A Current, Disciplined Process
We remain current with Georgia real estate law and practice, and we apply the same careful, organized process to every file.
Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys
Georgia Real Estate Closings, Conducted with Precision and Care.
Personal attention to every transaction, from contract to closing.
Outlaw George & Associates, LLC brings a current, well-organized approach to every residential closing. Each client receives the focused attention one would expect if theirs were our only matter.
Closings outside regular business hours may be arranged by appointment. Contact the office to begin.
Our approach
Accessible When It Matters
Clients may reach us outside traditional business hours, and closings can be scheduled at non-traditional times by appointment.
Issues Addressed Early
We identify and resolve issues as they arise, so that each transaction can proceed to closing as efficiently as possible.
Practice Areas
Services
Our practice is concentrated on Georgia residential real estate, complemented by business formation and estate planning services for our clients.
Residential Closings
Closings for the purchase and sale of residential property, with clear communication from contract through closing.
Refinances
Refinance closings for homeowners and their lenders, with flexible arrangements for the signing.
Title Searches
Title searches and examinations for Georgia property, so that issues can be identified and addressed before closing.
Title Insurance & Contract Review
Review of real estate contracts, and title insurance issued through Chicago Title Insurance Company and Investors Title Insurance Company. Title orders are typically turned around within 48–72 hours of receipt.
Corporate Formation
Formation of limited liability companies and other business entities, including the organizational documents each requires.
Wills & Trusts
Preparation of wills and trusts to help clients plan for their property and their families.
Whom We Represent
On financed purchases, we represent the lender. On cash purchases, we represent the buyer. We represent a seller only when that relationship is separately established and we are not the closing attorney of record.
Closing Locations
In addition to traditional closings at our Galleria office, we close at IWG locations, such as Regus, Spaces and HQ, and offer mobile closings at your home or another location convenient to you.
Closings Outside Business Hours
Clients may contact us outside traditional business hours, and closings may be scheduled at non-traditional times by appointment.
Also Available
- 1031 exchanges
- Closings for builder partners
- Continuing education credit for real estate agents, through GREC-approved courses offered by Investors Title and Chicago Title
Fees
2026 Residential Purchase Fee Schedule
We publish our closing fees so that clients know what to expect. The schedule below applies to residential purchase closings. For refinances, the Attorney/Settlement Fee is $800.00; for other refinance fees or other transactions, please call the office at 404-480-9186.
Title Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Attorney/Settlement Fee$800.00 for cash purchases and refinances | $900.00 |
| Document Preparation Fee | $175.00 |
| Title Examination | $275.00 |
| CPL Fee (Lender)Financed purchases only | $75.00 |
| Post Closing Fee | $125.00 |
| Total Title Fees$1,375.00 for a cash purchase ($800.00 attorney fee; no CPL fee) | $1,550.00 |
Title Insurance
For exact title insurance premiums, please contact our office, or use our underwriters’ official rate calculators below (see also Title Insurance Quotes). We recommend the Enhanced Coverage Option.
- Investors Title: https://www.invtitle.com/calculator
- Chicago Title: https://ratecalculator.fnf.com/?id=ga-ctic-cltic
Additional Title Services
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Power of Attorney (including Recording) | $150.00 |
| Mail Away Closing | $350.00 per party |
| Additional Deed Preparation | $150.00 |
| Escrow Agreement | $275.00 |
| Title Clearance (Excessive Title Issues) | $125.00 |
| Wire FeeOne charge per closing | $35.00 |
| Seller Post Closing FeeCharged to the seller | $125.00 |
Reduced Attorney Fee
Cash Purchases & Refinances
Attorney/Settlement Fee$800.00Compared with $900.00 for a financed purchase
CPL FeeNoneOn cash purchases, where there is no lender
Title Fees, Cash Purchase$1,375.00Compared with $1,550.00 for a financed purchase
Refinances: the Attorney/Settlement Fee is $800.00. Because a refinance involves a lender, the CPL fee applies. For other refinance fees, please call 404-480-9186.
