A clear role for each member of your home-buying team
Michigan generally does not require an attorney to supervise a residential real estate closing. You can still hire your own lawyer to review documents and advise you about legal concerns. Your agent, lender, inspector, title company, and attorney perform different services.
Reviewed October 29, 2026. This guide explains questions to discuss with a Michigan real estate attorney when buying or selling in Farmington Hills, Novi, Northville, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, or elsewhere in Oakland County.
Do you need a real estate attorney in Michigan?
A Michigan Bar Journal discussion of residential transactions explains that Michigan does not require attorney supervision. That general rule does not answer whether your particular contract, ownership situation, or dispute needs legal review.
Consider asking a lawyer about unclear terms before signing. Bring questions about an estate or trust, divorce-related ownership, a land contract, an easement, a deposit dispute, or a threatened lawsuit to counsel promptly. The right scope of work depends on the actual transaction; hiring a lawyer does not guarantee a particular result or closing date.
What can an attorney review?
The State Bar of Michigan’s real estate consumer guide describes legal review of purchase documents and title issues. Examples to discuss include the property description, contingencies, ownership arrangements, recorded restrictions, and exceptions to title coverage.
Ask the attorney to identify what their engagement includes. A one-time contract review is different from ongoing representation through closing or a separate dispute. Confirm who is responsible for monitoring deadlines and when you should contact the attorney again if the documents change.
How the professionals work together
| Professional | Examples of their role |
|---|---|
| Your real estate agent | Market information, property search or marketing, negotiation support, and transaction coordination under your agreement. |
| Your attorney | Advice about your legal rights, document language, and legal problems within the agreed scope of representation. |
| Your lender | Mortgage qualification, financing conditions, and loan costs. |
| Title and settlement professionals | Title and closing services; ask exactly what services and insurance coverage are included. |
| Your inspector or surveyor | Property-condition or boundary work within the scope you hire them to perform. |
Tom Gilliam’s role as your REALTOR® complements these services. A real estate license does not authorize an agent to give legal advice. Questions about interpreting disputed rights or deciding on a legal remedy belong with your attorney.
Seller disclosures: check the applicable requirements
Michigan’s Seller Disclosure Act governs covered residential transfers. It includes delivery requirements and exceptions. For a covered sale, the statement generally must be delivered before the seller signs a binding purchase agreement. Do not assume every transfer has identical requirements.
If a disclosure is missing, incomplete, delivered late, or appears inconsistent with other information, ask an attorney how the law applies before making a decision. Disclosure statements and legal review do not replace a property inspection. Keep the disclosure, inspection findings, amendments, and relevant messages together so the professionals can review the same information.
Title questions and closing documents
If a title report identifies an old mortgage, a lien, or a recorded access agreement, ask the title company what must be addressed and ask your lawyer about the legal implications. Avoid assuming that every item automatically becomes your debt or that every concern can be resolved before the scheduled closing.
The CFPB’s closing-services guide explains that settlement arrangements vary and that you may be able to shop for providers. Request an itemized explanation of services and fees. Ask what your title policy covers and which exceptions remain.
How to choose and prepare for an attorney
- Ask about experience with your type of property and the specific issue you need reviewed.
- Request a written explanation of fees, scope, and response times; do not rely on a generic price range.
- Provide the full signed or proposed agreement, amendments, disclosures, title materials, and important deadlines.
- Explain your intended use of the property and questions that could affect your decision.
- Confirm who the lawyer represents and whether another professional is also a client.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lender’s attorney represent me?
Do not assume so. The CFPB explains that a lender’s or seller’s lawyer does not represent you merely because they attend closing. Confirm your own representation directly.
Can an attorney guarantee that a dispute will be avoided?
No. Legal review can help you understand risks and options, but outcomes depend on the documents, facts, and parties involved.
Can Tom help coordinate the transaction?
Yes. Tom can help organize the property search or sale and coordinate with the professionals you select. Your attorney remains the source of legal advice for your situation.
Tom Gilliam
REALTOR® | RE/MAX Classic | Farmington Hills, MI
Tom Gilliam has spent over 24 years helping buyers and sellers navigate Oakland County real estate with confidence. With 700+ successful transactions, ABR, SRES, and SFR designations, and recognition as a RE/MAX Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement honoree, Tom brings the deepest possible local expertise to every transaction — and knows exactly when to bring the right professionals to the table.
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