

Who is the trustee of a trust deed?

The title company is commonly the trustee to the deed and holds legal title to the property until the loan gets fully repaid. The lender, title agent and the borrower usually sign the trust deed.

What does a title company do?

Just like the name suggests, a title company has to do with making sure the title to a real estate property is legitimate and that there are no disputes to it . A title company also has escrow accounts that hold and disburse funds needed to change ownership and prepares all required documentation, including any pertinent deeds.

Do You Have To Be A Lawyer To Prepare A Deed

I'm a legal secretary currently employed in Indiana, I have 26 years of experience in Michigan and have personally prepared hundreds of Michigan deeds. My law firm has a client who has real estate in Michigan but is an Indiana resident. I need to find the statute that says you do not need to be a lawyer to prepare a deed.

Re: Do You Have To Be A Lawyer To Prepare A Deed

I can't speak for Michigan but here it is unlawful to prepare a deed unless you are the property owner.

Re: Do You Have To Be A Lawyer To Prepare A Deed

I would suspect writing a deed for another would fall under the practice of an attorney and writing one for another without being a licensed attorney would then be practicing law without a license. Now, when you say you prepare deeds for others, what exactly are you doing? Are you simply filling in blanks on a template or are you constructing the entire deed? Real estate agents have found there is a similar situation when it comes to buy/sell agreements.

Re: Do You Have To Be A Lawyer To Prepare A Deed

I'm a legal secretary currently employed in Indiana, I have 26 years of experience in Michigan and have personally prepared hundreds of Michigan deeds. My law firm has a client who has real estate in Michigan but is an Indiana resident. I need to find the statute that says you do not need to be a lawyer to prepare a deed.

Re: Do You Have To Be A Lawyer To Prepare A Deed

Would this also apply in Texas? I have someone who is purchasing two golf lots from me and it seems it would be a simple "Warranty Deed" transfer. I am sure I am abit naive concerning the situation, but how do other people have "sale by owner"? Do they do their own documents?

What counties in Texas can you record deeds?

Special Credentials: Can prepare and record deeds throughout Texas as well as provide local counsel for your clients in Jim Wells, Duval, Nueces, San Patricio, Brooks, Starr and Kleberg Counties.

Does a deed to a trust require a certificate of homestead in MA?

Comments: MA deeds into trust may also require the preparation of a Trustee's Certificate and a Declaration of Homestead, which is not included in the cost for the preparation of the deed. I am also available for ancillary probate and probate administration work in both MA and NH. Please contact me directly for more information.

What are the two types of deeds?

Two of the most common types of deeds are the warranty deed and the quitclaim deed. This article will explore the differences between warranty and quitclaim deeds, the elements of deeds in general, the necessity of having deeds notarized and recorded, and the elements of recordation. There are two types of warranty deeds: general and special.

What is the grantor's right to convey a deed?

First, the grantor warrants that the grantor is the lawful owner of an indefeasible interest in the estate at the time the deed is made and delivered and that the grantor has the right to convey the property. Second, the grantor warrants that the property is free from all encumbrances.

What is quit claim deed?

A deed in substantially the same form as that set forth in the statute, a quit claim deed conveys to the grantee and the grantee's heirs and assigns in fee all of the legal or equitable rights the grantor has in the property that existed at the time of the conveyance.

What is warranty deed?

Usually, the grantor warrants that he or she did nothing to impair title during the period the grantor held the title. While a special warranty deed may contain covenants of title, these covenants will usually cover only those claims arising by, through, or under the grantor. Quit Claim Deeds.

What is the meaning of "after acquired title" in a general warranty deed?

Under the doctrine of after-acquired title, if a grantor attempted to convey title to land that he or she did not in fact own, but later obtains the legal title to that property, the property is held in trust for the prior grantee , and the conveyance is treated as if the grantor owned the legal estate at the time of the conveyance.

What is warranty deed in Illinois?

There are two types of warranty deeds: general and special. Illinois statute 765 ILCS 5/9 sets forth a form for the general warranty deed. Deeds of conveyance made in substantially the same statutory form are deemed a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, the grantee's heirs and assigns, with covenants on the part of the grantor unless the deed contains words of limitation.

Is an unacknowledged deed self-proving?

That is, an unacknowledged deed is not self-proving. Courts will not accept that the signature on the deed is authentic without evidence to that effect. In addition, title insurers may refuse to rely upon an unacknowledged deed for the purpose of insuring that title is vested in the name of the grantee under the deed.

What is the final step in a corrective deed?

The final step is to add an explanation for the correction. This provides third parties with a simple statement of why the Corrective Deed is being filed. The explanation should describe the title of the prior document, information about where it was recorded, and the exact change. For example:

What is the first step in a deed change?

The first step is to change the title of the deed. This allows third parties—like title companies and lenders—to easily see that the document is being filed to correct a prior deed.

What is a Scrivener's affidavit?

What is a Scrivener’s Affidavit? Scrivener’s Affidavits are sworn statements by the person who drafted a deed. Unlike a Corrective Deed, a Scrivener’s Affidavit doesn’t correct anything. Instead, it simply adds information to the property records to help clarify something about the prior deed.

When was the Quitclaim Deed recorded?

The legal description in the Quitclaim Deed recorded on January 27, 2015, inaccurately stated that the Pat B. Harris Survey was recorded in Book 192 when it is actually recorded in Book 162. This statement clarifies that you are only making a correction and not changing anything that would require the involvement of others.

What are some examples of mistakes in real estate?

They usually fall into one of two categories: Mistake in the Deed – For example, misspellings, errors in legal descriptions, taking title in the wrong name, or using wrong form of co-ownership.

Is John Doe the same as John Doe?

This creates ambiguity in the chain of title because title examiners do not know with certainty that “John Doe” and “J. Doe” are the same person. In this situation, the person who prepared the second deed may file a Scrivener’s Affidavit stating that “J. Doe is one and the same person as John Doe.”. This helps resolve the ambiguity in the title.

Does a corrective deed create a new interest?

Unlike other types of deeds that transfer interests in real estate, a Corrective Deed does not create a new interest. Instead, the Corrective Deed corrects the documents relating to the prior transfer of interest. Say, for example, that you sign and record a deed that has a misspelling in the legal description.