Government Fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Recording FeePaid to the Clerk of Court | $25.00 per document, plus a $0.50 e-recording processing fee per closing |
| Transfer Tax | $1.00 per $1,000 of the sales price, rounded up to the nearest $1,000 |
| Intangible Tax | $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount, rounded up to the nearest $500 |
Good Funds
Georgia’s Good Funds law (O.C.G.A. § 44-14-13) requires that all funds over $5,000.00 received by the closing attorney be delivered by wire. Our office policy is stricter than the law requires: closing funds are accepted by wire transfer only. Cashier’s checks are accepted for amounts up to $1,000.00.
Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After-hours and weekend signings are available by appointment and considered case by case.
The fees above apply to residential purchase closings. For refinances, the Attorney/Settlement Fee is $800.00. For other refinance fees or other transactions, please call the office at 404-480-9186.
Estimator
Closing-Cost Estimator & Seller Net Sheet
A preliminary estimate based on our published 2026 residential purchase fee schedule. Results update as you type. Nothing you enter is transmitted or stored.
Estimate only. This tool does not provide a quote, a commitment or legal advice. Final figures will appear on your settlement statement. Title insurance premiums, prorations (such as property taxes and HOA dues), lender charges and other costs are not included. Georgia intangible tax is capped at $25,000 per note (O.C.G.A. § 48-6-61).
Buyer Closing-Cost Estimate
Our title fees, plus recording fees, the Georgia transfer tax (paid by the buyer) and the Georgia intangible tax on the loan.
If left blank, the estimate uses our customary count: two documents (deed and security deed) for a financed purchase, or one document (deed) for a cash purchase. Recording is $25.00 per document, plus one $0.50 e-recording processing fee per closing.
Cash pricing applied No loan amount entered: Attorney/Settlement Fee $800.00 (rather than $900.00) and no CPL fee. Title fees total $1,375.00.
| Item | Amount |
|---|
The transfer tax is $1.00 per $1,000 of the sales price, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, and is paid by the buyer in our closings. Power of attorney preparation ($150.00) is included only when selected. The estimate excludes the title insurance premium, prorations, lender fees, prepaid items and the purchase price or down payment. For a cash purchase (no loan amount), the Attorney/Settlement Fee is $800.00 rather than $900.00 and the $75.00 CPL fee does not apply, so title fees total $1,375.00; with a loan, they total $1,550.00. The Georgia intangible tax is $1.50 per $500 of the loan amount, capped at $25,000 per note.
Seller Net Sheet
Estimated proceeds after commission, the mortgage payoff, our seller closing fees (the $125 seller post closing fee and one $35 wire fee) and any services you select.
| Item | Amount |
|---|
The Georgia transfer tax is paid by the buyer and therefore appears in the buyer estimate rather than here. The seller post closing fee ($125.00) and a single wire fee ($35.00, one charge per closing) are included once a sales price is entered. Power of attorney preparation ($150.00) is included only when selected. The estimate excludes prorations, payoff per diem interest, concessions, repairs and the recording of payoff cancellations. Apart from the seller post closing fee and the wire fee, sellers pay none of our title fees.
Title Insurance Premium
Premiums are not calculated here. Owner’s and lender’s policy quotes are available from our underwriters’ official rate calculators in Title Insurance Quotes below, or call our office at 404-480-9186 for exact figures.
Disclaimer. These calculations are estimates only. They are not a quote, a commitment or legal advice, and they do not create an attorney-client relationship. Final figures will appear on your settlement statement. Estimates are based on our 2026 Residential Purchase Fee Schedule; for refinances or other transactions, please call 404-480-9186.
Title Insurance
Title Insurance Quotes
We issue title insurance through Investors Title Insurance Company and Chicago Title Insurance Company, each of which publishes an official online rate calculator. Either may be used to obtain an owner’s and lender’s policy quote for Georgia property, or our office will prepare the figures for you.
Investors Title Insurance Company
The Investors Title rate calculator provides premium quotes for common transaction types. Quotes may be emailed or saved as a PDF.
Investors Title Calculator (opens in a new tab)
Opens invtitle.com/calculator in a new tab.
Chicago Title Insurance Company
The FNF National Rate Calculator, configured for Chicago Title’s Georgia agency, estimates premiums using Chicago Title’s Georgia rates. Select Georgia, the county and the transaction type.
Chicago Title Calculator (opens in a new tab)
Opens ratecalculator.fnf.com in a new tab.
