Services
“The fifteen years I spent representing clients in civil litigation matters has given me valuable perspective and insight as to how a well-written contract can eliminate many future headaches and save thousands of dollars.”
— Attorney Meghan Smith
Buying or Selling Residential Properties
For many people, the purchase or sale of a home represents one of the largest economic decisions of their lives. When faced with such a significant transaction, retaining an experienced attorney is essential to protecting your interests. The Smith Law Group real estate team will review and handle the contract of sale, title search and title insurance, seller disclosures, mortgage paperwork, city, state, and federal forms and documents, and collect and disburse funds through an escrow account.
Buying or Selling Commercial Properties
Commercial real estate transactions are more complex and require a knowledgeable attorney to perform due diligence and lay the groundwork to avert future litigation. We will provide you with legal advice tailored to your unique property situation, whether your purchase or sale involves issues such as multiple parties, zoning and land use questions, lease disputes, or concerns regarding environmental contamination. Meghan has extensive experience handling multi-million dollar transactions with clients and lenders, including SBA loans.
33% of people who buy a home in the US are first-time buyers.
—National Association of Realtors
Construction Contracts
We will review construction prime and subcontractor contracts and provide a detailed analysis to answer your questions. We can also draft construction-related contracts to protect your business from legal and financial issues.
The increase in small business applications has continued into 2022 after the surge brought about by the pandemic: 5 million businesses were started in 2022.
—Census.gov
Business Formation
Whether you are starting a side hustle, creating an LLC to hold title to a property, or launching your entrepreneurial dream, we can help you select the correct business entity for your needs, and to limit your personal liability. We’ll ensure that your operating documents contain all the essential terms to prevent potential future problems. We can also assist you in maintaining your business entity records, and ensure you comply with all filing requirements under the Connecticut Secretary of State. Start your business with the confidence that you have laid the foundation to protect your assets.
Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation
Even the simplest of contracts has caveats and conditions that can tip the balance of favor from one party to the other. Whether you are looking to have contracts drafted for your own business or you are contemplating entering into an agreement with another entity, it is essential to have a knowledgeable and experienced attorney review it to ensure there are no unfavorable terms, and to negotiate important components before it is executed. Our team can draft and review general business contracts, consulting agreements, non-disclosures, leases, business operating documents, license agreements, buy/sell agreements, easements, or any other business-related contracts you may need.
50% of all small businesses in the US are operated from home.
—SBA.gov
Business Asset Transactions & Succession Planning
The goal of any business is growth. Sometimes growth means bringing in investors and partners, and sometimes it means selling all or part of a business in order to retire or invest in something new. Having a trusted legal advisor to guide your negotiations, draft memorandums of understanding, and other relevant documents is key to protecting your assets. We also negotiate purchases and sales of business assets, membership interests and stocks, prepare buy-sell agreements for business owners, and assist you in transitioning your business to the next generation.
Business Counsel Concierge Services
This service is ideal for small businesses that have ongoing legal needs but are not ready to hire in-house legal counsel. This is a monthly subscription service, and package sizes vary based on a business’s size and needs.
Services include legal advice, risk assessment and advice, business consulting, internal and external contract review, and business succession planning. Our goal is to help our clients avoid costly legal mistakes by advising on both specific legal issues and through general consultation and guidance over time.
According to a 2023 survey by Caring.com, around 58% of U.S. adults do not have a will or any estate planning documents. 67% of parents with minor children have no will in place.
Estate Planning
Major life events such as buying or selling a home, getting married, having children, or starting a business are ideal times to consider planning for your family’s future. We will consult with you on your specific situation and needs, answer your questions about the probate process, and craft documents specific to your situation, such as a a will, healthcare directives, durable power of attorney, and revocable trusts.
“Grief is hard enough; don’t let the legal complexities make it harder. Seek guidance to navigate the road ahead.”
—Anonymous
Probate
Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time. At Smith Law Group, we understand the complexities of handling legal matters when a loved one passes away. Our experienced team is here to guide you through the probate process with care and professionalism, ensuring that your loved one’s estate is managed according to their wishes and the law.