What does attorney review include?

Attorney review gives you an opportunity to have the purchase or sale contract reviewed by a real estate attorney after it has been signed. The review may include explaining important terms, identifying provisions that need attention, and discussing possible changes based on the transaction. The scope of the review depends on the contract and the circumstances of the deal.

How much do you charge?

Legal fees depend on the type of transaction and the services involved. Our office will explain the applicable fees and what is included before representation begins. If you have questions about the cost of your transaction, contact our office and we can discuss the details with you.

What happens if problems are found during inspection?

An inspection may uncover repairs or other issues that were not apparent when the property was first viewed. If that happens, your attorney can review the inspection findings along with the contract and explain the options available to you. Depending on the circumstances, the parties may negotiate repairs, a credit, changes to the agreement, or another resolution.

What happens on closing day?

Closing is when the final documents are reviewed and signed and the transaction is completed. Your attorney can review the closing documents, go over the figures and prorations, and address any outstanding legal or title matters. For buyers, the attorney can review and explain the lender’s loan disclosures, verify the closing figures, and oversee the execution of the mortgage documents. For sellers, the attorney can confirm that applicable title clearance conditions have been addressed, review the deed and closing documents, and help facilitate the proper disbursement of final sales proceeds. Once the required documents are in order, the parties can complete the closing and move forward with the transaction.

What is a Transfer on Death Instrument?

A Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) is a cost-effective estate planning tool in Illinois that allows a property owner to designate a beneficiary to receive their residential real estate upon the owner’s death, subject to applicable legal requirements. One of the primary benefits of a TODI is that the property may pass directly to the designated beneficiary outside of the probate process, potentially reducing the time, expense, and administrative burden associated with probate.

CHICAGO REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

CRYSTAL LAKE REAL ESTATE SELLERS ATTORNEY

Experienced legal guidance for buyers, sellers, and property owners throughout Lake County.
41+ YEARS OF ILLINOIS REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

Dedicated Real Estate Attorney Helping Property Sellers In Crystal Lake

Selling a property in Crystal Lake sounds simple enough on paper. List the place, get an offer, sign some papers, and collect your money.

In reality? It gets messy fast.
Between endless buyer demands, title hiccups, and legal disclosures, a sale can fall apart when you least expect it. That is where our office steps in. While some sellers skip legal help to save a few bucks, doing so usually backfires. A single missed detail can cause weeks of closing delays or worse, legal liabilities after the buyer moves in. At Shawn M. Bolger Ltd., we have spent over 41 years guiding local property sellers through quick, painless closings. We protect your payout, tackle the legal paperwork, and keep stress off your plate.

OFFICIAL ABA MEMBER

Handling Disclosures

Under Illinois law, you have to disclose known defects about your home to potential buyers. It is not optional. Missing a required form or filling it out wrong opens you up to real lawsuits after closing day.

Not sure what actually needs to be disclosed? We walk you through every single requirement.

Whether it is an old roof leak, basement seepage from years ago, or unpermitted basement work, we help you report things accurately. That way, you avoid disputes during negotiations and stay fully protected after the keys change hands.

Protecting Your Sale Price During Attorney Review

Once an offer comes in, the buyer’s lawyer will likely send over a long list of requested contract changes and repair demands following their home inspection. It is extremely common for buyers to push for last-minute price cuts or demand large repair credits right before closing.

We step in as your shield.
During the Attorney Review period, we evaluate every single demand from the buyer’s side. We advise you on what is fair to fix and what you can firmly say no to. You worked hard for your home equity we make sure you do not give it away unnecessarily.

Clearing Title Hiccups & Managing Loan Payoffs

Before ownership transfers, the title company digs deep into your property’s past history. Unexpected surprises show up all the time. An old unreleased mortgage from a previous bank, an unpaid contractor bill, or a minor property tax discrepancy can suddenly stall your deal. If a title defect pops up on your report, our team acts fast to clear it before your target closing date. On top of that, we contact your mortgage lender directly to order official payoff letters, ensuring your existing loan gets settled properly at closing.

Preparing Legal Closing Documents & Transfer Papers

Preparing for closing day involves a massive stack of legal paperwork that must strictly meet McHenry County standards. Real estate brokers cannot legally draft these documents for you, which is why having an attorney manage this step is a must.

Our legal team drafts and reviews every crucial form, including:

The official warranty deed transferring property ownership.
The Bill of Sale for any personal items included in the purchase.
The Affidavit of Title confirming the home is free of hidden legal problems.
State, county, and local transfer tax forms.

We make sure every document is clean, accurate, and ready for your signature so there are zero last-minute surprises at the closing table.

Help When You Need It

A knowledgeable member of our legal team will go over the purchase agreement with you so that you can complete the sale with confidence. We will also help you navigate potential issues during the transactional process, such as addressing a lien against your property you recently discovered. As we finalize the sale of your property, we will handle the drafting of all the required documents, such as the deed, any amendments to the agreement, riders to the contract, among others, giving you the peace of mind and confidence to know your sale will be finalized swiftly and effectively.

For residential sellers, we offer simple, flat-rate legal fees so you know your exact costs upfront. Commercial rates may vary but are always transparent and affordable.

Shawn M. Bolger, Limited Provides Comprehensive Services For Real Estate Sellers In Crystal Lake

Selling a residential home or commercial property in Crystal Lake takes local market knowledge and a steady legal hand. Having an experienced advocate in your corner ensures that your rights are guarded, your home value is protected, and your transaction moves smoothly from start to finish.

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