Estate Planning
and Probate
Whether you seek to plan for your family's future or are faced with administering a loved one's estate, it's essential to understand your options.
Real Estate
Transactions
Reach out to me for accessible guidance in residential and commercial real estate transactions, including drafting and reviewing necessary documents.
Business Formation & Operation
Running a successful business—or starting one from the ground up—takes a great deal of thinking ahead. So let me take the lead.
Lancaster County Estate Planning & Real Estate Closing Attorney, PA
Starting A Business? – Create A Strong Legal Foundation
From drafting essential documentation to helping you pick the correct entity for your business, I’m ready to provide rock-solid support. Choosing the right business formation attorney can be challenging but with a proven track record of success, look no further than North Star Legal Services LLC.
Want to minimize operational issues? – Be proactive.
Taking care of the legal side of things today will make it easier to prevent disputes tomorrow. So let me help you avoid a breach of contract, unfair business practices, and other issues. By bringing in a business lawyer as soon as possible, you can prevent the root causes of mistakes that can lead to more significant issues later down the road. In addition, since they will have the time to become acquainted and familiar with typical operations and procedures, potential issues can be nipped in the bud before even beginning to cause problems.
Lancaster County Estate Planning & Real Estate Closing Attorney, PA
Whether you are planning your estate, buying a home, or starting a business from the ground up, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Let me help. I strive to honor your specific goals as we work together to get things done for you, your family, and your business. Ensuring the client’s goals are kept as a central component of handling your legal needs is a core tenet of my practice. With a collaborative approach to handling your case, you can rest easy knowing that you will be kept in the loop and up to date on any developments or important decisions.
I’ll Meet You Where You Are
Every person follows a different north star. But no matter your goals, you deserve legal counsel that listens to your concerns and meets you where you are. I serve clients across the state of Pennsylvania virtually and in person. We’ll meet to understand your goals at a time and place convenient to you. Whether you are starting a business, planning for your family’s security in the future, or are in the world of real estate, finding an attorney in PA to fit your needs can make every step of the process easier. So call North Star Legal Services LLC today to schedule a discussion and begin the journey to reach your legal goals as quickly as possible!
Collaborative & Client-Centric
When you set up a chat with me, we’ll collaborate right from the start. Unlike some other attorneys, I won’t disappear for months on end after our initial consult. I keep every client involved at every stage of the estate planning, real estate, or business development. The focus is 100% on you. By keeping the lines of communication open, it can be much easier to navigate whichever legal process you are involved in. Especially since many of the matters my clients seek assistance with can carry such important implications, it is only right that you be kept in the loop and up to date in real-time as your case progresses. Again, unlike other large corporate firms, you will find personal communication and individualized attention given to each aspect of your case.
Looking To Buy Property In Elizabethtown, PA? Talk To A Trusted Real Estate Closing Attorney
At North Star Legal Services, it’s all about solving problems and getting things done. I offer practical, easy-to-understand legal counsel at every stage of your transaction. However, regardless of whether you want to explore estate planning options, navigate a real estate endeavor, get a new business off the ground, or handle matters relating to an already existing business, the first step is scheduling a conversation to meet and discuss your current situation.
During this discussion, we can explore the circumstance you have found yourself in, your goals in resolving the matter, possible solutions and practical steps to achieve those goals, and much more. Then, an individually tailored strategy can be developed to help foster collaboration and proactive action throughout the process. So, don’t wait until it is too late, and call North Star Legal Services LLC today for any estate planning, real estate transaction, business formation, or business operation matters!
Pennsylvania Real Estate Lawyer For First-Time Homebuyers
I’ve always had a focus on helping people solve problems, learn, and benefit from what I know, first in IT, then in business, and finally as a real estate attorney. Since 2008, I’ve helped first-time homebuyers just like you navigate real estate law, understand their rights and options, and ensure their first home is purchased legally and securely. Whether you’re looking at commercial or residential real estate, my experience-based, goal-oriented focus will keep your and your family’s needs at the forefront.
More About ME
Pennsylvania Real Estate Lawyer For First-Time Homebuyers
I’ve always had a focus on helping people solve problems, learn, and benefit from what I know, first in IT, then in business, and finally as a real estate attorney. Since 2008, I’ve helped first-time homebuyers just like you navigate real estate law, understand their rights and options, and ensure their first home is purchased legally and securely. Whether you’re looking at commercial or residential real estate, my experience-based, goal-oriented focus will keep your and your family’s needs at the forefront.
More About ME
Guide To Pennsylvania Real Estate Title Reports
Guide To Pennsylvania Real Estate Title Reports
In Pennsylvania, real estate title reports are used by property buyers to identify any ownership or debt-related problems with the title. This helps identify and settle issues that could cause you considerable legal headaches in the future.
