Closing protection letters, the Form DS-1 disclosure, and key 2010 revisions to the Rules of Professional Conduct are potential pitfalls for real estate lawyers.
Effective January 1, Illinois law gives your clients a convenient way to transfer residential real estate outside of probate. Here's a review of the new law by one of its drafters.
A plaintiff who sued a lawyer for malpractice in the preparation of a quitclaim deed was too late because any injury occurred when the deed was prepared, not later when her husband died.
In baseball and residential real estate practice alike, it often comes down to the last inning when a lights-out closer can make the difference. Here are tips from veteran lawyers about what you might encounter at a real estate closing and how to handle it.
The Illinois Supreme Court interpreted the old Home Repair and Remodeling Act in light of the newly amended version and rendered a contractor-friendly decision.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation recently repealed and replaced the majority of the Real Estate License Act of 2000 with an updated and reorganized version. 68 Ill Adm Code 1450.
The Illinois Supreme Court's Carter decision holds that arbitration provisions can trump the statutory right to a jury trial contained in the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act, this author argues.
Is a nonprofit hospital a "charitable use" that qualifies for a property tax exemption? The author reviews the Illinois Supreme Court's Provena decision and predicts its likely effects, one of which is legislation to protect hospitals.
Beginning on January 1, 2012, a county with a population of more than three million is obligated to accept credit card payments for each installment of property taxes. (35 ILCS 200/20-25).
Under amendments to the Property Tax Code, property owners can seek reimbursement for taxes paid on annexed property beginning in the 2010 tax year. 35 ILCS 200/20-27.
The Illinois General Assembly has prohibited transfer fee covenants, declaring them an impairment of the marketability and transferability of property.
Does a recent Illinois Supreme Court opinion render some alreadyissued foreclosure orders voidable? If so, what might that mean for the property and subsequent buyers?
The Real Estate License Act has been amended to enable managing broker licensees, brokers, and leasing agents more flexibility in renewing their license. (225 ILCS 454/5-50)
Spouses no longer must choose between the protection against creditors provided by tenancy by the entirety and the estate-planning advantages of a revocable inter vivos trust.
The Illinois Supreme Court holds that in a foreclosure suit, the mortgage lender must name (and thus notify) the personal representative of a deceased borrower before the trial court can hear the case.
