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Transaction Consulting

My legal experience since 1976 gives me insight into the numerous problems you may encounter in the purchase or sale of residential or commercial real estate and businesses. We review contracts, advise and assist with due diligence, and prepare and review closing documents. You can designate us as the closing agent or we can review the activities of other closing agents. Don't go it alone. Call us for help.

Evictions

It normally takes at about two weeks for residential evictions and up to a month for commercial evictions for you to obtain a judgment for possession. If you have a tenant who is not paying, don't delay in filing an eviction action. The tenant may try to convince you they will bring the rent current soon, but all too often soon turns into months. If you file an eviction action, you can enter into a payment plan (stipulation for judgment) with the tenant, and if they fail to timely pay any payment under the stipulation, you can immediately get an order for possession and a judgment for past due rent and other charges. Payment plans outside of an eviction action may only delay the time in which it takes you to obtain possession. We will be glad to help you with any required notices and to review your lease to determine your rights. Most evictions do not go to trial or mediation but if your case goes to trial, we have over 20 years experience in eviction litigation and will be by your side. Call us for a consultation now.

Tax Deed Quiet Title Actions

If you are the successful bidder at a Tax Deed Sale, you have three options to clear title before being able to sell the property. You may be able to obtain a quit claim deed from the prior owner and obtain release of liens from all lienholders. The prior owner may be entitle to an overbid which is the excess of the amount you paid over the real property taxes due to the tax deed applicant. If there are lienholders, such as mortgages or association assessments, it is not likely they will release their liens without a fight. Your second option may be to wait four years for the statutory statute of limitations to run. You will be let into possession and can rent the property while you are waiting, so this is an inexpensive alternative to litigation. If you do not want to wait, and you cannot clear the rights of prior owners or lienholders, you will need to file a quiet title action. Our fee is $1,500 plus court costs and service of process fees. Court costs vary depending on the value of the real property, currently between $600 and $1,900. If there are deceased or unknown prior owners or lienholders, we may need to have an attorney ad litem appointed. This will result in additional fees.

Probate

I have focused on probate administration and litigation since 1976. With our knowledge and experience in real estate, we can assist you clear real estate title issues while we help you with the administration of your loved one's probate estate.

Practice Areas:

real estate law, including residential and commercial closings, residential and commercial evictions, foreclosures, quiet title actions; probate, including formal administrations, probating wills, contesting wills, contesting probate administrations; sales of businesses; incorporation; the prosecution of foreclosures; foreclosure defense

Practice Geographic Area