For a transfer of title to take place, a properly executed deed must be provided. This document is the primary legal tool that conveys property ownership rights from the seller to the buyer. From financing documents, land surveys, purchase contracts, and more, there are literally dozens of documents and hundreds of pages involved in real estate transactions. A deed insures all these documents are correct and approved. If poorly drafted, deeds can place owners in a legal maze of challenges to their title, create lengthy, costly delays, and jeopardize the sale of the property.

Quick, do-it-yourself templates are not advised. Due to the complex nature of these documents, the preparation of a deed is considered the practice of law in Illinois. This prevents non-attorneys from preparing deeds on behalf of anyone other than themselves and protects the parties involved.

In Illinois, there are different types of deeds, such as quitclaim deeds, warranty, and special warranty deeds. In all cases, these deeds must include an accurate legal description that identifies the property and deed transfers. An attorney experienced in real estate law can advise you of the type of deed that is best suited for your situation.

Leading McHenry County Law’s real estate division is Joseph (Joe) Gottemoller, Principal, and founding partner of the firm. As a member of the McHenry County Board, he is widely regarded as an expert in real estate law due to his knowledge and experience in dealing with complex real estate issues such as residential real estate issues, zoning, development, planning and land use. He is highly respected for his ethical standards and level of communication which have consistently awarded him an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2006. We invite you to review his full bio here.

For those who are planning to purchase or sell real estate, it is recommended that you seek advice from an experienced real estate law firm such as McHenry County Law. Our free initial consultation will outline the various steps involved to ensure your title passes securely. We invite you to contact us today.