Expertise.com

Best Real Estate Attorneys in Aurora

Laurels
2023
Laurels

We did the research for you!

Learn more
  • checkboxLicensing
  • checkboxUser Reviews
  • checkboxMystery Shopping Calls

Real Estate Attorneys FAQs

Learn more
FREE

Expertise.com Concierge

Let us do the work for you!

Share your needs with our Concierge team, and they'll book you with our best available top-ranked service providers!

Bailey & Peterson, PC Attorneys At Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Bailey & Peterson, PC Attorneys At Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
7991 Shaffer Parkway, Suite 101, Littleton, CO 80127
  • Acquisition & Sale of Property
  • Land-Use & Zoning

Business Description

Bailey & Peterson, PC Attorneys At Law offers a diverse area of legal practices to clients in Aurora and the nearby communities. Its attorneys represent clients in different types of real estate transactions, including land acquisition, boundary disputes, construction contracts, zoning and land use, lending and commercial foreclosures, and leasing and sales. They also serve as general counsel to HOAs and community associations. They resolve matters through arbitration, mediation, settlement, and litigation. The law firm was founded by James Bailey in 1992.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Beck, Payne, Frank & Piper, P.C., Attorneys at Law logo

Beck, Payne, Frank & Piper, P.C., Attorneys at Law

Suite 200, The Marketplace 3025 South Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014
  • Land-Use & Zoning

Business Description

Beck, Payne, Frank & Piper, P.C., Attorneys at Law serves clients in the Aurora area, providing legal assistance to those who are dealing with real estate-related matters. Its team prepares and reviews documents relating to property purchase agreements, mortgage documents, and title documents. It is also experienced in handling insurance subrogation, creditor representation, trusts and probate, and taxation matters. One of its attorneys, Howard Beck, has extensive experience in construction and real estate, allowing him to handle complex litigation cases.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Brown & Taylor, P.C. logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Brown & Taylor, P.C.

Visit WebsiteWebsite
19590 E Mainstreet Ste 107, Parker, CO 80138

Business Description

Founded in 1987, Brown & Taylor PC is a Parker law firm that handles real estate matters in the greater Denver area. Highly esteemed among fellow civil real estate attorneys near Aurora, the firm assists in negotiating real estate sales and purchases, financing deals, and evaluating title deeds. Its attorneys help in the creation of promissory notes and deeds of trusts.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Burns, Figa & Will logo

Burns, Figa & Will

6400 S Fiddlers Green Cir Ste 1000, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Business Description

With offices in Greenwood Village, Burns, Figa, & Will is a business law firm that handles real estate issues. Founded in 1980, its attorneys work with clients' real estate problems, seeking to resolve them through cooperative negotiating and turning to litigation if negotiations fail. It handles real estate transactions, property development and zoning, and easements. It also helps clients address disputes over titles, liens, property boundaries, and realtor commissions. The firm focuses on developing strategic solutions for such conflicts.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Cambridge Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Cambridge Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
4610 S Ulster St #150, Denver, CO 80237
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Cambridge Law safeguards clients' rights regarding real estate-related cases in Aurora and nearby locations. It also handles business-partner disputes between corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships. In addition, it litigates other matters that involve civil rights, employment, intellectual property, commercial disputes, and construction issues. One of the firm's attorneys, Reid J. Allred, tried more than twenty criminal cases, including twelve jury trials. He authored the Developments in the Law—Drawing Lines Around Corporate Inversion in 2005. He also accommodates Spanish-speaking clients.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.0 / 5 (24)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Ceglian Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Ceglian Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
8191 SouthPark Lane, Suite 205, Littleton, CO 80120
  • Commercial Financing

Business Description

Ceglian Law is a practice that has been serving clients in Aurora and the neighboring areas since 2008. It assists individuals, landlords, tenants, and businesses in real estate litigation and transactions, including easements and evictions. Its team also drafts trusts and deeds, updates lease agreements, resolves lease disputes, collects rents, handles premise liability cases, and prepares property liens. Principal Brandon R. Ceglian is an affiliate member of the National Association of Residential Property Managers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (17)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Dahl Fischer logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Dahl Fischer

