BERYS LAW | Business, Real Estate, Wills/Trusts

Buying commercial property can open the door to long-term income, business expansion, or investment growth—but it also comes with legal risks that can derail even the best-planned deal. Whether you’re a first-time investor or adding to an established portfolio, understanding the most common legal pitfalls helps you protect your money and avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are the top issues to watch out for before signing anything.

1. Skipping a Thorough Title Review

A clean title is the foundation of a safe purchase. If you don’t dig into the property’s history, you might inherit hidden problems like unpaid liens, boundary disputes, easements, or ownership challenges. These issues can slow down development or even spark expensive lawsuits later. Always work with a qualified title company or real estate attorney to run a complete title search—and make sure title insurance is part of your closing package.

2. Overlooking Zoning and Land-Use Restrictions

Just because a building looks ...

Starting a new year always brings a sense of possibility, and one of the smartest ways to set yourself up for stability is by getting your estate plan in order. It’s not just for the wealthy or older adults—anyone with assets, responsibilities, or people who rely on them benefits from a clear, well-built plan. Here’s a practical checklist to help you walk into 2026 feeling ready, protected, and organized.

Review and Update Your Will

If it’s been more than a year since you last looked at your will, now’s a great time to revisit it. Life moves fast—maybe you bought property, welcomed a child, or made major career changes. Your will should reflect what your life looks like today, not three years ago. Make sure your beneficiaries, executors, and instructions still match your goals.

Read more: Things to Consider When Updating Your Estate Plan

Revisit Your Beneficiary Designations

Some of your most important assets—like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and bank accounts—use...

Renting out a property isn’t just about keeping it occupied and profitable—it’s about keeping it safe. Tenants trust that the home they’re living in meets building codes, fire regulations, and basic safety standards. If something goes wrong, you’re the one on the hook legally and financially. The good news? Staying compliant is easier than it sounds when you know what to look for and stay consistent with maintenance.

Here’s how to make sure your rental property checks all the right boxes.

1. Start With a Full Property Inspection

Before welcoming tenants, get a detailed inspection. You can do this yourself if you’re knowledgeable, but hiring a licensed inspector gives you a clearer picture and helps you catch issues you might overlook. They’ll review structural integrity, electrical systems, plumbing, roofing, ventilation, and more. Think of it as your baseline: once you know what needs attention, you can start making fixes.

2. Know the Local Building Codes

Every city has its own s...

Thinking about the future isn’t always comfortable, especially when it involves preparing for the “what ifs.” But if you have children—especially young ones—estate planning is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give them. It’s not just about money or property. It’s about making sure they’re protected, supported, and set up for stability no matter what life brings.

Here are the key pieces every parent should have in place.

1. Choose the Right Guardians

If your children are minors, naming a guardian is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. This person will be responsible for raising your kids if you’re no longer able to. Think about who shares your values, parenting style, and long-term stability. It’s also a good idea to name an alternate guardian in case your first choice can’t serve. And remember: talk to the person you’re choosing. Nobody wants a surprise responsibility of this magnitude.

Read more: What Is Guardianship Planning? - A Comprehensive Guide to Protec...

Living in a community with a homeowners association (HOA) can offer perks—cleaner common areas, well-kept neighborhoods, and shared amenities. But it also comes with rules, and sometimes, fines. While many violations are legitimate, not all HOA penalties are set in stone. As a homeowner, you have the right to question unfair charges and make sure the association follows the law and its own governing documents. Here’s what you can challenge and how to protect yourself in the process.

1. Fines That Aren’t Backed by Written Rules

Your HOA can only fine you for violations that are clearly stated in the community’s governing documents—usually the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, or official policies. If the rule isn’t written down or the fine isn’t authorized, you can dispute it. Ask for a copy of the rule and the section where your supposed violation is defined. If they can’t point to it, the fine may not hold.

2. Fines Issued Without Proper Notice

Most states r...

Contracts might not be the flashiest part of running a business, but they’re one of the most powerful tools you have. Think of them as the backbone of every smooth partnership, project, and transaction. When expectations are clear and responsibilities are spelled out, everyone can do better work with fewer surprises. Here’s a closer look at why contracts matter so much—and why skipping them can cost you more than you think.

1. They Set Clear Expectations

A good contract lays out exactly what each party is supposed to do. It covers deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and standards of quality. When everyone sees the same agreement in writing, it reduces misunderstandings and helps projects stay on track. Instead of relying on memory or verbal promises, you have a solid reference point that keeps things moving smoothly.

2. They Protect Your Business

Contracts act like a safety net. If a client doesn’t pay, a supplier backs out, or a partner doesn’t deliver, the agreement gives you...

Estate planning used to be mostly about physical property—your home, your car, your bank accounts, and the family heirlooms you want to pass down. But today, a large part of your life lives online. From social media accounts to cloud storage, cryptocurrency to online banking, your digital footprint is bigger than you may realize. When those assets are left out of an estate plan, it can create unnecessary stress, delays, and confusion for the people handling your affairs.

Digital assets aren’t always obvious to your family

Most people assume their loved ones will simply “figure it out,” but digital assets often have no physical trail. There’s no paper statement, no safe deposit box, and no stack of documents in a filing cabinet. Without clear instructions, your executor may not even know certain accounts exist. This becomes a major problem if those accounts hold value—like crypto wallets, investment apps, or digital payment platforms.

Even non-financial assets matter. Email accounts,...

Planning for what happens after you're gone isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a fun weekend project, which is why DIY wills can look tempting. They seem quick, cheap, and straightforward—until they’re not. Estate planning attorneys see the fallout from these homemade documents all the time, and the pattern is surprisingly consistent: small mistakes turn into big problems. If you’re thinking about writing your own will, here’s what experts say you should know before you grab a template and fill in the blanks.

The language has to be exact—guesswork isn’t an option

A will is a legal document, and the law doesn’t leave much room for “close enough.” Online templates assume every family looks the same and every situation is simple. In reality, the wording has to be very specific. A single unclear sentence can lead to a court battle or assets going to the wrong person. Estate attorneys spend years learning how to draft language that holds up under scrutiny because judges interpret wills litera...

Buying commercial real estate is a major investment—often involving complex contracts, large sums of money, and long-term financial commitments. While it might be tempting to rely solely on your broker or standard contract templates, overlooking a legal review can cost you far more down the line. Having a lawyer review your commercial property purchase agreement isn’t just a formality—it’s essential protection for your business, your finances, and your future plans.

1. Commercial Contracts Are Complex

Commercial property purchase agreements are not like residential ones. They’re longer, denser, and packed with clauses that can significantly affect your rights and obligations. A lawyer who specializes in commercial real estate understands how to interpret these provisions and spot potential pitfalls.

For instance, certain clauses may allow the seller to back out under specific conditions or limit your recourse if there are undisclosed issues with the property. Without legal expertise...

Selling commercial property can be a long, detailed process—and when a buyer suddenly backs out or fails to deliver on their promises, it can leave you frustrated, uncertain, and potentially out of pocket. Whether it’s a missed deposit, financing issues, or outright withdrawal, knowing how to respond can protect your investment and get your sale back on track.

1. Review the Contract

The first step is to go back to the signed purchase agreement. Commercial real estate contracts often include specific timelines, contingencies, and remedies if one party defaults. Check for:

• Deposit terms: Is there an earnest money deposit, and what conditions allow you to keep it?
• Financing contingencies: Did the buyer’s failure stem from not securing financing within the agreed period?
• Default clauses: These outline what happens if the buyer breaches the agreement—whether that means forfeiting deposits, paying damages, or allowing you to terminate the deal.

If the contract is clear that the buy...