Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Lake Charles Real Estate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
3801 Maplewood Drive, Sulphur, LA 70663
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Schrumpf Law provides assistance to Lake Charles residents in diverse real estate transactions. Serving buyers and sellers, the law firm provides consultation and legal services in loan closings, loan modification, and refinances. It counsels clients regarding various property topics like insurance and termite certificates to help in their buying and selling decision-making. Schrumpf Law's areas of expertise cover business litigation, estate planning, and probate. In addition, it takes on personal injury cases, helping victims of medical malpractice and wrongful death.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Schrumpf - Principal | Active | 44 yrs |
600 Broad Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
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Established in 2005, Stutes & Lavergne delivers legal solutions to clients in Lake Charles and the neighboring communities. The firm guides and represents individuals and businesses in real estate law. It handles residential and commercial loan closings, purchase and sale agreements, contract negotiations and disputes, and title insurance issues. Stutes & Lavergne extends its legal practice in personal injury, business, and tax law. The attorneys at the firm protect clients' interests and properties by employing legal alternatives and solutions in their cases.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Russell Stutes - Managing Partner | Active | 33 yrs |
630 Kirby Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
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Sigler, Arabie & Cannon Attorneys at Law is a Louisiana law office serving clients in Lake Charles. The firm's real estate attorney, Brian W. Arabie, has been practicing law since 2001 and handles all facets of real estate law—from closing and escrows to development and rights of way. He is a member of the American Land Title Association and plays an active role in the community assisting in the Coastal Plain Conservancy board. Sigler, Arabie & Cannon Attorneys at Law also practices environmental, estate planning, and business law.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| David Sigler - Partner | Active | 53 yrs |
1777 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
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Ironclad Title is a legal firm that serves clients in the Lake Charles area. It provides legal representation to those dealing with real estate-related matters, including commercial or industrial projects, home purchases, construction loans, and lease title examinations and opinions. The firm also serves as a licensed agent for companies like the Chicago Title Insurance Corporation and First American Title Insurance Corporation. Attorney John Robichaux was given "National Title Professional" by the American Land Title Association.
2002 W. Walnut Street, Suite 3, Lake Charles, LA 70601
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Established in 2005, Cypress Title is a team of attorneys serving individuals and businesses in Lake Charles and the surrounding communities. The company handles a variety of real estate transactions, including obtaining and pursuing title opinions, escrow agreements, title exams, and real estate abstracts. Additional legal services provided by the firm include assistance with commercial transactions, corporate formations, contract reviews, and wills and successions. One of the owners, Jason Dupree, servers on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Company.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Dupree - Owner | Active | 28 yrs |
772 Hwy. 171 N, Moss Bluff, LA 70611
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Christopher J. Guillory L.L.C. Attorney at Law serves clients in Lake Charles and the surrounding communities. The firm's list of real estate legal services includes construction disputes, transactions, and lease disputes. Its other areas of practice include probate law, wills, insurance issues, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and personal injuries. Guillory has 16 years of legal experience. While he seeks to resolve disputes through mediation, he is prepared to represent clients in business and commercial litigation cases.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Guillory - Principal / Owner | Active | 20 yrs |
Disclaimer: Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
To obtain a copy of police reports for incidents related to your case, you can visit the Lake Charles Police Headquarters building located at 830 Enterprise Blvd. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reports that are available for printing include crash reports and initial incident reports for burglary, theft, or criminal damage, which are free to the person(s) involved. Event/call logs can only be obtained through the public information record request online https://www.cityoflakecharles.com/egov/apps/services/index.egov?view=detail;id=4. If you need more information about obtaining criminal incident reports, you can contact the Records Division at 337-491-1456 ext 5927.
No. Sellers are not required to be present at the closing of a home sale. They can use a power of attorney to handle the process on their behalf. However, certain preparations should be made to ensure a smooth closing, such as providing a government-issued photo ID, keys or codes to the property, remotes for home systems, and any necessary documents instructed by the attorney or escrow agent.
Yes, Lake Charles offers first-time home buyer programs. Options include Louisiana Housing Corporation programs for down payment assistance and tax credits, the Homebuyer Assistance Program for down payment and closing cost assistance, Rural Development for 100% financing in rural areas, and VA loans for veterans with no down payment. Research eligibility requirements and application processes to determine which programs suit your needs.
Yes. In Lake Charles, succession is mandatory whenever a person owned land. Land ownership is considered immovable property, and thus, a succession process is necessary to transfer ownership to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. Whether the decedent had a will or died intestate, the succession ensures a legal and proper transfer of land ownership by the decedent's wishes or state law. Therefore, regardless of the circumstances, succession is always required for land ownership in Louisiana.