I work closely with a reputable local title and settlement company to ensure any issues with the property you’re looking at are brought to light. These concerns might include liens, problems in the ownership history, survey or boundary disputes, or court judgments.
Let me run a thorough title search for you. This will ensure that all debts are identified and help you better understand the property’s history before you decide to invest. Read More
What Is A Title Report?
Title reports are documents that help you identify any points of contention involving property ownership, such as boundary disputes or gaps in ownership history. They also disclose if there are any encumbrances or liens on the property related to unpaid taxes or mortgages.
The bottom line is that you need to be aware of these glaring issues before buying a property. Without a proper title search, you could face lengthy and expensive legal battles over ownership or the responsibility of paying a debt that isn’t yours.
Let me run a thorough, diligent title search for you to help your property-buying experience go much more smoothly and transparently.
Understanding Real Estate Purchase Agreements In Pennsylvania
A real estate purchase agreement is a binding legal contract that authorizes the sale of the property from its previous owner to you, the buyer. The real estate purchase agreement includes initial offers, counter offers, and the price ultimately agreed on for the property.
Also included are terms related to earnest money, contingencies, and a closing date. Real estate purchase agreements are crucial and binding documents, and it’s important to review the contents of the agreement with an attorney before you sign.
Don’t sign any document you don’t fully understand! Let me examine the real estate purchase agreement with you, explain its contents, and advise you on its implications for you as a buyer.
Client Testimonials
“Tom is very thorough and has assisted me with legal questions both personal and business related. He is relevant, timely, and knowledgeable and will put your mind at ease. I recommend him with 100% confidence.”
5 Crucial Steps To Completing The Title Search Process In Pennsylvania
First, basic property information is gathered, including parcel number, address, and legal description.
Documents relating to the property are requested through the local courthouse or recorder's office.
These documents are reviewed to ensure there are no legal issues in ownership.
The title is reviewed for liens or encumbrances, such as mortgages or unpaid taxes.
Finally, any identified problems or debts are noted and shared with you and your attorney.
blog posts
Essential Steps to Take Before Buying or Selling a Property
Before you sell a property, you’re going to want to do a little research on similar properties in the area. Using search engines like Google, Zillow, or other realtor sites... Read More
A Comprehensive Guide to the Property Closing Process in Pennsylvania
The closing process is typically a settlement day where the two parties meet with pre-signed documents. If the buyer is financing, they will need to sign the lender documents... Read More
How A Real Estate Attorney Assists With The Purchasing Of Residential Property In Pennsylvania
From my perspective, you assume a greater risk by not having an attorney involved. I think the biggest service that an attorney... Read More
How To Find Us?
Exceptional Legal Advice To Set You Up for Long-Term Success
Elizabethtown Office: 6106 Schoolhouse Road,
Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Gettysburg Office: 28 E High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 990-7178 (Call To Get Started)
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday (08:30am – 06:00pm)
Saturday - Sunday (Closed)
Start The Process Now
Reach Out Today - Schedule a virtual consultation or set up a time to meet.
Flat-Fee Real Estate Closing Attorney In Lancaster County, PA
Why should you trust me to lead you through your real estate transaction?
1. Personal & Practical Experience
I have spent my career offering proactive, practical counsel in various real estate matters in Elizabethtown and throughout PA. From working with home builders in Lancaster County to assisting in developing several golf course community projects, my experience spans decades. Since it can be challenging to find a lawyer for real estate transactions to put your trust in, relying on the experience and proven track record of success in Elizabethtown and Gettysburg, PA, can make the decisions significantly more manageable.
2. In-Depth Knowledge of the Law
My experience in real estate in Pennsylvania led me to develop a truly comprehensive understanding of regional laws and regulations. This depth of knowledge will always back the advice and guidance I give you. You and your family deserve nothing less. Finding an estate planning or real estate attorney to serve you and your family is a significant decision. So, put your trust in an attorney with experience in the local area and one who has worked with the community which you call home.
3. Passion for the Process
The laws and regulations involved in buying and selling property can be complicated. So let me help you make sense of it. I’ll explain the what and the why behind the decisions that need to be made. I genuinely enjoy helping turn real estate ideas into concrete realities. By keeping clients involved along every step in the process, the collaboration can offer benefits for all involved. Since clients are kept in the loop, you can feel well-informed when making such significant and possibly life-changing decisions.
4. Reasonable & Affordable Fees
Property prices have skyrocketed in Dauphin County, Lancaster County, and the rest of Pennsylvania. As your real estate lawyer, I take a cost-benefit approach to each transaction, ensuring that my rates remain cheaper than the typical commission owed to a real estate agent. With significant experience helping clients throughout Pennsylvania and Elizabethtown, and Gettysburg, specifically, you can rest assured that the knowledge and tools you seek in an attorney will be present to ensure you are getting the best deal at the pinnacle of service in the area.
How hiring the attorney is more affordable than a realtor.