About these quotes. Title insurance premiums are governed by each underwriter’s filed Georgia rates. Calculator results are estimates only; the final premium depends on the policy, coverage, endorsements and any applicable discounts, and is confirmed on your settlement statement. These calculators are operated by the underwriters on their own websites, and this site does not calculate premiums. We recommend the Enhanced Coverage Option.
Agents & Lenders
For Real Estate and Lending Professionals
We aim to make every file straightforward for the agents and lenders we work alongside. The following outlines how we work and what we need to open a file.
How We Work
- Title turnaround: typically 48–72 hours
- Attorney involvement from file opening through closing
- Office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- After-hours and weekend signings by appointment, considered case by case
- Secure Qualia client portal for scheduling and sensitive documents
- Closing locations: our Galleria office, IWG locations such as Regus, Spaces and HQ, or a mobile closing at a location convenient to the client
What We Need to Open a File
We can open the file and begin title work as soon as we receive the following. If an item is not yet available, please send what you have and let us know what is outstanding.
Real Estate Agents
- The fully executed purchase contract, with all addenda and amendments
- Earnest money details: the amount, the holder and the due date
- Lender information, including the loan officer or processor contact, or confirmation that the purchase is cash
- Names, telephone numbers and email addresses for the buyers, sellers and both agents
- The target closing date and any special timing or signing requirements, such as an after-hours signing
Lenders
- Closing Disclosure (CD) or fee request, so that we can provide our fees for your disclosures; our 2026 fee schedule is published
- Closing protection letter (CPL) request, if required for the loan
- Borrower and loan information: borrower names, loan amount and loan type
- Lender contacts, including the loan officer, processor and closer, and the recipient of the closing package
- The closing date and any lender deadlines for funding or recording
Please do not email wiring details or account numbers. Sensitive information should be sent only through our secure Qualia client portal. We verify funding and payoff instructions by telephone. Wire fraud alert.
Information By Role
For Buyers
- Please contact us as soon as your contract is signed, so that we can open your file and begin the title work. Title turnaround is typically 48–72 hours.
- Our 2026 fee schedule and closing-cost estimator outline what to expect. For title insurance premiums, see Title Insurance Quotes.
- Deliver earnest money within the time your contract allows. Earnest money instructions.
- Always verify wiring instructions by telephone at 404-480-9186 before sending funds. Wire fraud alert.
- Your closing may take place at our Galleria office, at an IWG location such as Regus, Spaces or HQ, or as a mobile closing at your home or another convenient location.
For Real Estate Agents
- To open a file, send the executed contract and the items listed above to closer@aogalaw.com.
- The closing-cost estimator and seller net sheet provide clients with a preliminary estimate; they are not a quote. For title insurance premiums, use our underwriters’ official calculators in Title Insurance Quotes.
- Evening and weekend signings are available by appointment and considered case by case. Once the file is open, the closing is scheduled through our secure Qualia client portal. Contact us to begin.
- Our Buyer’s Checklist and Seller’s Checklist (PDF) may be shared with your clients.
For Lenders
- Our 2026 fee schedule (title fees of $1,550.00 for a financed residential purchase) and the fee sheet PDF are published for your disclosures. For title insurance premiums, use the Investors Title or Chicago Title calculator in Title Insurance Quotes. For refinances, our Attorney/Settlement Fee is $800.00; for other refinance fees or other transactions, please call 404-480-9186.
- Please send your CD or fee request, CPL request and contact information as listed above.
- Title turnaround is typically 48–72 hours. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After-hours and weekend signings are available by appointment and considered case by case.
- We verify wiring and payoff instructions by telephone, and you should expect a call from our office.
For Sellers
- Please have your mortgage lender’s name and your loan number available, so that we can request a payoff statement.
- The seller net sheet provides a preliminary estimate of your proceeds.
- If your proceeds will be wired, confirm your instructions with our office by telephone, not by email. Wire fraud alert.
- Signings outside business hours can be arranged by appointment and are considered case by case. Contact the office.
Our Standards
The Standards We Bring to Every Closing
- High-value service at a reasonable fee. View our fee schedule.
- Consistent accessibility and responsiveness.
- Prompt, steady handling of challenges as they arise.
- Respect and courtesy toward every client.
- Competence and diligence in every matter.
- Cooperation with all parties toward the shared goal of closing.
- Rigorous ethical and privacy standards.
- A proactive, practical approach.
