Jordan Endler

Real estate transactions, whether buying or selling, often represent some of the most significant financial decisions a person can make. The process involves a multitude of legal documents, negotiations, and contractual obligations. Navigating these complexities without legal assistance can sometimes lead to costly mistakes or missed opportunities to protect your interests. Here’s when and why you should consider seeking legal help during real estate transactions: 1. Before Signing a Purchase Agreement A purchase agreement is one of the most important documents in a real estate transaction. It outlines the terms of the sale, including price, contingencies, and closing details. Legal counsel can help you understand the full implications of what you're agreeing to, ensuring the contract is fair and in your best interest. A lawyer can also advise you on specific contingencies to include, such as financing, inspections, or sale of your current home. 2. Disputes with Property Boundaries...

They’re named trusts for a reason because you better trust the person you put in control of it. So who’s in control? You for a Revocable Trust, and the person you name as trustee in an Irrevocable Trust (typically the eldest kid or the child that’s most responsible). Do you trust yourself? For purposes of protecting your assets for you and your family, I imagine yes. So is there a downside to not being able to name yourself as trustee of an Irrevocable Trust? Not really (in my opinion). All trusts are used to save your family time, money and aggravation. They’re a tool to streamline the passing of assets upon your death. Revocable Trusts are primarily used to avoid probate and also prevents the possibility of any Will contest (should you have a concern or not, it comes with the RT). Without question, I’d recommend RTs for out-of-state assets, like a condo in FL because then at least your family doesn’t have to probate in FL and NY. If you have any concern of a Will contest, then obviou...

Most drivers in NY don’t realize that refusing to take a breathalyzer or chemical test is an automatic 1-year license suspension, and worse yet, it can’t be converted to a “revoked” license that would allow them to at least drive to-and-from work and doctor’s visits. Police officers are required to tell drivers about the 1-year suspension if they refuse, but most drivers will tell you the police didn’t explain it, and had they known, they would have just taken the test. So when should you refuse? That depends on how the night went. To get a Driving While Impaired you have to blow a .05 — .07. A Driving While Intoxicated is .08 — .017. An Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated is a .018 and higher. Each carry more severe and heavier penalties. The general idea is that if a driver’s very intoxicated, they may want to refuse. The reason is, if they think they’re going to blow .08 or higher (particularly if they think it’s going to be closer to .018), they’ll likely s...