Jonathan H. Stanwood
Law Offices
Experienced and Compassionate Representation
PRACTICE AREAS
REAL ESTATE
The practice of real estate law can involve a varied and often highly complex set of activities centering on sales and acquisitions, title, land use, environmental, development, leasing, finance, joint ventures, restructuring and workouts, and litigation.
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Sales and Acquisitions: The representation of buyers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of the various kinds of residential properties.
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Title: The examination of title to real estate, evaluation of title exceptions, and negotiation of title insurance policies.
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Litigation: Litigation in the real estate area involves the representations of real estate owners, buyers, sellers, lessors, brokers, lenders, and developers in, among other things, contract disputes, mechanics lien and construction disputes, eminent domain proceedings, title disputes, loan service and foreclosure issues, and bankruptcy.
WILLS & ESTATES
Estate planning is planning for your estate while you are alive and well, if you become incapacitated, and after your death. It involves the management of your assets while you are still alive and the distribution of those assets after you die. This planning allows for the orderly administration and disbursement of your estate, and includes taking actions that will minimize taxes and distribute assets to the appropriate heirs.
Your estate consists of all your property, which includes your house and other real estate; tangible personal property; and intangible property, like insurance, bank accounts, stocks and bonds, pensions, etc.
The elements of an estate plan include a will; assignment of power of attorney; a living will or health-care proxy; and for some people, a trust.
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When you are setting up an estate plan, ask yourself the following questions:
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Whom do you want to inherit your assets?
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Whom do you want handling your financial affairs if you are ever incapacitated?
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Whom do you want making medical decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself?
BANKRUPTCY
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Foreclosures: Is your property in Philadelphia listed for a sheriff's sale? Click here for listings If your property is on the list, or you are not sure, contact us as soon as possible - we will act quickly to restore your rights and more importantly, your peace of mind.
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Evictions: A bankruptcy can be promptly filed protect you against some eviction proceedings. While the protections afforded to people have changed, my experience in state court and the Bankruptcy court can be effectively used to keep you in your place. Stop letting the creditors call the shots and keep you awake at night.
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Your credit: A bankruptcy filing may be the best thing you can do for your credit because under the bankruptcy code, you will be given a "fresh start." Did you know that there are 3 major credit reporting agencies which compile your credit score and other information?
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Under Federal law you are entitled to obtain a free copy of your credit report once per year (learn more here). This is available at www.annualcreditreport.com .
A bankruptcy can filed at any time to automatically protect your assets and your family's home or residence. It may be what you need to get your life back under control and get a fresh start. Don't let the creditors push you around, take advantage of the bankruptcy code; don't make a move with any debt until you speak to with us. We help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy code.
The United States Supreme Court made this point in a 1934 decision: "It gives to the honest but unfortunate debtor...a new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort, unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of preexisting debt." Local Loan Co. v. Hunt, 292 U.S. 234, 244 (1934).
Whether you agree with this or not, the point is that bankruptcy is not the end of the world for anyone, quite the opposite. For you it can be a chance to begin again because a primary goal of the bankruptcy laws is to provide people a financial "fresh start" from burdensome debts.
Ready to get started? Maybe you want to consider a non-bankruptcy option. We are a debt relief agency.
FRANCHISING
For all franchiser clients, we provide the full range of legal services:
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Preparation and registration of FDDs
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Preparation of a detailed memorandum analyzing the franchisor’s current disclosure document and agreements along with proposed modifications
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All matters relating to franchise law compliance and the development of an in-house compliance department
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Negotiating and closing franchise sales
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All matters relating to the franchiser-franchisee relationship, including dispute avoidance and resolution
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Drafting any and all agreements
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The best methods to protect and license trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property
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All real estate matters, including property acquisition, leases and subleases and drafting agreements with third parties
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Methods to minimize legal and business risk exposure in connection with the franchise system
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The development of the optimal corporate structure for enabling the franchisor and its affiliates to separate their various streams of revenue from one another, thereby shielding valuable assets from possible litigation
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Day-to-day business counseling
We represent both start-up and early stage franchisors providing a full range of services in all aspects of developing, registering, offering for sale, operating, restructuring and expanding franchisor businesses. We have represented clients who offer franchises nationally in a variety of industries, including restaurant services, home maintenance and improvement, hotel and lodging, business services, technology, real estate, pet care, professional services and child care services.
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For start-ups: We assist in (i) determining whether franchising is the proper method to further develop a business, (ii) creating a franchise program, (iii) drafting franchise disclosure documents (FDD) and other franchise-related agreements, and (iv) preparing and filing disclosure documents for state registration where necessary.
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For existing franchisers: We conduct a comprehensive review of current disclosure document(s) and related agreements to (i) make certain that the agreements are current and state of the art both legally and technically, (ii) ensure that the franchiser has complied with all state and federal regulations and (iii) create agreements that help insulate the franchiser from problems that often arise during the franchiser-franchisee relationship.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Criminal defense law consists of the legal protections afforded to people who have been accused of committing a crime. Law enforcement agencies and government prosecutors have extensive resources at their disposal. Without adequate protections for the accused, the balance of power within the justice system would become skewed in favor of the government.
As it is, fair treatment for criminal defendants often depends as much upon the skill of their defense attorney as it does the substantive protections contained in the law.
Reasons to Hire a Defense Attorney - The criminal justice system is not designed for people to represent themselves. If you have been arrested, you need an attorney to stand up for your rights, fight back against overzealous police officers, and obtain the best result possible. Contact a criminal lawyer for more information. Our firm will assist with: Securing a Release from Jail Pending Trial, Plea Bargaining Strategies, Presenting a Winning Defense to the Jury
Defense attorneys know how to use constitutional guarantees to the advantage of their clients. For example, all criminal prosecutions are based upon evidence gathered by the government. This may include physical items of evidence, witness statements, confessions, drug and alcohol tests, and so forth. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment) prohibits the police from using unreasonable searches and seizures to gather evidence. If they do, a defense attorney will ask the court to suppress that evidence so it cannot be used at trial.
