Deed Preperation Map
A deed is a legal document that conveys ownership of real property. Since doing legal work is generally restricted to lawyers, deeds also usually have to be prepared by attorneys or by the individual property owner. Anyone else preparing them is criminally guilty of unauthorized practice of law. Yet, while deeds have quite a bit of legal nuance, in practice they are generally one of a couple different forms with the party and property information changed. Given how often properties are sold and the routine nature of such deeds, many states allow non-attorneys to prepare them in certain situations to make home-buying cheaper. These exceptions are often restricted to standard real estate transaction situations. Charging for preparing a deed is still restricted to licensed attorneys.
Current as of 2025.
Sources
- Arkansas Judiciary Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law FAQ
- Conway-Bogue v. Bar Assn., 213 P.2d 998 (1957).
- Preferred Title Services, Inc. v. Seven Seas Resort Condo., Inc., 458 So. 2d 884 (1984).
- State Bar of Georgia Formal Advisory Opinion No. 2003-2.
- In re Matthews, 58 Idaho 772, 79 P.2d 535 (1938).
- State Ex Rel. Ind. Bar Assn. v. Ind. Re Assn., 191 N.E.2d 711 (1963).
- Iowa Court Rules, Rule 37.5
- Home Loans, Inc. v. Kentucky Bar Association, 113 S.W.3d 105 (2003).
- Ingham Co. Bar Ass'n. v. Neller Co., 69 N.W.2d 713 (1955).
- Cowern v. Nelson, 290 N.W. 795 (1940).
- Hulse v. Criger, 247 S.W.2d 855 (1952).
- Nebraska Supreme Court Rules § 3-1004
- N.J.S.A. 17:46B-13
- State Bar v. Guardian Abstract & Title Co., 575 P.2d 943 (1978); 47-1-44 NMSA 1978
- Matter of Easler, 272 S.E.2d 32 (1980).
- Tenn. Op. Att'y Gen. No. 07-88
- State ex rel. Reynolds v. Dinger, 109 N.W.2d 685 (1961).
The content on this site is my understanding of the law and does not constitute legal advice.