- Respect for your time.
- Title turnaround: typically 48–72 hours
- Attorney involvement from file opening through closing
Our Attorney
Alicia George
Managing Attorney
Alicia George is the Managing Attorney of Outlaw George & Associates, LLC. A native of New Jersey, she came to Atlanta to attend Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in Spanish.
She began her career as a closing paralegal, gaining substantial practical experience in the real estate industry, and went on to earn her law degree at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, where she was active in several student organizations.
With fifteen years in the real estate industry, Ms. George has developed extensive knowledge of real estate and title insurance. Her background as a closer gives her a practical, detailed understanding of the closing process that informs every transaction she handles.
Contact
Begin Your Closing
Please call or email the office directly, or send a message and we will respond. Clients may reach us outside traditional business hours.
- Email
closer@aogalaw.com - Telephone
404-480-9186 - Office
400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1500
Atlanta, GA 30339 - Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. After-hours and weekend signings are available by appointment and considered case by case.
Scheduling Your Closing
Closings are scheduled through our secure Qualia client portal. Once your file is open, you will receive an invitation to the portal, where your closing will be scheduled.
We hold traditional closings at our Galleria office and also close at IWG locations, such as Regus, Spaces and HQ. Mobile closings are available at your home or another location convenient to you. If you would prefer an evening, weekend or mobile closing, please let us know when you contact the office; these are arranged by appointment and considered case by case.
Online self-scheduling is not offered. Please contact the office to open your file.
Send a Message
Resources & FAQs
Preparing for Closing
General information to help you prepare. It is not legal advice, and every transaction is different.
What should I bring to closing?
- Two forms of government- or bank-issued identification, at least one with a photograph.
- Any funds you are required to bring, delivered as your closing attorney instructs. Our office accepts closing funds by wire transfer only; cashier’s checks are accepted for amounts up to $1,000.00. Please confirm the exact amount by telephone before the day of closing.
- Any items your lender or closing attorney has requested, such as proof of homeowner’s insurance for buyers.
How long does a closing take?
The signing appointment for many residential closings takes less than an hour, although timing varies with the transaction, the number of parties and the lender. Reaching the closing table also depends on title work, lender approval and funding, so please ask your closing attorney for a timeline specific to your transaction.
Why is an attorney required to close in Georgia?
In Georgia, real estate closings are customarily conducted by or under the supervision of a licensed attorney, who reviews the documents, handles title matters and disburses funds. The closing attorney is typically named in the purchase contract, so please tell your agent early which firm you would like to use.
Who pays which costs at closing?
Allocation is largely determined by the purchase contract and local custom, and it can vary. As a general illustration:
- Buyers commonly pay lender and loan-related fees, the Georgia intangible tax on a new loan, the Georgia transfer tax (paid by the buyer in our closings), recording fees, prepaid items such as insurance and escrows, and often the title insurance policies.
- Sellers commonly pay off any existing mortgage or liens and pay the real estate commissions set by the listing agreement.
- Items such as property taxes and HOA dues are typically prorated as of the closing date.
Your settlement statement will show the actual figures.
What is earnest money, and when is it due?
Earnest money is a good-faith deposit made by the buyer after the contract is signed. It is generally held in a trust account until closing and then credited toward the buyer’s funds. The amount and deadline are set by the contract, so it should be delivered within the time the contract allows. See earnest money instructions for our office.
Is there a waiting period after I sign a refinance?
For many refinances of a primary residence, federal law gives the borrower a right to cancel within three business days before the loan funds. Your lender and closing attorney will explain how this applies to your loan.
What if I cannot attend closing at the office?
In addition to closings at our Galleria office, we close at IWG locations, such as Regus, Spaces and HQ, and offer mobile closings at your home or another location convenient to you. Mail-away closings or a power of attorney may also be available, depending on the lender and the transaction. Please contact our office as early as possible so that we can plan accordingly.
How can I protect myself from wire fraud?
Never send money on the strength of an email alone. Before wiring any funds, call our office at a telephone number you have verified independently to confirm the wiring instructions. If instructions ever change unexpectedly, stop and call us. Read our wire fraud alert.
The answers above are general information for the public, are not legal advice, and may not apply to your situation.
