Who is typically required to perform a letter of opinion regarding an abstract of title?

A letter of opinion regarding an abstract of title is typically performed by a lawyer because it requires legal expertise to interpret and analyze the complexities of real property titles. The role of the lawyer includes examining the abstract, which summarizes the history of ownership and encumbrances on a property, and providing an opinion on the marketability of the title based on their findings.

Lawyers are trained to understand the legal implications of various title issues, such as liens, easements, and encroachments, which are critical for advising clients and ensuring that any potential legal problems can be addressed before the transfer of property occurs. Therefore, a lawyer’s involvement ensures that parties involved in the real estate transaction are protected against future title disputes.

In contrast, while a real estate agent may assist in the process of buying and selling property, their expertise does not typically include providing legal opinions on title issues. Similarly, a licensed title company may provide title insurance and perform title searches but does not issue legal opinions. A property appraiser focuses on determining property value and does not engage in title examination or legal opinion tasks. This clearly delineates the legal responsibilities and expertise, reinforcing why the correct answer is a lawyer.