RJ Curington Featured on The Balance with Andreana Jackson

We’re proud to share that our founding attorney, RJ Curington, has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for excellence in Real Estate Law.

Honored to be recognized as the Business Rate Best Law Firm in the Fulton River District. Grateful for our clients and referral partners who make this possible.

Remote Online Notarization, or RON, allows documents to be notarized electronically through a secure online platform without requiring the signer and notary to meet in person. RON signings are increasingly used in real estate, estate planning, business, and legal matters because they offer convenience, efficiency, and flexibility while still requiring identity verification and compliance with applicable law.

Seller financing may allow a buyer to purchase a commercial or mixed-use property through scheduled installment payments instead of a traditional bank loan. While these arrangements can work when properly structured, they should be carefully documented to address payment terms, title, default, taxes, and other legal obligations to protect both parties.

When a Florida property is sold with a tenant in place, lease modifications can become a key part of the transaction. Shortening a lease term, striking prior extension terms, or allowing early termination may be enforceable, but only if the amendment is clearly drafted and properly signed. Poor wording, incorrect dates, or missing signatures can create serious legal and practical problems.

Buying at an Illinois foreclosure auction can present opportunity, but it also carries legal and financial risk. Before bidding, buyers should understand which liens may be extinguished, what obligations can survive the sale, and why a pre-auction legal review can help identify potential title, tax, and lien issues.

Buying a home with VA financing involves more than a standard inspection. Issues like structural concerns, termite activity, roof problems, and water intrusion can affect both the home’s condition and VA loan approval. Buyers should address serious repair items early and ensure repairs are completed by qualified professionals before closing.

Post-closing possession agreements can help transactions close, but they create risk if a seller remains in the home. A properly structured possession escrow protects the buyer if the seller overstays or causes damage. Buyers should ensure the escrow amount reflects real risk, not just a default contract amount.

A condo estoppel can reveal unpaid fees, special assessments, and other financial obligations that may affect a real estate closing. Buyers and sellers should understand how estoppels work and who is responsible for newly disclosed charges before closing.

When couples move in together, one of the first legal and financial questions that comes up is whether both partners should be on the lease. While it may seem like a simple relationship decision, a lease is a binding contract that can create real financial liability. In many cases, especially where one partner earns significantly more or is carrying the household financially, the smartest choice is not always putting both names on the lease.

After a home inspection, buyers often look for practical ways to address concerns without jeopardizing the transaction. One common request is for the seller to provide a home warranty, which can offer added protection and peace of mind after closing.

When parents contribute a significant down payment toward a child’s home, simply being added to the deed does not necessarily protect that investment. The key issue is not title, but whether the contribution is structured as a gift, a loan, or an ownership interest, especially when a lender is involved.

This article highlights several key legal considerations Florida property owners should understand before entering into a residential lease with an option to purchase.

The second installment of property tax bills for Cook County properties has been released today, November 14, 2023. The payment is due by December 15, 2025

Property owners and investors across Illinois should be mindful of upcoming second installment property tax deadlines for 2025. Below, we’ve compiled a county-by-county list of second installment due dates for the 2025 tax cycle.

Estate planning is a crucial step in protecting your legacy and ensuring your assets are passed on according to your wishes. Two of the most commonly used estate planning tools are wills and trusts. Here is an overview of the basic legal requirements for wills and trusts in Illinois, Florida, and Indiana.

RJ Curington invited to speak at the 34th Annual DePaul Law Review Symposium

The question isn’t whether you need an estate plan. It’s whether you want to be the one making decisions or leave those decisions up to the state.

The importance of a clear and marketable title is essential to ensuring a smooth and secure transaction.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the key updates of the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract 8.0, ensuring you stay ahead.

Deciding how to take title is an important choice. We break down the main ways to take title and how each may affect your ownership.

A deed is a legal document used to transfer ownership of property from one party to another. However, not all deeds are created equal.

Understanding the documents involved is essential to ensuring a smooth transfer of property ownership and related rights. Here are a few.