Visit WebsiteWebsite
2000 S. Colorado Blvd., #2-430, Denver, CO 80222
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Dahl Fischer provides legal solutions to individuals, families, and businesses in Aurora. It handles various aspects of real estate law, including commercial and residential lease drafting, landlord and tenant dispute resolution, transaction guidance, easement agreements, and agreements for land use. The firm also offers advice for corporations relating to contracts and developments. Founding partner Kelly Fischer was named one of the 10 Best Female Attorneys in 2016 by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (22)
Google
4.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Fischer Law Office logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Fischer Law Office

Visit WebsiteWebsite
3900 E. Mexico Ave. Suite 300, Denver, CO 80210
  • Acquisition & Sale of Property

Business Description

Fischer Law Office offers a broad range of legal assistance to real estate law matters in Aurora and nearby areas. The managing lawyer, Robert S. Fischer, focuses on purchasing, selling, and leasing commercial real estate. This includes zoning entitlements, site selection analysis, due diligence, and title reviews. He also works on easements and access, zoning and entitlements, and guidance on construction and leading documents. For over 20 years, Fischer has handled these cases and accommodated residential transactions.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (20)
Google
4.6 / 5 (19)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Gubbels Law Office, PC logo

Gubbels Law Office, PC

402 Wilcox St Ste 100, Castle Rock, CO 80104

Business Description

Gubbels Law Office PC in Castle Rock provides real estate services in metro Aurora. The multi-attorney firm handles all facets of residential and commercial real estate dealings and issues, including foreclosures and for-sale-by-owner transactions. It also offers title insurance, escrow, and closing services. Founding attorney Darrell J. Gubbels has more than 40 years of legal experience. He is a member of the Douglas/Elbert County Bar Association and holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Joseph Stengel PC logo

Joseph Stengel PC

5460 S Quebec St Ste 330, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Business Description

Joseph Stengel PC provides legal assistance in real estate matters to clients in the Aurora metro area. Practicing for more than 13 years, sole practitioner Stengel prepares and reviews residential and commercial real estate documents, including contracts, leases, deeds, and financial agreements. He advocates for clients facing home owners association disputes and represents parties involved in landlord-tenant disputes and evictions and assists with real estate management concerns. In addition, Stengel advises clients on matters related to premises liability law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Larranaga Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Larranaga Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
6105 S Main Street, Suite 200, Aurora, CO 80016
  • Property Easements & Restrictions
  • Commercial Real Estate Disputes

Business Description

Larranaga Law is a virtual practice that serves the legal needs of clients seeking advice on real estate transactions and cases. The firm caters to clients in and around the Aurora metro, handling matters involving deeds and leases, quiet title actions, mineral rights, real estate contracts, and land negotiations. Michael Larranaga also practices Oil and Gas Law, having spent most of his professional experience in that area prior to seeking a law degree. He has been in practice since 2020.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Law Office of James Newell logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Law Office of James Newell

Visit WebsiteWebsite
948 North Street, Suite 1, Boulder, CO 80304-3385
  • Commercial Financing

Business Description

The Law Office of James Newell is focused on real estate matters, offering its services to the locals of Aurora. It offers legal advice and representation in commercial and residential real estate transactions. These include private sales by owner, beneficiary deeds, commercial lease negotiations, land trusts, co-ownership of real estate, and deeds and private financing. He also handles estate planning and business law cases. Newell, the firm's principal attorney, has been in legal practice since 2014.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (41)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Lyda logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Lyda

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1615 Platte St., 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80202
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Lyda is a multi-practice law firm serving individuals and businesses in Aurora and the surrounding areas. It handles cases involving real estate, civil litigation, securities, and mediation. Its real estate representation includes reviewing and negotiating commercial estate documents, litigating contracts, and defending complaints against brokers. Its lawyers also assist in drafting a new lease for individuals leasing their apartments and homes. The firm also supports various community organizations, including the Fair Maps Fund and the Birth Equity Advocacy Project.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (29)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous

