The contract may be signed—but the seller’s attorney still has the final review.
Addendum Y makes the agreement subject to the seller’s attorney reviewing and approving it. If the attorney rejects the agreement, the seller may cancel through timely written notice.
It creates a limited legal-review contingency for the seller.
The seller and buyer may sign the purchase agreement, yet the seller’s obligation remains subject to the seller’s attorney reviewing and approving it.
If that attorney rejects the agreement, the rider gives the seller a defined cancellation mechanism. The seller must deliver written notice to the buyer on or before the date completed in Addendum Y.
Attorney review leads to approval—or a deadline-driven cancellation choice.
The completed date controls how long the seller has to use the rider’s special cancellation right.
deadlineComplete the exact calendar date in the rider
The contract continues
If the seller’s attorney approves the agreement—or the seller does not timely exercise the rejection-based cancellation right—the transaction proceeds under the remaining contract terms.
Seller may cancel
Following attorney rejection, the seller may deliver written cancellation notice on or before the stated deadline. The buyer’s Deposit is returned and both parties are released.
The language is short, but every element has a distinct job.
Signed agreement
The purchase agreement exists, subject to the attorney-review contingency.
Seller’s attorney
The designated legal professional reviews the agreement for the seller—not for both parties.
Approval or rejection
The rider turns on the attorney’s legal review, not ordinary second thoughts about the transaction.
Completed deadline
The blank date should be filled with an exact, workable review and notice deadline.
Written cancellation
If the attorney rejects the agreement, the seller must deliver notice to the buyer by the deadline.
Refund and release
Proper cancellation returns the buyer’s Deposit and releases both parties from further obligations.
The attorney evaluates legal risk—not whether the seller now prefers another offer.
An attorney may examine deadlines, remedies, title obligations, disclosures, financing language, personal-property terms, default provisions and unusual additions to the agreement.
The actual review belongs to the attorney. Brokers can explain approved forms and coordinate the transaction, but they should not manufacture legal objections or draft custom legal conclusions for the seller.
The seller still must deliver written notice on time.
An attorney’s private email, phone call or internal recommendation does not necessarily communicate cancellation to the buyer. The rider calls for the seller to provide written notice.
Delivery should follow the notice provisions in the complete purchase agreement. The parties should preserve the notice itself, transmission record and evidence showing when it was delivered.
Attorney reviews
Counsel evaluates the executed agreement within the available window.
Attorney rejects
The legal review produces the condition supporting cancellation under Addendum Y.
Seller elects to cancel
The rider says the seller “may” cancel; the decision is exercised through notice.
Written notice is delivered
Delivery must occur on or before the completed deadline.
The buyer’s Deposit is returned and the contract obligations end.
Addendum Y supplies a clean contractual outcome when its cancellation mechanism is used correctly.
Returned in full
The rider provides that the buyer’s Deposit will be returned following proper cancellation.
Released
The buyer is released from further obligations under the purchase agreement.
Released
The seller is likewise released, subject to the signed documents and proper use of the rider.
Addendum Y protects the seller. Addendum Z protects the buyer.
The structure is similar, but the reviewing attorney, cancellation right and protected party are different.
Seller’s Attorney Approval
The seller’s attorney reviews the agreement. If that attorney rejects it, the seller may cancel by delivering written notice by the completed deadline.
Buyer’s Attorney Approval
The buyer’s attorney reviews the agreement. If that attorney rejects it, the buyer may cancel by delivering written notice by the completed deadline.
Attorney access and deadline planning should happen before the review period begins.
Seller checklist
- Select the reviewing attorney before signing if possible.
- Confirm counsel can review within the proposed window.
- Send the complete agreement and every attachment promptly.
- Disclose estate, trust, entity or authority issues.
- Calendar the exact cancellation deadline.
- Separate legal concerns from ordinary seller hesitation.
- Use a contract-authorized method for written notice.
- Preserve proof of timely delivery.
Buyer checklist
- Recognize that the contract remains subject to seller review.
- Calendar the seller’s attorney-approval deadline.
- Avoid assuming silence equals immediate approval before the deadline.
- Continue performing obligations unless advised otherwise.
- Preserve all notices and communications received.
- Confirm deposit handling with the Escrow Agent after cancellation.
- Do not rely on an oral statement that the seller is cancelling.
- Seek counsel if rejection or notice timing is disputed.
Fast delivery to counsel protects the usefulness of the review period.
Contract is signed
Addendum Y makes the seller’s obligation subject to attorney review.
Documents reach counsel
The full agreement and every rider should be sent—not a partial package.
Attorney responds
Counsel approves the agreement or identifies rejection within the available time.
Notice if cancelling
The seller delivers written notice on time or the transaction continues under its terms.
Florida Addendum Y, in plain English.
Does Addendum Y mean there is no binding contract yet?
The parties have signed an agreement, but the seller’s obligations are subject to the attorney-approval contingency and its completed deadline.
Can the seller cancel simply because of second thoughts?
The rider connects cancellation to the seller’s attorney rejecting the agreement. It should not be treated as an unrestricted seller cancellation period.
Must the attorney explain every reason for rejection to the buyer?
The short rider does not state a detailed explanation requirement. The parties should follow the signed documents and obtain legal advice regarding any disputed rejection.
How does the seller cancel?
After the seller’s attorney rejects the agreement, the seller may cancel by delivering written notice to the buyer on or before the date completed in Addendum Y.
What happens if notice is delivered after the deadline?
The special cancellation mechanism requires notice on or before the stated date. Late notice may be ineffective, so the seller should obtain immediate legal guidance rather than assume the contract ended.
What happens to the buyer’s Deposit?
When the seller properly cancels under Addendum Y, the buyer’s Deposit is returned in full and both parties are released from further obligations.
Does attorney review pause other contract deadlines?
Addendum Y does not broadly state that every other deadline pauses. The parties should continue tracking the complete contract unless a signed provision says otherwise.
What is the difference between Addendum Y and Addendum Z?
Addendum Y gives the seller an attorney-review contingency. Addendum Z provides the corresponding review and cancellation mechanism for the buyer.
The value of an attorney-approval rider depends on a workable deadline and prompt coordination.
DW&Co. can help keep the contract package, notice timeline, escrow communication and appropriate Florida legal professionals aligned.
Talk with DW&Co. Real Estate