ABOUT | C&D Law

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

C&D represents Sellers, Buyers, Investors and Lenders, in all aspects of real estate transactions, both residential and commercial, transferring and/or re-financing properties (e.g. offer to purchase, purchase & sale agreement; closing, and recording). C&D attorneys have handled thousands of real estate transactions on Cape Cod dating back to the 1970s.

ZONING/LAND USE MATTERS

C&D represents Individuals and Entities in developing and implementing their plans for a new or altered structure on, or use of, their residential or commercial property and/or counseling regarding third party actions affecting their property. We regularly work alongside architects, surveyors, and engineers in the planning phase, prepare and file the appropriate documents with the operative authority, and appear in front of town committees and boards (e.g. town Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Board of Health) to obtain the necessary approvals (e.g. licenses, permits, orders of condition).

WEALTH-ASSET PRESERVATION
(aka ESTATE PLANNING)

C&D assists clients in devising and implementing estate planning techniques designed to: (a) protect and preserve their wealth (e.g. house, finances, business interests) during their lifetime; and (b) quickly and efficiently transfer their assets to a desired recipient at death while minimizing estate taxes and administrative costs. These Estate Plans involve both planning for management of assets during a client's life as well as for the distribution of a client's property upon death. To achieve the clients’ desired results, C&D routinely drafts wills, living wills, trusts, powers of attorney, declaration of homestead and health care proxy documentation, and/or modifies ownership interests and/or beneficiary designations.

PROBATE OF ESTATES

C&D is retained regularly to advise and assist a relative/close friend through the process of handling the estate of a deceased loved one. C&D determines which assets are not subject to the Probate Court’s jurisdiction and therefore can be distributed more easily. As to the remaining assets: (a) if there is a Will, C&D petitions the Probate Court to appoint the Personal Representative and allow the Will, a legal process often involving the preparation and filing of appropriate documentation, identification and appraisal of property, determination/payment of estate taxes and debts, and distribution of estate assets; or (b) if there is no Will, C&D assists family members in proceedings before the Probate Court to determine the handling of the estate pursuant to the operative intestacy laws.

CIVIL LITIGATION / DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES

C&D litigators provide practical, cost-effective and results-oriented dispute resolution and/or litigation services for our clients, often involving disputes concerning business matters (e.g. vendor, customer and/or shareholder relationships), employment issues (e.g. employment contracts, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, fair employment protections and wage and hour laws), real estate, landlord-tenant, and trusts/estates. We have successfully resolved disputes through the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (e.g. mediation, arbitration) and, when necessary, state and federal courts or agencies.

BUSINESS FORMATION AND OPERATION

C&D represents businesses and business owners in wide-ranging legal issues such as entity formation (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust), employment matters, sales and/or acquisitions of assets or business interests, business contracts and business succession.

ABOUT Crowell & Donovan Law, LLC (“C&D”), located in Harwich Port, concentrates its practice in the following areas to provide you the specialized, in-depth knowledge and expertise required to efficiently and effectively provide the legal services you require.