what is an attorney opinion letter for a refinance

by Maude Bahringer 3 min read

An Opinon Letter is like an estoppel certificate issued by the borrower’s attorney regarding the borrowing entity and the loan documents. Borrowers may have an opportunity at the loan application stage to negotiate the reduction or elimination of an opinion letter and thereby reduce legal fees.

A legal opinion letter provides the lender with certain assurances, and the borrower with the confidence and security that what they are signing is accurate in light of the transaction.Jan 9, 2019

Full Answer

What is an attorney opinion letter for a bank?

An attorney opinion letter is a document addressed to either his client or the institution where his client is sending the letter, verifying that to the best of his knowledge, the client is in compliance with the relevant law. Mostly commonly, attorney opinion letters may be …

What is an opinon letter for a loan?

Jun 25, 2015 · Author. An Opinon Letter is like an estoppel certificate issued by the borrower’s attorney regarding the borrowing entity and the loan documents. Borrowers may have an opportunity at the loan application stage to negotiate the reduction or elimination of an opinion letter and thereby reduce legal fees. Understanding opinion letters and the fees associated with …

Why do lenders need an opinion letter?

This is a letter written by an attorney to a bank representative providing opinion as to whether trust collateral may be used to secure a desired loan. The attorney's opinion is that the loan purpose is consistent with authorized uses within the trust, with state law, and with the trustees fiduciary obligations.

What is an opinion letter in a contract?

May 19, 2013 · Unlike most situations where you are paying for the attorney's time, an opinion letter is like buying insurance. The attorney is taking on any liability that could arise from him being wrong. It's not uncommon to see an attorney charge .75% to 1% of the transaction size, with a minimum fee of $1,000 to $1,500.

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What does an opinion letter do?

An opinion letter, also called a legal opinion, is a letter issued by a legal counsel that facilitates a lender's due diligence process in a transaction.

What is a legal opinion document?

Also called an opinion letter. An opinion from lawyers issued in letter form expressing legal conclusions about and/or legal analysis of a transaction or matter which is relied on by the addressee of the opinion.

Why do banks require an opinion letter?

An opinion letter facilitates the lender's due diligence and is required by all conduit lenders and by some banks and some insurance company lenders depending upon the size of the loan.Jun 25, 2015

What is a client opinion letter?

An opinion letter is a formal expression of a judgment or advice based on an expert's special knowledge. The term is commonly used to refer to a document containing a lawyer's understanding of the law that applies to a particular case. Opinion letters are usually drafted at a client's request.

Who can provide a legal opinion?

On the basis of analysis of facts which can be past or current , a lawyer can give an opinion called legal opinion . Legal opinion can be taken in matters of propertyand such others issues related to past or present matters.Apr 7, 2020

How do you write a legal opinion letter?

Unless instructed otherwise, for each issue include: (i) a heading, (ii) state the question or issue, (iii) provide a short answer to the question stating your opinion, and (iv) then perform the detailed legal analysis. Use headings and sub-headings in the Body section… and write them in a neutral tone.

What is legal opinion in bank?

Legal opinion is a tool that allows parties to a transaction obtain a qualified third-party opinion on the subject, object and other issues related to the conclusion of the transaction. It is a document drawn up by a competent lawyer on any specific question or problem.

What is a loan opinion letter?

Loan opinion letters are provided by legal counsel for borrowers and provide a number of opinions including the assurance that loan documents will be binding under the law of the jurisdiction, the borrower and guarantor entities have the necessary signing authority, and that such entities have been properly formed.Jan 9, 2019

Are legal opinions binding?

Are the Attorney General's opinions binding? The Attorney General's opinions are advisory, and not legally binding on courts, agencies, or individuals.

How do address a letter to an attorney?

How to Address an Attorney | Lawyer
  1. —-Envelope or address block on letter or email on a legal matter: ——–(Full Name), Esq. ——–Name of Firm. ...
  2. —-Social/Personal envelope at all other times: ——–Mr./Ms. ( Full Name) ...
  3. —-Salutation official & social: ——–Dear Mr./Ms. ( Surname):
  4. —-Conversation official and social: ——–Mr./Ms. (
Jan 16, 2021

What are the types of legal letters?

