St. Johns Law Group · St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine Real Estate Closings & Title Services
Real Estate Closings at Title Company Prices®
St. Johns Law Group provides attorney-supported real estate closings, title and escrow services for residential and commercial transactions throughout St. Augustine and Northeast Florida.
Our attorneys, title agents and closing professionals work together from contract and title review through escrow, signing, funding, recording and final title-policy issuance.
Closing & Title Services
One team for the legal, title, escrow and closing sides of the transaction.
✓Residential and commercial closings
✓Title searches, examination and title insurance
✓Escrow, payoffs, deeds and closing documents
✓Remote and out-of-state closing coordination
Attorney-Supported Closings
More Than a Place to Sign Closing Documents
A closing brings together the contract, title, escrow, lender requirements, deeds, payoffs, funds and recording needed to complete the transfer.
Unlike a stand-alone title operation, St. Johns Law Group has real estate attorneys within the same firm as its title and closing professionals. When a legal issue arises, the transaction team can address it without sending the client elsewhere.
- Buyer and seller closings
- Cash and financed transactions
- Residential, investment and commercial property
- Title examination and curative work
- Escrow and closing coordination
- Remote and out-of-state closings
Why an Attorney-Integrated Closing?
Closing Services With In-House Legal Capability
Experienced title companies provide valuable title, escrow and settlement services. St. Johns Law Group adds real estate attorneys to the same closing team when a legal issue requires attorney involvement.
St. Johns Law Group
Attorney-Integrated Closing
- Closing & title servicesTitle examination, escrow, settlement, recording and title insurance.
- Contract issuesReal estate attorneys are available in-house when interpretation, amendment, default or enforcement issues arise.
- Title problemsLegal counsel can address curative issues that require more than routine title processing.
- Probate, trust & entity issuesAttorneys can evaluate authority, ownership and conveyancing questions affecting the closing.
- Easement, boundary & property disputesThe closing can be coordinated with SJLG's broader real estate practice when necessary.
Traditional Model
Standalone Title Company
- Closing & title servicesExperienced title companies routinely provide title, escrow and settlement services.
- Contract issuesWhen independent legal advice is needed, a party may need to retain separate counsel.
- Title problemsRoutine curative work may be handled internally; disputed legal issues may require referral to an attorney.
- Probate, trust & entity issuesLegal questions may require coordination with separate counsel.
- Property disputesLitigation or contested property-rights issues generally require separate legal representation.
The distinction is access to legal counsel—not whether title professionals provide valuable closing services.
St. Johns Law Group places attorneys and closing professionals on the same team so the transaction does not necessarily have to be transferred to a separate law firm when a legal issue requires attorney involvement.
Closing & Title Services
One Team for the Entire Closing Process
Choose the service that best matches your transaction or title need.
01
Buyer Closings
Coordinate title, escrow, lender requirements, closing documents, signing, funding and recording for Florida buyers.
Buyer Representation →02Seller Closings
Coordinate title cure, liens, payoffs, deeds, seller documents, signing and disbursement of sale proceeds.
Seller Representation →03Title Search & Examination
Review public records for ownership, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, restrictions and other title matters.
Start Title Work →04Title Insurance
Issue owner's and lender's title insurance policies for qualifying transactions and address title requirements before closing.
Ask About Title Insurance →05Escrow Services
Receive and safeguard deposits and transaction funds and coordinate disbursement when closing requirements are satisfied.
Open Escrow / Closing →06Deeds & Closing Documents
Prepare and review deeds, affidavits, settlement statements and other instruments needed to complete the transfer.
Open a Closing →07Liens, Payoffs & Title Cure
Address mortgages, judgments, liens, probate interests and other title requirements before closing.
Title Problems →08Commercial & Investor Closings
Handle title and closing work for commercial property, investment acquisitions and entity-owned property.
Commercial Real Estate →09Remote Closings
Coordinate signing and closing logistics for clients who cannot attend in person, subject to transaction requirements.
Contact the Closing Team →The Closing Process
From Contract to Recorded Deed
Each transaction is different, but most closings move through these core stages.
1Open File & Escrow
2Search & Examine Title
3Clear Requirements
4Sign & Fund
5Record & Disburse
Contract dates still control the transaction.
Closing coordination does not replace careful attention to inspection, financing, title, cure and closing deadlines in the signed contract and amendments.
Real Estate Team
Meet the Closing & Title Team
St. Johns Law Group combines real estate attorneys with title and closing professionals under one roof so contract, title and closing issues can be addressed within the same transaction team.
Real Estate Attorney
Douglas N. Burnett
Real estate development, transactions, closings and complex real estate matters.
Douglas Burnett Profile →
Real Estate Attorney
Megan Burnett Drysdale
Real estate contracts, transactions, leasing and closing-related matters.
Megan Burnett Drysdale Profile →
Real Estate Attorney
John L. Whiteman
Real estate, banking, transactions, closings and probate experience.
John Whiteman Profile →
Title Agent & Closing Agent
Christina Guyette
Title, escrow and closing coordination for residential, commercial and investment transactions.
Email Christina →
Closing Agent • Deeds
Katie Lemelin
Closing coordination, deeds and transaction support for Florida buyers and sellers.
