Yondi K. Morris-Andrews is a founding partner of Knight, Morris & Reddick Law Group. She specializes in various practice areas including corporate, entertainment, property tax appeals and real estate transactions. With her corporate clients, Mrs. Morris-Andrews works mostly with start-up companies, offering them advice on how to form as an entity, while drafting and negotiating contracts on the company’s behalf. Morris-Andrews offers creative solutions for her entrepreneur clients, and is able to guide them as they grow from the start-up phase to experienced businesses. She has been hired by her clients to act as general counsel, handling any needs that might arise from the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business. For her entertainment clients, Morris-Andrews drafts and reviews contracts including licensing, agent and artist agreements, and will negotiate deals on her client’s behalf. Ranging from an independent play writer to a talent management company, Morris-Andrews assists her clients in whatever their legal needs might be. Another area of great interest to Morris-Andrews is real estate; representing clients in the buying and selling of both residential and commercial properties. Morris-Andrews works closely with clients and agents on her deals, and as a Chicago native, has insight regarding various neighborhoods and what her clients should consider when buying or selling their home. Morris-Andrews is also a property tax appeal expert, which means she can likely get a reduction in the amount her clients are paying in their property taxes. In that capacity, Morris-Andrews files appeals with the Cook County Board of Review, and submits evidence and attends hearings on her client’s behalf.
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"Buying a home is probably the biggest investment you'll ever make. In addition to hiring a real estate agent to help negotiate the transaction, you might consider a real estate lawyer to guide you through the legal process. Real estate attorneys specialize in matters related to property, from transactions to handling disputes between parties. Real Estate Lawyers: An Overview Many states require a real estate attorney be present at closing. Even if your state does not require one, you might want a real estate attorney to be there for you. A real estate attorney will represent your interests at closing. They will review all paperwork in advance and advise on any problems or omissions with the documentation. Most real estate lawyers charge an hourly fee for services, although some charge a flat rate. The lawyer will tell you up front. Typically, the range is $150 to $350 per hour, or a flat fee of $500 to $1,500.
KEY TAKEAWAYS A real estate attorney prepares or reviews all of the documents that are signed at the closing of a real estate purchase. The attorney is then present at the closing to represent the buyer's (or the seller's) interests. Real estate law is a matter for state and local jurisdictions. The Attorney's Responsibilities A real estate attorney is equipped to prepare and review documents relating to purchase agreements, mortgage documents, title documents and transfer documents. A real estate attorney hired to handle a transaction will always attend the closing with the buyer. Closing is when the money is paid and the title is transferred. The attorney is there to ensure the transfer is legal, binding, and in the best interests of the client. During the purchase of a property, the real estate attorney and staff might prepare documents, write title insurance policies, complete title searches on the property, and handle the transfer of funds for the purchase. If the purchase is being financed, the attorney is responsible for paperwork such as the federal HUD-1 Form and related transfer of funds documentation for the buyer's lender. In the case of a real estate dispute, such as chain of title, lot line problems, or other issues involving contracts, the attorney will resolve the problem. A real estate attorney may also provide legal representation for either a buyer or a seller when a dispute winds up in a courtroom. The real estate attorney obtains facts from both sides of the dispute and tries to bring them to a resolution. This may mean hiring a surveyor or title company to work through the details. When You Need a Real Estate Attorney As noted, some states require a real estate attorney to supervise real estate transactions and be present at closing. These "attorney closing states" are Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina and West Virginia. Other states are considered "attorney title opinion states," meaning a lawyer is required to certify title. These states are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. Four states—Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Ohio—do not require real estate lawyers, however they are typically involved in transactions according to local custom and practice.1 If you don't live in one of these states, it's up to you whether you want to hire an attorney. It may depend on your confidence in your own knowledge of the ins and outs of real estate law. Hiring one is certainly worth considering if you're trying to navigate a particularly murky or complex situation like a foreclosure or a short sale."
Source: Troy Segal | Investopedia.com
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