Visit WebsiteWebsite
3200 Cherry Creek South Drive, Suite 650, Denver, CO 80209
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous represents clients in real estate matters in Aurora and the surrounding areas. The attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience in handling title defects, development ventures, construction contracts, financing, as well as zoning and other restrictions. Other practice areas include business law, construction law, and finance law. The lawyers at the firm offer litigation, mediation, and outside general counsel. Mallon Lonnquist Morris & Watrous has been serving individuals and businesses since 1991.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
McMechan Law LLC logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

McMechan Law LLC

Visit WebsiteWebsite
18555 E. Smokey Hill Rd. #461543, Aurora, CO 80046
  • Acquisition & Sale of Property

Business Description

McMechan Law LLC offers legal advice to clients in the Aurora area. It helps people who are buying and selling properties by checking the transaction details and examining the validity of the title. The firm also helps create, dissolve, or partition businesses to protect owners and shareholders. It offers estate planning services like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. The law firm's owner Samuel McMechan has considerable experience in handling cases involving real estate and contract law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (10)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Patricia Jo Stone Attorneys at Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Patricia Jo Stone Attorneys at Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
19751 E. Mainstreet, Suite 200, Parker, CO 80138
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Patricia Jo Stone, Attorneys at Law, is a firm serving clients in Aurora and the surrounding communities. For over three decades, it has been providing counsel and representation in estate planning, family, and business law. It caters to a variety of clients, including artists, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors. The firm strives to make its services accessible and its team attentive to clients' needs. The firm's namesake, Patricia Jo Stone, teaches graduate students at the University of Phoenix, in addition to practicing law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.6 / 5 (32)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Siffring Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Siffring Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
14143 Denver West Parkway, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401
  • Acquisition & Sale of Property

Business Description

Siffring Law counsels clients regarding their real estate transactions in Aurora. The firm handles residential proceedings, reviewing and negotiating agreements such as on purchase and sale, short sale, and agent listing. It assists with mortgage documents, promissory notes, deeds, and lease agreements. In addition, Siffring Law tackles commercial property negotiations, providing legal counsel on estoppel agreements and HOA documentation. With over 15 years of legal experience, Michael D. Siffring takes on cases involving bankruptcy, business, and estate planning law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Offices of Eric L. Nesbitt, P.C. logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

The Law Offices of Eric L. Nesbitt, P.C.

Visit WebsiteWebsite
88 Inverness Cir E Unit C104, Englewood, CO 80112

Business Description

Founded in 2008, the Law Offices of Eric L. Nesbitt PC is an Englewood real estate law practice that represents clients throughout the Denver metropolitan area. As a licensed commercial real estate broker, Eric Nesbitt and his legal team assist with negotiating purchase agreements, contracts, for-sale-by-owner transactions, and title reviews. Handling both residential and commercial properties, the firm additionally has extensive experience resolving landlord-tenant matters, property disputes, foreclosures, land use issues, property development, and zoning matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Troxel Fitch, LLC logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Troxel Fitch, LLC

Visit WebsiteWebsite
1401 Lawrence Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80203
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Troxel Fitch, LLC handles real estate cases in Aurora and the surrounding areas. The law firm represents clients in commercial and residential leasing, purchasing, and sale matters. It also serves businesses needing legal assistance to resolve their business formation matters involving buy-and-sell agreements, corporate operating documents, and entity selection. It also helps clients in debt investment, convertible notes, and trademark applications. One of its partners, Nicholas Troxel, utilizes his entrepreneurship experience to handle the business law cases of his clients.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (29)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Tschetter Sulzer Attorneys & Counselors at Law logo
Visit WebsiteWebsite

Tschetter Sulzer Attorneys & Counselors at Law

Visit WebsiteWebsite
3600 S Yosemite St Suite 828, Denver, CO 80237
  • Commercial Real Estate Disputes
  • Real Estate Litigation

Business Description

Tschetter Sulzer, Attorneys & Counselors at Law, provides services in Aurora on various real estate matters, representing clients at state district and federal court levels. It handles business entity formation, commercial and real estate litigation, and public trustee foreclosures. It also focuses on eviction-related legal disputes, including tenant nuisance abatement matters, lease drafting and review, and tenant security deposit litigation. With over 130 years of combined legal experience, the firm's lawyers, led by senior managing partner Mark N. Tschetter, educate clients to make informed decisions throughout the legal process. 