Client Resources
- Buyer’s Checklist (PDF)A printable checklist for buyers
- Seller’s Checklist (PDF)A printable checklist for sellers
- Secure Client Portal (Qualia)An invitation is sent once your file is open. Contact the office to begin.
- Wire Fraud Awareness Video“Protect Your Money from Wire Fraud Schemes When Buying a Home,” American Land Title Association (YouTube)
- Information for Agents and LendersHow we work and what we need to open a file
- Your Home Loan Toolkit (CFPB, PDF)The federal guide to the Loan Estimate, Closing Disclosure and closing costs
- Georgia Homestead Exemption (Georgia DOR)For new homeowners: how and when to apply with your county
Earnest Money
Delivering Earnest Money to Our Office
Buyers and real estate agents should deliver earnest money within the time allowed by the contract, following the instructions below.
Always verify by telephone before sending funds.
Our wiring instructions will never change by email. Before sending any money, call our office at 404-480-9186, a number you have confirmed independently, to verify the instructions. Do not rely on an email, a text message or a telephone number provided in a message requesting funds. More about wire fraud.
Submit a New Contract
Email the fully executed purchase contract, with all addenda and amendments, to closer@aogalaw.com. We will open your file and confirm receipt.
Pay Earnest Money Online
Send your earnest money securely through our Qualia payment portal. Please have your property address ready, and call our office first if you have any questions.
Confirm the Deadline
Review your purchase contract for the earnest money amount and due date.
Obtain Your File Number
Call or email the office so that we can open your file and provide a file number to reference with your payment.
Verify the Instructions
Confirm the wire or check details with our office by telephone before sending anything.
Send and Notify Us
Once funds are sent, email us the confirmation and the property address so that we can confirm receipt.
Wire Transfer
Wire instructions are provided securely through our Qualia client portal once your file is open. They are not published on this website, and we never send or change wiring instructions by email.
- How to obtain them
- Contact the office to open your file; the instructions will be provided in your secure portal
- Before you wire
- Call 404-480-9186 to verify
- Reference
- Property address and file number
Cashier’s Check (up to $1,000.00)
Closing funds are accepted by wire transfer only. Cashier’s checks are accepted for amounts up to $1,000.00.
- Payable to
- Outlaw George & Associates, LLC
- Deliver to
- 400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1500, Atlanta, GA 30339
- Memo
- Property address and file number
- Accepted forms
- Closing funds: wire transfer only. Cashier’s checks: up to $1,000.00.
Wire Fraud Alert
Protect Your Funds: Verify Every Wire by Telephone
Criminals attempt to deceive buyers, sellers, agents and lenders into sending closing funds to fraudulent accounts. A telephone call to a number you already know is the most reliable protection.
We will never change wiring instructions by email.
If you receive an email, text message or call stating that our wiring instructions have changed, do not send money. Call our office at 404-480-9186 immediately.
Do Not Rely on Emailed Instructions
Do not wire money based on instructions received by email, even if the message appears to come from our office, your real estate agent, your lender or anyone else involved in the transaction. Email accounts can be compromised and messages can be forged.
Call to Verify First
Before you wire, call our office at 404-480-9186 and confirm the instructions by telephone. Use the number on this website or one you already have on file, never a number provided in the message requesting funds.
Instructions Never Change by Email
Our wiring instructions are never changed by email. Treat any message suggesting otherwise as suspicious, and call us before taking any action.
Before You Send Any Wire
Pause
Be cautious of any message that creates urgency or asks you to act without speaking to anyone.
Call Our Office
Call 404-480-9186 during office hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to verify the instructions and the amount.
Compare the Details
Check every detail of the instructions you received against what we confirmed by telephone, including the account name and number.
Confirm Receipt
After wiring, email us the confirmation and the property address, and call if you have not received confirmation that the funds arrived.
If You Believe You Have Been Targeted
- Contact your bank immediately and ask whether the wire can be recalled. Time is critical.
- Call our office at 404-480-9186 so that we can help protect the remainder of your transaction.
- Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
Additional Information
- Georgia’s Good Funds law requires funds over $5,000.00 to be wired. Our office policy is stricter: closing funds are accepted by wire only, and cashier’s checks are accepted for amounts up to $1,000.00. See the Good Funds note in our fee schedule.
- For earnest money, see our earnest money instructions.
- Never email account numbers, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information. Send them only through our secure Qualia client portal.