Partition by licitation is a legal process in Lake Charles that allows a co-owner to sell their share of an inherited or jointly owned property, even if other co-owners object. The co-owner requesting the sale must file a petition with the court, which decides if selling the property and dividing the proceeds is fairer than physically dividing it. If approved, the property is auctioned, and the highest bidder becomes the new owner. Proceeds are then divided among the co-owners based on their respective shares.
On average, the full closing process, from offer acceptance to the closing date, takes around 50 days in Lake Charles. However, it is important to know that nearly one-third of closings experience delays, which can further extend the timeline. The involvement of a buyer's lender for loan origination and underwriting contributes to the time-consuming nature of the process. Sellers also have their checklist of tasks to address during this period.
Real estate attorneys are responsible for preparing and reviewing transactional documents and helping clients with the closing process. They draft purchase agreements, perform title searches, write title insurance policies, disburse funds, and prepare federally mandated HUD-1 settlement statements. They can also help clients understand the tax implications of selling a home. In the case of a dispute between the buyer, seller, or a third party, real estate attorneys also defend clients in court. Even if there is no identifiable dispute over the transaction, an attorney will make sure everyone “plays by the rules” during the purchase or sale.
In some cases, it’s possible to purchase residential or commercial real estate without consulting a real estate lawyer. However, legal representation is required in approximately 20 states, and some jurisdictions require a lawyer to be present at the closing. Usually, real estate attorneys take over once real estate agents have an offer in hand. Buyers are encouraged to consult an attorney when purchasing damaged or bank-owned property or real estate located in high-risk areas. Attorneys can also assist out-of-town buyers and negotiate favorable solutions if liens, structural issues, or legal challenges crop up during the procurement.
Real estate transactions may seem cut and dried, but it’s common for unforeseen difficulties to arise. Attorneys who represent buyers or sellers can facilitate a successful transaction while protecting their clients’ interests and preventing costly mistakes. On the buyer’s side, attorneys can provide advice related to financing, estate planning, tax law, and first-time home buyer credits. Real estate attorneys can also help sellers who are dealing with challenges due to liens, structural damage, probate disputes, or uncooperative partners.
Real estate includes land, permanent structures, and natural resources, such as water, minerals, and trees. Property typically describes personal items and belongings that aren’t permanently attached to land. The transfer of real property includes the bundle of legal rights, which give landowners the freedom to possess or occupy the property, enjoy their land without interference, restrict others’ access to the property, and dispose of their ownership rights as they see fit.
In most cases, liens stay attached to the property until the debt is satisfied or the debtor files for bankruptcy. The creditor’s rights vary depending on whether the lien is voluntary or involuntary. Additionally, if a lien has been perfected, that lienholder has priority over other creditors. Voluntary liens are most common when homeowners use their property as collateral against a secured loan. Involuntary liens are typically related to back taxes, court judgments, and child support. Properties are also subject to involuntary mechanic’s or materialman’s liens in case a customer or contractor fails to pay for materials or labor. Liens don’t necessarily prevent someone from transferring property, but most buyers want a title that’s free and clear.
Lawyers perform critical functions during every stage of the closing process. They draft and review documents, negotiate contracts, and finalize all of the details needed to close the sale. Attorneys who represent buyers can negotiate the terms of sales contracts, including contingencies, perform title searches to ensure that the seller can legally transfer ownership, and resolve issues related to third-party claims, liens, and easements. They can also assist with loan paperwork, title insurance, and other financial matters, such as taxes and transfer fees. Real estate attorneys who represent sellers are responsible for handling deeds, insurance declarations, and payoff letters.
Generally speaking, no, because the seller and buyer have different priorities when it comes to a home sale, and some of those interests conflict. States have specific laws governing whether or not a real estate lawyer can represent the buyer and seller, and if this does happen, there's often a waiver that has to be signed by both parties acknowledging a conflict exists. States may have different names for a document like this, but it's usually called a Conflict Waiver. Acceptable exceptions for using the same real estate lawyer might include a property being transferred from one family member to another, such as a father to his son.
Some states require a closing attorney, while others deem it optional. The cost of hiring a closing attorney varies widely by the state and law firm you choose. You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $3,000 for a simple buy/sell transaction, but keep in mind that this cost is likely to vary depending on your location and the complexities of the closing.
Technically, no, you don't need a lawyer to sell land, but there are some situations when it might be a good idea. You might consider hiring an attorney if you are faced with existing boundary disputes, involved in a sale of land that's partially wetland, or in circumstances concerning tax issues. Specific laws related to land vary by state, but one potential issue is the tax rate, which can differ depending on whether the land can have structures built on it.
Lawyers can assist buyers and sellers in transactions involving bank financing. They can review the fine print, any title insurance declarations, and the mortgage terms. A real estate attorney also will ensure that funds are distributed to the correct parties, especially if there are any outstanding mortgages or liens that need to be paid before the title transfer.