This article walks through 2 example workflows for IL real estate (Residential Sale / Residential Buy). Since every law firm is a little different, we encourage you to make this workflow your own based on your own preferences or jurisdictional requirements.
If you are new to Smokeball and Workflows, review Workflows on specifics on how to create a workflow. You can always additional reminder tasks in between each important due date (example: "Reminder: Attorney Review Due in 3 days"). You can assign tasks to the attorney responsible, person assisting, or a specific staff member.
To ensure the workflow is impactful, make sure you are completely filling out all information in the matter details of a matter, especially Closing Details and Calendar Dates.
Residential Sale (Click to save this Workflow text file)
| Task | Due When | Details / Check List |
| 1. Send Engagement Letter | On Matter Opening | |
| 2. Attorney Review / Inspection Due | On Closing Details - Attorney Review Date | |
| 3. Order Title | 1 Week After Attorney Review / Inspection Due | |
| 4. Review Title and Send to Buyer's Attorney | 4 Working Days After "Order Title" | |
| 5. Order HOA Docs | On "Order Title" | 22.1, Rules and Regs, Bylaws, Declarations |
| 6. Check for Municipality Requirements | 1 Week after "Order Title" | Transfer Stamps, Water/Sanitation, Well/Septic |
| 7. Order Survey | 3 Weeks before Closing Details - Closing Date | |
| 8. Order Payoff | 2 Weeks before Closing Details - Closing Date | |
| 9. Get Brokers' Commission Statement | 10 Days Before Closing Details - Closing Date | |
| 10. Prepare Closing Docs | 10 Working Days Before Closing Details - Closing Date | |
| 11. Confirm Closing | 3 Working Days Before Closing Details - Closing Date | |
| 12. Check If Seller Is Signing POA or Attending Closing | 2 Weeks Before Closing Details - Closing Date |
Residential Buy (Click to save this Workflow text file)
| Task | Due When |
| 1. Send Engagement Letter | On Matter Opening |
| 2. Order Inspection | On Matter Opening |
| 3. Attorney Review In 2 Days | 2 Working Days Before Closing Details - Attorney Review Date |
| 4. Attorney Review and Inspection Due | 0 On Closing Details - Attorney Review Date |
| 5. Check With Client/Lender On Loan Status | 2 Weeks Before Closing Details - Intent to Proceed Date |
| 6. Intent to Proceed Due Today | On Closing Details - Intent To Proceed Date |
| 7. Follow Up With Client/Lender On Loan Status | 2 Weeks Before Closing Details - Mortgage Commitment Date |
| 8. Mortgage Commitment Due | On Closing Details - Mortgage Commitment Date |
| 9. Check If Client Attending Closing or Signing POA | 2 Weeks Before Closing Details - Closing Date |
| 10. Confirm Closing and Amount Needed to Bring to Closing | 3 Working Days Before Closing Details - Closing Date |
| 11. Mail Deed To Client | 2 Months After Closing Details - Closing Date |