Email Katie →
Integrated Closing Services
Why Choose an Attorney-Integrated Closing?
Real Estate Closings at Title Company Prices®Buyer representation is most effective when legal review and closing coordination work together. SJLG's attorneys and closing professionals can help move a transaction from contract through title, escrow, signing, funding and recording.
That continuity also means legal issues can be identified and escalated quickly when a title defect, survey concern, contract amendment or closing problem needs attorney attention.
Contract
Title & Survey
Escrow
Closing
Recording
When a Closing Hits a Problem
Title and Contract Issues That Can Delay Closing
Some problems can be cured quickly. Others require attorney review, negotiation or litigation.
Title Defects
Clouds on title, competing interests, deed defects and unresolved ownership claims can prevent a clean transfer.
Quiet Title →Liens & Judgments
Mortgages, judgments, code liens and other encumbrances may require payoff, release or curative work.
Title Services →Survey & Boundary Issues
Encroachments and boundary discrepancies may need review before the parties are ready to close.
Boundary Disputes →Easements & Access
Access rights and easement scope can affect title, marketability and intended use.
Easement Matters →Deposit Disputes
Cancellation, default and failed contingencies can create disagreements over escrowed deposits.
Deposit Disputes →Failure to Close
When a party allegedly fails to perform, the contract and transaction history determine potential remedies.
Contract Remedies →
Dispute Escalation
When Closing Coordination Becomes Litigation
If a transaction cannot be resolved through closing or curative work, SJLG's real estate litigation team can evaluate contract, deposit, title and property-rights remedies.
Closing Calculators & Resources
Tools for Florida Real Estate Closings
Use these resources to better understand transaction timing, closing costs, title and related legal issues.
Interactive Tool
Critical Date Calculator
Estimate key dates under common Florida real-estate contract forms and confirm them against the actual agreement.
Open Calculator → Interactive ToolClosing Cost Calculator
Explore estimated buyer and seller transaction costs for Florida real estate closings.
Open Calculator → Closing ResourceReal Estate Closing FAQs
Answers about title searches, title insurance, escrow, deeds, remote closings and the closing process.
View Closing FAQs →
Calculator results are estimates.
Actual costs and deadlines depend on the contract, lender requirements, title work, insurance, association charges, governmental fees, negotiated credits, amendments and other transaction-specific facts.
Closing & Title FAQs
Common Questions About Florida Real Estate Closings
Do I need an attorney for a Florida real estate closing?
Florida transactions do not always require each party to retain separate counsel, but an attorney can provide legal advice, review transaction documents and address legal problems within the scope of the engagement.
What is the difference between a title company and a closing attorney?
Both may perform title and closing functions, but a lawyer can also provide legal advice and representation within the scope of the engagement. St. Johns Law Group combines legal, title, escrow and closing services within one firm.
What does a title search examine?
A title search reviews public records for ownership interests, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, restrictions and other recorded matters that may affect the proposed transfer.
What is title insurance?
Title insurance is designed to protect an insured owner or lender against covered title risks subject to the policy's terms, exclusions, exceptions and conditions.
Who holds the escrow deposit?
The purchase contract typically identifies the escrow agent. St. Johns Law Group can serve as escrow agent in qualifying transactions and administer funds subject to the contract and applicable requirements.
Can St. Johns Law Group handle a remote closing?
Many closings can be coordinated remotely, depending on lender requirements, document execution, notarization and the circumstances of the transaction.
Can you handle commercial as well as residential closings?
Yes. The firm's real estate practice handles residential, investment and commercial transactions, with the scope of work tailored to the property and deal structure.
What is the advantage of an attorney-integrated real estate closing?
A title company can provide valuable title and settlement services. An attorney-integrated closing adds in-house legal capability when the transaction develops contract, title, probate, trust, entity, easement, boundary or dispute issues that require legal analysis or representation.
Recent Legal Insights
Recent Real Estate Closing & Title Articles
Recent guidance from St. Johns Law Group concerning Florida real estate closings, title, contracts, buyers, sellers, investment property and related disputes.
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St. Augustine & Northeast Florida
Local Closing Counsel With a Full Real Estate Practice Behind It
St. Johns Law Group handles residential, commercial and investment-property closings throughout St. Augustine, St. Johns County and surrounding Northeast Florida markets.
Because the closing team works inside a full real estate law practice, contract, title, probate, easement, boundary and dispute issues can be escalated internally when attorney involvement is needed.
Our team coordinates with buyers, sellers, Realtors, lenders, surveyors, qualified intermediaries and other transaction professionals as appropriate.
Wire Fraud Safety
Do not rely on unexpected emailed changes to wire instructions. Before sending closing funds, independently call St. Johns Law Group at a verified telephone number and confirm the routing and account information.
Real Estate Closings & Title
Ready to Open a Real Estate Closing?
Send us the contract and basic transaction information so the closing team can begin title, escrow and closing coordination.
Telephone(904) 495-0400
Emailinfo@sjlawgroup.com
Contact St. Johns Law Group
Tell Us About Your Real Estate Closing
Provide basic information about the property, contract status and the help you need.
The information on this website is not intended to be legal advice. Submission of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship. A person may become a client only after a conflict check and through a written engagement agreement. Do not include confidential or sensitive information in this form.