However they can be broadly categorised and understood under following heads.
  • Dishonour of Cheque.
  • Criminal Court Forms.
  • Family Court Forms.
  • Application for Child Custody.
  • Gift Deeds.
  • Sale Documents Formats.
  • Power of Attorney.
  • Partnership Agreements.

Why is an opinion letter important?

Opinion letters signify the completion of a vital part of the due diligence process. Lenders and borrowers may both suffer undue consequences if due diligence is not properly completed, thus further showing the importance of the opinion letter. Documentation is vital to ensure that loan security is handled properly.

How to review a loan?

During the review process, the legal counsel will: 1 Ensure the completeness of the prepared documentation 2 Determine if the borrower has the legal power to enter into any loan agreement 3 Ensure the accuracy of the agreements related to loan security 4 Ensure any security has been properly registered and confirm the security position of the lender

What is an enforceability opinion?

Legal enforceability opinion. Qualifications. In the opinion letter, a legal counsel will first mention the documents reviewed (the security and loan documents). They will then specify factual conclusions in the opinion letter concerning the loan documents and whether they have been validly authorized, executed, and delivered.

What is a lender?

Lender A lender is defined as a business or financial institution that extends credit to companies and individuals, with the expectation that the full amount of. and the borrower. They review all security guarantee documents and determine the enforceability of all legal agreements from the lender’s standpoint.

What is a loan agreement?

Every time a substantial amount of money is borrowed, an individual or organization must enter into a loan agreement. The lender provides the money, provided the borrower agrees to all the loan stipulations. signed with the lender.

Can a guarantor sue a lender?

The guarantor will be liable to remedy the failure if the borrower fails to make a payment on time. In case the guarantor fails to cover the failure of the borrower, the lender can sue the guarantor. Importantly, the lender can use its rights against the guarantor even if the borrower has not been pursued.

What is the role of legal counsel?

What is the Role of the Legal Counsel? The legal counsel serves an important role in protecting the interests of both the lender. Lender A lender is defined as a business or financial institution that extends credit to companies and individuals, with the expectation that the full amount of. and the borrower.

What kind of lawyer do I need for a trust?

However, a person with a large or complex estate or a unique situation may want to consult with an estate planning attorney for help with setting up a trust. Regardless of the size of estate, it might be a good idea to talk to an estate planning attorney if you have questions or concerns about setting up a trust.

What is an opinion letter from an attorney?

An opinion letter is a formal expression of a judgment or advice based on the attorneys' legal knowledge and expertise in an area of law. The term "legal opinion" is commonly used to refer to a document containing a lawyer's or law firm's understanding of the law that applies to a particular case.

Do I need a lawyer for a revocable living trust?

The need for a lawyer to help with your estate has nothing to do with a Revocable Living Trust. If your executor could handle your estate alone, then there is no need for a lawyer even if you had no Revocable Living Trust.For example, with filing inheritance and estate tax returns or obtaining beneficiary releases.

What is a client opinion letter?

An opinion letter, also called a legal opinion, is a letter issued by a legal counsel that facilitates a lender's due diligence process in a transaction.Lenders often require an opinion letter to act as proof of legal counsel's advice and conclusions regarding the loan documents relevant to the transaction.

What is the purpose of a legal opinion letter?

The opinion letter is a formal letter drafted by an attorney. The aim is to verify the legal status of either you or your business. Some situations that might require an opinion letter include: Verifying a person's lack of criminal status.

What is an attorney opinion letter for a trust?

A legal opinion letter refers to a letter written by an attorney which states that as of the day of review and according to the terms of the Trust, the Trust assets can be encumbered and that the Trustee has the authority to encumber the assets.

Can assets be removed from a revocable trust?

A revocable trust is a flexible legal entity/financial structure that allows the individual who creates it, known as the grantor, to change, remove or alter the trust assets or, in fact, amend the trust itself or its beneficiariesat any point during his or her lifetime.

David Allen Hiersekorn

I used to have a contract with a lender, and I've drafted a few hundred of these letters. Unlike most situations where you are paying for the attorney's time, an opinion letter is like buying insurance. The attorney is taking on any liability that could arise from him being wrong...

