Real Estate Law

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Real Estate Law is a primary concentration area of the Law Offices of Ralph J. Schumann. The firm handles residential and commercial transactions of all types, short sales, foreclosure defense, as well as loan modifications for clients. Schumann has been named a “Top 10” LEADING LAWYER in the area of Real Estate Law: Residential and is a Director and Past President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA). Schumann is also Past Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Real Estate Law Section Council.

Schumann is a Member of the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors Broker-Lawyer Committee, and serves as attorney Member of the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract Drafting Committee. He is currently working on the new 8.0 version of that form contract.

He is also a Title Examiner and licensed Title Agent. He has authored multiple chapters in legal treatises regarding real estate law and is a frequent speaker at seminars regarding real estate issues.

To access a brief bio on Ralph J. Schumann and the firm's real estate practice.

LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES: With the changes to leasing in Chicago and Cook County, it is important to stay abreast of developments. To access and download a Cook County Lease, click on: Cook County Lease 2022.

METHODS OF HOLDING TITLE: A great deal of confusion exists regarding the various methods of holding title and the best mechanism to accomplish goals regarding property ownership. Ralph Schumann has authored a chapter for IICLE's Residential Real Estate on Forms of Holding Title, and recently participated in the taping of a television program for the ISBA's "Illinois Law" program series on the same topic. Residential property need not be held by a married couple, for example, as joint tenants. While one of the best methods of avoiding the cost and delay of probate is to hold title to residential real estate in a revocable living trust, more protection against creditors can at least be had under Illinois law by holding title as Tenants by the Entirety.

Download an updated Primer on Tenancy By The Entirety.

Schumann recently spoke at a NIU Law Review Symposium on The Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis with a panel of national speakers on the topic of "Foreclosure Defense and Alternatives: Litigation Steps, Practice Suggestions and Recent Developments."

Download a copy of the handout from the seminar: NIU Schumann Handout - Foreclosure Defense and Alternatives, including Short Sales.

Schumann recently spoke at a seminar sponsored by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) on Mortgage and Financial Outlook: Foreclosure Defense and Short Sales.

Download a copy of the handout from the seminar: IICLE Schumann Handout.

Schumann also recently spoke at a seminar sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on New Regulations and RESPA Changes.
Download a copy of the handout from the seminar: Schumann New Regulations Changes Handout.

Download and access a Memo discussing the pros and cons of making Counter-proposals in a real estate transaction: Counter-Offer Memorandum.

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