One area of business and corporate law that is gaining increased relevance as new statutes emerge is that of environmental regulation. Businesses are being increasingly held to more stringent standards in terms not only of pollution produced during production but also for the ways in which waste is being disposed of. As with some other restrictions, the types of penalties and requirements may vary by the size and area of your business, so it’s best to have a lawyer checking your compliance.

Real Estate

Trying to navigate a real estate transaction without a real estate attorney is akin to climbing the Matterhorn without a Sherpa to guide you. The complexities of a real estate transaction are that way as there are three legal jurisdictions involved: the federal government, the state government, and local government as well as common law. Moreover, state laws differ in the states as far as real estate goes. You need a real estate attorney to protect your rights in such a complicated legal transaction.

The first step of a legal transaction is the contract between the seller and the real estate agent. It is a wise seller who sees areal estate attorney before engaging a real estate agent. The agent’s marketing plan, commission, length of engagement and disclosure if they are representing both buyer and seller need as well as other term need a contract.

A real estate attorney to make sure that what you agreed to verbally is what is in the contract should then review the contract. It is a small price to pay to know that if your agent is not performing as required, you can fire them.

Federal law comes into play due to the Fair Housing Act. It prohibits a seller from not selling to a person due to race, religion or national origin. Often sellers get pressure from neighbors not to sell to a certain buyer – they claim they want to protect their property values. If you plan to refuse a bona fide offer for any reason, first discuss this issue with your real estate attorney to make sure your reasons are legal.
Contract law applies to all real estate transactions. Simply put, all real estate transactions are under the terms of a written contract. A qualified real estate attorney is best consulted before signing such an agreement to protect their rights.

For a seller to actually sell property he must prove that he has the title to the property – in other words proof that he owns it. The title needs to be unencumbered for the sale to go ahead. Generally a Title Insurance Company or an attorney will investigate to make sure that the seller has clear possession of the title.

Most buyers get a mortgage to finance the buying of real property. These documents are complex and are best reviewed by an attorney.

A closing is a meeting where the documents get signed. It is not uncommon for a buyer or a seller to be absent but allow their attorney to make sure that all documents are correct and the attorney will execute them on behalf of his client if he has power of attorney.

For strong representation from a lawyer dedicated to maximizing your benefits, call Croskey Law Office now at (937) 866-2922. There is no obligation to hire, and we collect no fees unless we make a recovery or settlement on your behalf.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is the process of disposing of an estate. Estate planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses. Guardians are often designated for minor children and beneficiaries in incapacity.

Estate planning involves the will, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of appointment, property ownership, gift, and powers of attorney, specifically the durable financial power of attorney and the durable medical power of attorney. Virtually all estate planning attorneys now advise clients to also create a living will. Specific final arrangements, such as whether to be buried or cremated, are also often part of the documents. And more sophisticated estate plans may even cover deferring or decreasing estate taxes or winding up a business.

If you or someone you know is in need of an Estate Planning lawyer, please contact Croskey Law Office for a free case evaluation.

About Our Firm

Our firm handles legal matters in the following practice areas: Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate, and Corporations.

Our law firm focuses on our clients’ needs in the areas of Estate Planning, Real Estate, Medicaid Planning and avoiding probate without a trust.

Thomas Croskey was born in Dayton, Ohio and is the father of two children.

His experience includes serving as the Corporate General Counsel and Secretary for CBC Companies, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio. working as an attorney for American Electric Power/Columbus Southern Power Company and the Senior Attorney for the Toledo Edison Company.