Posted on March 29, 2026 in Arlington Heights Bankruptcy Lawyer

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and there are real legal risks that can catch buyers off guard if they are not prepared. According to the National Association of Realtors' 2025 Deed and Title Fraud Survey, about 63 percent of real estate professionals reported seeing cases of title fraud or deed theft in their market in the past year alone.

Beyond title fraud, buyers face risks from hidden property defects, contract mistakes, zoning issues, and more. Knowing what to watch for before you make an offer can protect your investment and save you from serious problems down the road. If you are buying a home in 2026, the Grayslake, IL real estate lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP can help you navigate the process with confidence.

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 Posted on March 16, 2026 in Foreclosure

Facing foreclosure is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can go through. The fear of losing your home, the pressure of dealing with a lender, and the uncertainty about what comes next can feel like too much to handle at once. A short sale is one option that may help you avoid foreclosure and move forward with more control over the outcome.

If you're exploring your options, our Waukegan, IL foreclosure defense lawyers can help you figure out whether a short sale makes sense for your situation.

What Is a Short Sale and How Does It Work?

A short sale happens when you sell your home for less than what you owe on the mortgage, and your lender agrees to accept that amount to satisfy the debt. It requires lender approval, which means the process takes time and involves negotiation. But for many homeowners, it offers a way out that is less damaging than going through a full foreclosure.

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 Posted on February 27, 2026 in Real Estate

You can cancel a real estate contract without losing your deposit, but only under the right conditions. Whether you get your deposit back depends on when you cancel, why you cancel, and what protections your contract includes.

According to a January 2026 Redfin report, over 16 percent of home purchase agreements nationwide were canceled in December 2025, the highest rate on record. Many of those buyers had a legal path to walk away and keep their money. Others didn't, and they paid for it.

If you're buying or selling property in Lake County and want to know where you stand, our Libertyville, IL real estate lawyers can help you understand your options before a costly mistake happens.

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 Posted on February 13, 2026 in Foreclosure

There are several defenses you may be able to raise in an Illinois foreclosure case, depending on the facts. Illinois uses a court-based foreclosure process, which means the lender must file a lawsuit and prove its case.

If the lender made mistakes or did not follow the required steps, you may be able to challenge the foreclosure or negotiate for more time and better options. Our North Chicago, IL foreclosure defense lawyers help homeowners understand what defenses may apply and what to do next.

As of 2026, many Illinois homeowners are still dealing with missed payments tied to rising costs and changing financial situations. Even if you are behind, you may still have legal defenses worth exploring.

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 Posted on January 30, 2026 in Loan Modification

Federal mortgage data shows that in the second quarter of 2025, lenders completed more than 8,400 loan modifications nationwide. A loan modification can feel like the last chance to save a home. When a request is denied, many homeowners feel stuck and unsure of what went wrong. However, denials are more common than people expect, even when borrowers believe they provided everything required.

As of 2026, lenders continue to use strict rules and financial reviews when deciding whether to approve a loan modification. Understanding why some applications fail is the first step toward figuring out what to do next. Our Grayslake, IL loan modification lawyer can help review a denial and explain whether other options may still exist.

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 Posted on January 14, 2026 in Foreclosure

One of the most stressful questions homeowners ask during foreclosure is when they actually have to leave their home. In Illinois, homeowners usually do not have to move out until the foreclosure case is finished and the court issues an order for possession. This process often takes months, and sometimes longer, depending on what happens in court.

Foreclosure remains a serious issue across the state. In a 2025 report from ATTOM Data Solutions, Illinois continued to see thousands of foreclosure filings, showing that many families are still navigating this process.

As of 2026, Illinois foreclosure cases are still handled through the court system, which means homeowners are given notice, time, and specific legal protections before they must move out. If you are facing foreclosure, our Waukegan, IL foreclosure defense lawyers can help you understand what happens next.

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 Posted on December 26, 2025 in Foreclosure

When people go through tough financial times, some may find it necessary to sell what they own for far less than those assets are worth. When a property is sold for a price that is less than the amount remaining on the mortgage, the transaction is known as a short sale. If you need assistance with a short sale, reach out to a Lake County, IL real estate lawyer today.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we have decades of legal experience, having helped multiple clients with loan modifications, foreclosure defense, and other sensitive issues. We will advise you of your best course of action during a short sale, keeping your future in mind.

Four Requirements for a Short Sale in 2026

A short sale is often a complex undertaking for several reasons. First, selling a house is almost always complicated. Next, since the sale price in a short sale is less than what the owner owes on his or her mortgage, the remaining amount of the loan must be taken into account. Finally, a short sale can only work if each party involved is on the same page regarding the transaction. The most difficult part of the process is often convincing the lender to allow the sale.

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 Posted on December 12, 2025 in Estate Planning

Increasingly, multiple generations of Illinois families are living under one roof. Parents, adult children, and even grandparents are combining households for financial, cultural, or caregiving reasons, but in some cases, this can have devastating consequences. Parents may add adult children or grandchildren to the deed, but how that is done is crucial. In fact, how the deed is titled may well become one of the most important estate planning decisions you will ever make if multiple generations live in your home.

Whether your home is held as tenants in common (TIC) or as joint tenants with right of survivorship can have far-reaching effects, including probate exposure, Medicaid risks, creditor claims, inheritance outcomes, and family conflict. The distinction between TIC and joint tenancy may seem purely technical, but it can profoundly affect family stability and ownership rights. Understanding the differences now can help prevent financial and legal headaches in the future. A knowledgeable Lake Forest, IL estate planning attorney will help ensure your home goes to those you choose.   

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 Posted on November 23, 2025 in Foreclosure

Unfortunately, many Illinois senior citizens have been steered into high-cost mortgages, unfair refinancing deals, or home equity loans they could never realistically repay. Many of these "deals" were cloaked under terms like "no-risk refinancing," "quick cash-outs," or "affordable loans." What these seniors may have ended up with is high-interest mortgages, hidden fees, and monthly payments they could never sustain on a fixed income.

When foreclosure notices begin arriving, most of these senior homeowners blame themselves, unaware they may be victims of unlawful, predatory lending practices. Illinois law offers robust protections for seniors who were misled, exploited, or are victims of predatory lending practices (815 ILCS 123/).

In fact, by challenging the validity of the loan, the lender’s conduct, or the way the mortgage was sold, seniors can often delay or stop foreclosure and potentially negotiate better loan terms. If you are a senior who is the victim of a predatory loan and are now facing foreclosure as a result, you must speak to an experienced Grayslake, IL foreclosure defense lawyer.

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 Posted on November 12, 2025 in Real Estate

For Illinois homebuyers, a bargain price on a fixer-upper can look tempting - until they learn what "as-is" really means. Illinois sellers may assume that labeling a property as-is allows them to walk away clean with no worries about disclosure. It is important for sellers and buyers alike to have a full understanding of what "as-is" really means, and to involve a real estate lawyer in any transactions.

Buyers could inherit costly problems in an as-is sale, while sellers must understand that labeling a property "as-is" does not erase the duty to be honest about known defects. Whether you are selling a fixer-upper or inherited property, or buying without understanding disclosure limits, you could find yourself with a serious problem after the paperwork is signed.  An experienced Waukegan, IL real estate lawyer can help ensure no mistakes are made that can come back to haunt you later on.

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