So, What Do You Really Do?
$21 million in real estate – and more….
Clients and others that I work with often ask me what other kind of legal work I do. Rather than answer in generalities or point you to the website, here’s a snapshot of the work I did for clients during 2020, and some ways I hope to be paying it forward:
- Closed over $21 million in residential and commercial real estate transactions – purchases, sales, and refinances ranging from small condos to multimillion-dollar waterfront property and everything in between. There’s more to it than moving the funds and overseeing matters to ensure compliance with South Carolina law. I went in depth with clients on matters including property taxes, how to hold title to real estate, borrowing, selling, and conveying property in and out of trusts and corporations, title insurance and resolution of title issues, and all of the minutia and details about what to expect at any given time during the transaction. Doing the job well also requires regular communication with several different parties to the transaction throughout the process (lenders and their processors and closers, realtors and their assistants, the client buyer or seller, the other party’s attorney’s office and staff, etc.) and most importantly, requires me to meet the expectations of all of these parties. This is a challenge as I perform these functions personally, not through staff – but this is the part I love the most.
- Assisted local developers in subdivision efforts that included collaboration with the municipality and adjoining property owners.
- Represented clients in quiet title actions and easement agreements.
- Represented clients purchasing and selling businesses. Asset purchases can involve a number of layers including contracts, valuations, lease assumptions or renegotiations,
- Prepared estate plans for dozens of clients in a variety of circumstances including married, unmarried, and blended families, business owners including revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, assignments and assumptions of business interests, and the like.
- Established new business entities for clients including representation beyond basic incorporation, including tailored document drafting and general advice and counsel.
- Represented clients in probate court following the passing of a loved one
- Served as the probate court appointed Guardian ad Litem/Attorney in guardianship/conservatorship proceedings.
Paying It Forward
Last year, I was very fortunate to be able to continue supporting some of the local charities that are very dear to me by:
- Continuing my annual co-sponsorship of The Boon Project, whose mission is to support young adults fighting cancer. Read more about The Boon Project here: https://www.boonproject.org/
- Continuing my co-sponsorship of the Carolina Coonhound Rescue Annual Oyster Roast and Silent Auction, which raised over $12,000 in 2020 to provide medical care, foster homes, and eventually permanent homes to hundreds of mistreated and abandoned hound dogs. Unfortunately, the 2021 Annual Oyster Roast and Silent Auction has been postponed due to the pandemic, causing a huge blow to CCR’s financial resources and ability to provide the medical treatment these rescue hounds often need. To read more or donate, visit them here: https://www.carolinacoonhoundrescue.com/index.html
- Donating to Camp Rise Above’s Happy Camper Kits for the at-home 2020 summer camps, as they all adjusted to the social distancing requirements of the pandemic. Camp Rise Above was able to provide the Happy Camper Kits – at no cost to the families – in lieu of having in person summer camp. CRA is a non-profit that provides programs and camp experiences to children that have serious illnesses and disabilities. Read more about Camp Rise Above here: https://campriseabove.org/
Whatever 2021 may hold for my office, I hope I get to continue doing this good work for my clients, and my community. I am committed to paying it forward, and I’m beyond thankful to all of my clients and colleagues for the work we are doing together.