Why does South Carolina require an attorney at closing?
SC is one of a handful of 'attorney states' — by statute and case law, the title search, document drafting, and disbursement of funds in a residential real-estate closing must be supervised by a licensed SC attorney. Most title companies in Charleston are law firms or partner with one.
Who picks the closing attorney — buyer or seller?
In Charleston, the buyer typically picks (since the buyer pays for the owner's title policy), but it's negotiable in the contract. Ask your realtor for two or three recommendations.
