If you are buying or selling a home in New Jersey using a standard real estate broker's or agent's form contract, you have a valuable safeguard built into the process: the attorney review period. It gives both the buyer and the seller a short window to have a lawyer review the agreement — and to cancel it — before it locks in.
Where attorney review comes from
The attorney review period grew out of a New Jersey Supreme Court decision and the rules that followed it. The idea is straightforward: real estate agents and brokers may prepare standard contract forms, but consumers should have the chance to get legal advice before being bound by one. The provision is written into the standard form contracts used across the state.
How the three-day period works
Once both the buyer and the seller have signed the contract, the attorney review period begins.
- The clock is three business days. Weekends and certain holidays are generally not counted.
- Either side may have an attorney review the contract during that window.
- An attorney can disapprove the contract in writing for the buyer or the seller, which cancels it.
- The contract becomes binding if neither party's attorney disapproves it within the period.
What "disapproval" really means
Disapproving the contract does not usually mean the deal is dead. In practice, an attorney's disapproval letter often proposes changes — to dates, contingencies, repair responsibilities, or other terms. Negotiation continues from there, and a revised agreement can be reached. Disapproval simply keeps the door open so terms can be adjusted before anyone is locked in.
Why the review period matters
A home is one of the largest transactions most people ever make. The attorney review period is your opportunity to:
- Confirm the contract reflects what you actually agreed to.
- Add or clarify protections such as inspection, financing, and title contingencies.
- Understand your deadlines and obligations before they become enforceable.
- Address concerns specific to your property or situation.
A few practical tips
- Act quickly. Three business days passes fast. Contact a lawyer as soon as the contract is signed.
- Do not assume the form is "standard enough." Standard forms still leave important terms open to negotiation.
- Keep your agent and attorney in the loop so review and negotiation move smoothly.
Once attorney review ends without a disapproval, the contract is binding, so this early window is the right time to get advice.
If you are about to sign a New Jersey real estate contract, our real estate attorneys would be glad to review it with you. Reach out for a free, no-obligation consultation and we will walk you through the terms.
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