Civil Litigation
Any Case, Large or Small
From individuals to major corporations, we have prevailed on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants.
Our proven litigation experience extends in a broad array of litigated matters, to include the following practice areas:
- Business and Commercial Litigation: transactions, contract disputes, collections.
- Real Estate Litigation: transaction disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosure and eviction proceedings.
- Probate Litigation: will contests, breach of fiduciary duty, claims against the estate.
- Insurance Disputes: bad faith denial of claims, policy exclusions, uninsured motorist coverage.
Wills and Estates
Dying without a last will and testament puts your wealth, assets, and business in jeopardy. Without an estate plan, your assets are split up in probate according to South Carolina law of intestacy. Your estate may be subject to heavy estate taxes and people or organizations you cherish might not inherit the property or assets that you want to give them. We can also help you avoid probate by preparing documents to distribute your real estate and personal property prior to your passing but still allowing you to maintain ownership during your lifetime.
Give your family or loved ones the power of attorney to take care of you in case an accident or medical condition causes mental incapacity. With a durable power of attorney, your trusted representative can handle your property and finances, and can better provide for your living situation. With a medical directive, you can make sure your health care treatment reflects your values, beliefs, and wishes. An advance physician directive also benefits your family and loved ones or your medical power of attorney because it answers some of the most difficult medical decisions and takes it off their shoulders.
- Last Will and Testament
- Codicil to Last Will
- General Durable Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Life Estate Deed
- Joint Right of Survivorship Deed
Contact Murphy Law Firm, LLC today to ensure that your finances, real estate, personal property, and business are distributed per your wishes.
Real Estate
AS YOUR CLOSING ATTORNEY, THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO YOU:
- Performing title searches of properties.
- Ordering surveys of properties.
- Preparing and reviewing all closing and loan documentation.
- Explaining the closing and loan documents at closing.
- Ensuring that all closing funds are collected and properly disbursed.
- Ensuring that all documents are properly executed and, if necessary, recorded.
- Ensuring that all liens to be released are properly released of record.
- Ensuring that all post-closing activities are performed in a timely manner.
By providing these and other services, we endeavor to give our clients the much-needed peace of mind that only experience and time-tested wisdom can bring. We know real estate law, and our passion is enabling our clients to successfully navigate the real estate closing process. Whether your needs are complex and daunting, or mundane and time-consuming, let us lighten your burden and help ensure a smooth process.
Our Recommendation Regarding Title Insurance
We conduct a title search of the property and certify the status of the title based upon our search and review of the public records. Owner's Title Insurance provides a purchaser with additional protection against loss as a result of defects in title, regardless of whether or not such defects can be found through a search of the public records. Defects not discoverable through a title search include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A forged signature in the chain of title;
- Unrecorded easements;
- Improperly indexed conveyances or liens; and
- Unknown heirs of estates in the chain of title.
The title insurance premium is a one-time charge and the owner's policy has no expiration date. Also, the additional cost for Owner's Title Insurance is minimal, especially in cases where the purchaser is borrowing a major portion of the purchase price and the lender requires title insurance to cover the loan amount.
Therefore, we highly recommend Owner's Title Insurance. Unless we hear otherwise from you, we will include the cost of the Owner's Title Insurance on your closing statement. Also, if a new survey is not obtained, we will include the enhanced coverage in your policy.
Multiple Representation Disclosure and Consent
Unless the Seller(s) and Lender have their own attorney, we will be required to perform certain services on behalf of the Seller(s) (i.e. deed preparation, payoff of mortgages, etc.), and we will be required to perform such services as your lender may request. You will be required to sign this at document closing.
Closing Fees
Purchase / Refinance Transactions
- Settlement Fee: $400.00
- Title Examination: $250.00 (Estimate)
- Title Binder Fee $ 100.00
Additional Title Services
The following fees will apply if these additional services are required:
- Power of Attorney Preparation: $75.00 plus recording
- (Seller) Deed Preparation: $200.00 plus recording
- Overnight Courier Fee: $25.00
- Incoming and Outgoing Wire Fee: $25.00 per wire
- Purchase Contract Preparation: $75.00
Recording and Transfer Taxes
- Mortgage/ Deed Recording Fees: $10.00 for the first page and $2.00 each additional page per document.
- (Seller) Documentary Stamps: $3.70 per one thousand dollars of the sales price (round sales price up to the nearest thousand).
Please note all funds for closing must be presented in the form of a wire.
