This section is representative of common questions that potential and actual clients would want to see addressed.

Why does a business owner need an attorney?

Like it or not, laws and legal issues affect almost all aspects of a business, from starting the business until the business ends. Laws change frequently. Legal issues may not be easy for a business owner to spot. Successful business owners know the importance of delegating tasks to the right person, so that the owner has time to focus on running and growing the business. As an experienced business attorney, Lynn Humphrey can help a business owner recognize and deal with the legal issues and risks that the business faces every day, saving the business owner valuable time and, often, money.

Aren’t attorneys expensive?

While the amount of dollars that you spend on an attorney is an important consideration, you should also consider how the cost of an attorney compares with the value that the attorney provides or the money saved from avoiding a messy legal problem. By having Lynn Humphrey prepare or review a lease, real estate contract, loan agreement, or other major contract, you will benefit from having the contract accurately reflect your business deal and better protect your interests. This will often wind up saving you money in the long run.

Lynn understands how important it is for you to know how much her services are going to cost. She will handle most residential real estate purchases, sales, and refinancings on a flat fee basis. For business and commercial real estate clients, depending on the matter, flat fees for an entire matter or part of a matter may also be appropriate. If billing on an hourly basis is appropriate, you will pay only for attorney-level services and out-of-pocket expenses (such as filing fees, third-party photocopy costs, and overnight mail charges). You will not be charged for routine printing of documents, sending or receiving faxes, or domestic long-distance telephone charges. If Lynn is meeting you at your place of business or home, you will not be charged for her travel time (up to 2 hours, each way). Before Lynn starts working on your matter, you will have a written retainer agreement, which will describe how the fees for your matter will be determined, any required retainers (deposits), and how fees will be billed.

Why do I need an attorney when buying or selling a home?

Buying or selling a home is often the most expensive, and most important, transaction in most people’s lives. The most important part of that transaction is the real estate contract. Many buyers and sellers start with the broker’s form contract. While the broker’s form contract is a good starting place, it may not deal with all of the issues that are important to you, such as whether the seller must make certain repairs, how long the buyer has to get a mortgage commitment, and other critical items. Also, a real estate contract has important legal consequences for both the buyer and the seller. This is why New Jersey requires that, when a broker’s form contract is used for the purchase or sale of a home, the buyer and the seller have a period of time to have the contract reviewed by an attorney. [Attorney Review process in New Jersey]

By having Lynn Humphrey represent you in the purchase or sale of your home, you know that you have someone looking out for your interests. In addition to reviewing and negotiating the contract, Lynn can also assist you with the inspection process, ordering and reviewing the survey and title insurance, complying with the mortgage lender’s requirements and otherwise dealing with the problems that can (and often do) arise between the signing of the real estate contract and closing.

Why do I need an attorney when refinancing my home?

In this new lending environment, mortgage lenders are imposing many more requirements than before and are requiring strict compliance. For about the same fee that you would pay for a lender’s title closer, Lynn Humphrey can assist you in complying with those requirements and dealing with the problems that can (and often do) arise prior to closing. She will also conduct the closing and oversee the many payments that must be made from the loan. In addition to these extra services, you will have the comfort of knowing that Lynn is looking out for your interests.