1. Prepare Your Property: Before listing your home, take the time to make your home “nice”. Enhance its curb appeal by ensuring the exterior is well-maintained, tidy, and inviting. Inside, declutter, depersonalize, and make any necessary repairs or upgrades to showcase your home’s best features.
2. Price it Right: Setting the right price is crucial to attract potential buyers. Conduct a comparative market analysis to determine a competitive and realistic listing price. Avoid overpricing, as it can discourage buyers and you do not want to underprice your home. Consult with a qualified real estate agent or appraiser to help you arrive at an accurate price point.
3. Disclosure and Documentation: Familiarize yourself with your state’s disclosure requirements and provide accurate and complete disclosures to potential buyers. Be transparent about any known issues or defects in your property.
4. Negotiate Wisely: Be prepared for negotiation when receiving offers. Carefully review and consider each offer, including the proposed purchase price, contingencies, and terms. Understand your rights and obligations during the negotiation process, and consult with a real estate attorney if needed to protect your interests and ensure a fair and favorable outcome.
5. Engage Professionals: Selling a home involves numerous legal and financial intricacies. It’s crucial to work with a team of professionals who can guide you through the process. Consider hiring a reputable real estate agent, and a skilled real estate attorney.

1. Complex legal requirements: Real estate transactions can involve complex legal requirements and paperwork that can be difficult to understand. A real estate attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that all of the paperwork is properly completed and filed.
2. Title issues: Title issues, such as liens or easements, can arise during a real estate transaction that can cause problems and delays. A real estate attorney can help you identify and resolve any title issues before you complete the purchase.
3. Contract negotiation: The purchase contract for a property can be complex, and negotiating the terms can be challenging. A real estate attorney can help you negotiate favorable terms, such as contingencies, financing, and closing costs.
4. Liabilities and contingencies: Real estate transactions can involve liabilities and contingencies that need to be addressed, such as property defects or zoning issues. A real estate attorney can help you identify and mitigate these risks and ensure that you are protected throughout the transaction.
5. Closing process: The closing process for a real estate transaction involves a lot of paperwork and can be confusing. A real estate attorney can help you review all of the documents, explain any legal terms, and ensure that everything is properly executed and filed with the appropriate authorities.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment if you are looking for a Real Estate Attorney.

It is generally recommended that adults who have assets and property to their name create an estate plan as soon as possible, regardless of their age. While it may be more common for individuals in their later years to have an estate plan in place, unforeseen circumstances can occur at any time, and having an estate plan can provide peace of mind and ensure that your wishes are carried out in the event of incapacity or death.

Young adults who are just starting their careers and accumulating assets may not have a significant estate, but they may still benefit from having an estate plan. For example, a young adult who owns a vehicle or has a life insurance policy may want to designate beneficiaries for these assets in case of an unexpected death.

As people age, their estate plans may become more complex and involve a wider range of assets and beneficiaries. However, it is important to remember that an estate plan is not a one-time event, and it should be updated periodically to reflect changes in personal circumstances, assets, and laws.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint a person or organization to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so.

There are generally two types of power of attorneys, medical (health care) and financial (property). Power of attorneys for health care and property enable your designated agent to act regarding all or some of your very necessary health care and property decisions. This is particularly useful in event you are unable to act due to disability or incapacity.

Your Power of Attorney/Agent must be:

•          Over the age of 18,

•          Able to make his/her own decisions,

•          Someone other than your primary healthcare provider (such as your doctor or caregiver).

Without power of attorneys, a legal proceeding and court approval may be necessary to execute decisions.

We Offer Flexible Appointments. Our FREE consultations are available over the phone, via Zoom, Teams, or in person. Weekend, early morning, and evening appointments are made upon request. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

A Land Trust is a legal entity (business or organization) that takes ownership of, or agency, of a piece of property. The property owner generally hires a company to hold their property.

Some of the benefits of a Land Trust are personal anonymity which may protect against creditor attachment and lawsuits; avoidance of probate upon naming remainder beneficiaries; avoidance of co-ownership disputes, if an agreement is entered between the beneficiaries of a Land Trust; and, much more.

In contrast to a Living Trust, a Land Trust can only hold real estate. If you are interested in a form of Estate Planning that covers all of your assets another type of Trust may be best.

To learn more about Land Trusts or other forms of Estate Planning contact our office (708-981-3344) to schedule a free consultation.

A revocable living trust is a form of estate planning that has many advantages. One benefit is it allows your estate to avoid probate. Probate is the legal process for reviewing the assets of a deceased person. Probate generally requires you to hire an attorney and a judge (court) oversee the process. Probate is very costly. You may have heard (or experienced firsthand) how expensive and long the probate process can be. If you have a revocable living trust your family/friends/beneficiaries can avoid that headache and cost.

A revocable living trust also provides benefits before death. During your lifetime you can control the trust assets. You can also amend and revoke the entire revocable trust. If you change your mind, you can always amend it! In case you become disabled or incapacitated your trust plans for your care. You can select who can help you, where you will live, and how your medical bills will be paid. You are in control!

Additionally, a trust also allows you to: name beneficiaries, name a guardian for your minor child, provide for the financial welfare of your children, avoid certain income/estate taxes, and conserve and manage your property for a better way of Life.

Contact our office (708-981-3344) to schedule a free consultation.

Telemarketing calls are often an unwelcome annoyance. To reduce the amount of unwanted telemarketing calls you receive, you can register your home and cellular phone numbers on the nationwide Do Not Call Registry to make sure that businesses follow the law and consumers do not become victims of fraud. To register visit (https://www.donotcall.gov/register.html) 

Creating an Estate Plan That Protects Your Legacy and Empowers You!

Everyone has an estate. The things you own are part of your estate. Your possessions such as: your car, home, other real estate, checking and savings accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, and personal possessions. No matter how large or small your estate, you should protect your legacy.

In the event of death or incapacity, you should want to control how your estate is given to people or organizations. To ensure your wishes are carried out, you need to provide instructions stating whom you want to receive something of yours, what you want them to receive, and when they are to receive it.

This process is known as estate planning. However, good estate planning is about so much more than naming whom you want to receive the things you own after you die. It should also:

• Minimize taxes, court costs, and unnecessary legal fees.
• Provide for loved ones who may be careless with money or who may need future protection from creditors or divorce.
• Include instructions for passing values (religion, education, etc.) in addition to your valuables.
• Provide for family members who have special needs without disrupting government aid.
• Name a guardian for minor children.
• Provide for the transfer of your business at your retirement, disability, or death.
• Include instructions for your care should you come disabled before you die.
• Include life insurance to provide for your family after your death, disability income insurance to replace your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury, or long-term care insurance to help pay for your care in case of an extended illness or injury.
• Be reviewed and updated when there are major life events.

Estate Planning Documents

• Testamentary Will
• Durable power of attorney
• Beneficiary designations
• Letter of intent
• Healthcare power of attorney
• Guardianship designations
• Power of Attorney – Health    
• Power of Attorney – Finance
• Living Trust – Individual
• Living Trust – Joint

Contact our office today and let us help you with your Estate Plan. For more information or to schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Reynolds, call 708-981-3344 or contact our office online.