Paul Rudolph Miller

Rather than have an attorney draft an opinion letter, I think it would be easier to have the home re-deeded to the Trust after it has been removed for the trust for refinancing purposes.

Robert Paul Bergman

I agree with the idea of just drawing up deeds to remove the property from your trust, put on the new loan, and then put it back into your trust.

Charles Adam Shultz

The biggest issue that you will get into is the requirement that the Trust meets Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements. After that, when not using the drafting attorney, the entire trust needs to be reviewed if the attorney is not the drafting attorney. I cannot say exactly the cost but Mr. Corrigan's time estimate is probably correct.

John P Corrigan

An opinion letter for an attorney creates an extra layer of liability for an attorney so no lawyer does this work for free knowing the risks. With that being said, ti would probably be something that would take a lawyer about 2-4 hours plus a premium for giving a formal opinion letter. I would say about $2,000-$4,000 depending on the lawyer...

John Donald Sullivan

I am assuming you are talking about some type of commercial or investment property, since lenders almost never require a borrower's counsel legal opinion for residential transactions.#N#As Mr. Hochman noted, this must be done by a licensed attorney or law firm. It...

Joseph I. Hochman

Based on your question, it appears that your lender wants somem form of a legal opinion regarding the status and legitimacy of a trust entity that was formed to hold specific real estate. The answer to your question will depend on the laws of the state where you are located.

What is a loan opinion letter?

Writing a loan opinion letter requires a complete review of the loan documents and a substantiated opinion about the entity structure of the borrower and its binding nature, including all assumptions and exclusions.

Does Washington require a loan opinion letter?

While Washington has no specific legal requirement for a loan opinion letter, lenders do generally require one to be submitted. This is especially true when higher loan amounts are involved or when the borrower is from outside of Washington and may not be as familiar with state law and regulatory requirements.

What is Holmquist and Gardiner?

At Holmquist + Gardiner, our real estate legal team specializes in helping our clients prepare and apply for high-end commercial development loans. As a Seattle real estate law firm, we’ve helped real estate developers secure billions of dollars in loans over the years by doing what’s right for our clients and being good at what we do—without the need for exorbitant legal fees.

Why do third parties refuse to honor powers of attorney?

Some third parties refuse to honor powers of attorney because they believe they are protecting the principal from possible unscrupulous conduct. If your power of attorney is refused, talk with your attorney.”.

Can a principal sign a power of attorney?

Not so. Principals must have the “capacity” to sign legal documents. Generally, this means that someone under age 18 cannot create a power of attorney. In addition, the person creating a POA must legally have the mental capacity to manage their own affairs effectively.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is an important document that sometimes shows up in real estate transactions. It can allow someone else to act in your place to purchase, sell, finance or refinance a home. “A power of attorney,” says the Florida Bar Association, “is a legal document delegating authority from one person to another.

What is POA in mortgage?

A POA is a very powerful document that can make buying or refinancing a home possible when you can’t be there yourself to handle all the legalities. Verify your new rate (Jul 25th, 2021)

What is an agent in a business?

In turn, an “agent” is someone with a “fiduciary” obligation. The term “fiduciary” means a lot of responsibility. An agent must be loyal to the principal, fully account for all money, act with care, maintain confidences, follow instructions, and deal honestly and fairly.

When does a POA expire?

The POA can also have a limited time frame. It might expire at 10 AM on October 1st.

What is a fiduciary agent?

An agent must be loyal to the principal, fully account for all money, act with care, maintain confidences, follow instructions, and deal honestly and fairly.

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Components of An Opinion Letter

  • The four key components of a standard opinion letter are: 1. List of documents reviewed 2. Factual conclusions 3. Legal enforceability opinion 4. Qualifications In the opinion letter, a legal counsel will first mention the documents reviewed (the security and loan documents). They will then specify factual conclusions in the opinion letter concerni...
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What Is The Role of The Legal Counsel?

  • The legal counsel serves an important role in protecting the interests of both the lenderLenderA lender is defined as a business or financial institution that extends credit to companies and individuals, with the expectation that the full amount ofand the borrower. They review all security guarantee documents and determine the enforceability of all legal agreements from the lender’s …
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Additional Resources

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