Practice Tip 1Real Estate Law, June 2020A note on the importance of recording transfer on death instruments as soon as possible.
Practice Tip 2By Michael J. MaslankaReal Estate Law, June 2020Practice tips for attorneys who receive calls from the child of a deceased client asking for guidance regarding the decedent's estate matters.
Swing and a Miss: Seventh Circuit Ends Hitting StreakBy Michael J. RooneyReal Estate Law, June 2020An analysis of a recent seventh circuit opinion in which the court broke a very favorable recent batting streak of hits concerning local real property law.
Cook County’s Just Housing Amendment and Its ImplicationsBy Casey HornsbyReal Estate Law, May 2020According to Cook County’s Just Housing Amendment, which became effective January 1, 2020, any landlord that performs tenant screening must adhere to the Amendment’s new procedure.
Estate of Jezewski v. Jaworski: A Warning on Joint TenancyBy Thomas A. BallReal Estate Law, May 2020Estate of Aniela Jezewski v. Elizabeth Jaworski and Kaziemerz Jaworski, which deals with the title to a house in Chicago, tells us that the presumption of tenancy in common and the four unities that defend the presumption still matter.
Former Condo Association Board Director Owes Attorneys’ Fees and a Lot MoreBy Michael J. MaslankaReal Estate Law, May 2020A summary of Spiegel v. Kim, in which a condo association sued the former director for all kinds of misfeasance and malfeasance while he was allegedly acting under the auspices of being a member of the board of directors of the association.
The Illinois Two-Step: The Forbidden Dance?By Michael G. CortinaBench and Bar, May 2020When there is a dispute as to the validity of a mortgage and the mortgagee wants to foreclose, some lawyers may consider filing declaratory judgment actions that seek a declaration that the mortgage is valid so that they can later file another action to foreclose the judicially-declared valid mortgage—but this is against the spirit of Illinois mortgage foreclosure law and may violate the tenets of res judicata.
Cook County’s New ‘Just Housing Amendment’ and What We Can ExpectBy Casey HornsbyReal Estate Law, April 2020The Just Housing Amendment institutes new conduct that housing providers must adhere to in using criminal background checks to accept or deny housing applicants.
What the Decision in Ruiz v. Cal-Ful Condominium Ass’n Tells AttorneysBy Ellis B. LevinReal Estate Law, March 2020An analysis of Ruiz v. Cal-Ful Condominium Ass’n, which centered on a dispute between two condominium unit owners and the condominium board of directors regarding the directors’ exercise of their fiduciary duty.
Cook County Recorder of Deeds Rejects Transfer on Death InstrumentsTrusts and Estates, February 2020Recently, the Cook County Recorder of Deeds has been rejecting proffered Transfer on Death Instruments unless the document contains both the document number of the last duly recorded deed and the date of that recording.
Cook County: Changes to Provisions Regarding the Senior Citizens Homestead ExemptionBy Emily R. VivianReal Estate Law, February 2020Attorneys representing homeowners in Cook County should be familiar with the provisions of Public Act 101-453, which amend provisions of the Illinois Property Tax Code regarding the senior citizens homestead exemption.
Practice TipReal Estate Law, February 2020It may be a nice touch to your practice to remind sellers' attorneys to remind their former clients to make any and all exemption applications that they were obligated to make.
Illinois Court Holds That Acceleration Notice Sent by Certified Mail Was InsufficientBy James V. NoonanReal Estate Law, January 2020A summary of Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. v. Roongseang, in which the appellate court reversed the circuit court's entry of summary judgment and judgment of foreclosure in favor of plaintiff were reversed.
Legislative UpdateReal Estate Law, January 2020A summary of legislative updates relevant to real estate law practitioners.
Practice TipBy Michael J. MaslankaReal Estate Law, January 2020When representing a purchaser of real property, where mortgage financing is needed or involved, be sure to tell your clients to ask the lender to send copies of the documents that the lender expects the mortgagor/purchaser to sign at closing in advance.
Unit Owner LitigationBy Gabriel AlvaradoReal Estate Law, December 2019Recent caselaw may help in reducing the number of meritless claims that condominium and homeowners' associations must defend against.