Ethics Hotline & Opinions

ETHICS DOCKET NO. 1988-20

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MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.

COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

ETHICS DOCKET NO. 1988-20

Fees: Charging of fee by real estate agency for preparation of a HUD Settlement Statement


You pose the following question: Is it permissible for a real estate agency to collect a fee for the preparation of a HUD Settlement Statement?

  The Committee on Ethics of the Maryland State Bar Association is charged with rendering advisory opinions as to whether or not conduct of an attorney violates the Disciplinary Rules of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct. As such, the Committee is not authorized to render opinions as to whether conduct of a lay person constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.


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DISCLAIMER: Opinions of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Ethics Committee are an uncompensated service of the MSBA. This Committee’s opinions are not binding on the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, MSBA or this Committee. The reader is advised that subsequent judicial opinions, revisions to the rules of professional conduct, and future opinions of this Committee may render the Opinions stated herein outdated. As such, the Committee’s opinions are advisory only and neither the Committee nor the MSBA assumes any liability whatsoever with respect thereto. Accordingly, reliance upon the opinions of this Committee is solely at the risk of the user.