There are different kinds of creative writing, but all legal writing entails the imagination to consider and address a universe of possible circumstances that might exist at times in the future, as that contract or will is implemented, and to imagine the range of things that could go wrong. A good lawyer needs to be part essayist, part programmer, and part fortune-teller.
Every problem has a unique anatomy that we must try to first understand and then analyze. A problem doesn't have to turn into a fight, even in a New York real estate transaction. When we sit down calmly to review the problems and their possible solutions, we can develop sensible and workable solutions. That is the business I am in.
The lack of proper building permits is a serious concern. It is only with properly issued and closed-out permits that you can be confident that the work done in the house is compliant with building codes.
Yesterday, a real estate broker with whom I work closely called to see if I could help with a property sale from an estate that she was working on. It was a complicated matter and for a while, it looked like a real problem, but then I was able to offer a solution that made it all work.
There's great pride in passing a family home from one generation to the next. Sometimes, this allows relatives to remain in close contact under one roof and ensures attentive care to the elders and the children. But it can create a lot of conflict, too.
