One of the most common misconceptions in real estate closings is the belief that you are obligated to use the lawyer recommended by your real estate agent. In this high-pressure environment, many clients simply go with the lawyer pushed onto them, assuming it is part of the standard process. However, while a realtor can provide a referral as a professional courtesy, they have absolutely no control over your choice of legal representation. The decision is entirely yours, and exercising that choice is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your interests. Your lawyer’s loyalty must be exclusively to you, independent of the sales team they rely on for referrals. A lawyer who relies heavily on referrals from a specific realtor may