I'm not sure about the county in which this hypothetical situation occurred, but in the counties we work in the Auditor will not transfer a deed without the Tax Map Office first stamping their approval on it.   I don't think it had anything to do with the practice of law, but the fact that it didn't have the Tax Map's stamp yet.

I think, in some counties, the Auditor will transfer a deed without Tax Map approval if it is a full lot.  I cannot be certain about that, but I have heard rumors.