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.9 / 5 (86)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a real estate attorney do?

    Real estate attorneys are responsible for preparing and reviewing transactional documents and helping clients with the closing process. They draft purchase agreements, perform title searches, write title insurance policies, disburse funds, and prepare federally mandated HUD-1 settlement statements. They can also help clients understand the tax implications of selling a home. In the case of a dispute between the buyer, seller, or a third party, real estate attorneys also defend clients in court. Even if there is no identifiable dispute over the transaction, an attorney will make sure everyone “plays by the rules” during the purchase or sale.

  • Can I purchase property without a real estate attorney?

    In some cases, it’s possible to purchase residential or commercial real estate without consulting a real estate lawyer. However, legal representation is required in approximately 20 states, and some jurisdictions require a lawyer to be present at the closing. Usually, real estate attorneys take over once real estate agents have an offer in hand. Buyers are encouraged to consult an attorney when purchasing damaged or bank-owned property or real estate located in high-risk areas. Attorneys can also assist out-of-town buyers and negotiate favorable solutions if liens, structural issues, or legal challenges crop up during the procurement.

  • What does a real estate attorney do for a buyer/seller?

    Real estate transactions may seem cut and dried, but it’s common for unforeseen difficulties to arise. Attorneys who represent buyers or sellers can facilitate a successful transaction while protecting their clients’ interests and preventing costly mistakes. On the buyer’s side, attorneys can provide advice related to financing, estate planning, tax law, and first-time home buyer credits. Real estate attorneys can also help sellers who are dealing with challenges due to liens, structural damage, probate disputes, or uncooperative partners.

  • What’s the difference between real estate and property?

    Real estate includes land, permanent structures, and natural resources, such as water, minerals, and trees. Property typically describes personal items and belongings that aren’t permanently attached to land. The transfer of real property includes the bundle of legal rights, which give landowners the freedom to possess or occupy the property, enjoy their land without interference, restrict others’ access to the property, and dispose of their ownership rights as they see fit.

  • What happens when a real estate lawyer puts a lien on you?

    In most cases, liens stay attached to the property until the debt is satisfied or the debtor files for bankruptcy. The creditor’s rights vary depending on whether the lien is voluntary or involuntary. Additionally, if a lien has been perfected, that lienholder has priority over other creditors. Voluntary liens are most common when homeowners use their property as collateral against a secured loan. Involuntary liens are typically related to back taxes, court judgments, and child support. Properties are also subject to involuntary mechanic’s or materialman’s liens in case a customer or contractor fails to pay for materials or labor. Liens don’t necessarily prevent someone from transferring property, but most buyers want a title that’s free and clear.

  • What does a real estate lawyer do at closing?

    Lawyers perform critical functions during every stage of the closing process. They draft and review documents, negotiate contracts, and finalize all of the details needed to close the sale. Attorneys who represent buyers can negotiate the terms of sales contracts, including contingencies, perform title searches to ensure that the seller can legally transfer ownership, and resolve issues related to third-party claims, liens, and easements. They can also assist with loan paperwork, title insurance, and other financial matters, such as taxes and transfer fees. Real estate attorneys who represent sellers are responsible for handling deeds, insurance declarations, and payoff letters.

  • Do I need a lawyer to sell my house privately?

    Not necessarily. Some states require a real estate attorney to be present at the closing, but there are some situations when you might consider hiring one even if it's optional where you live. Examples might include:

    • You're selling the house with an uncooperative partner
    • You've inherited a property from an owner who is now deceased
    • You anticipate tax consequences