We Listen.

Is your property over-assessed?

Have you recently purchased a new house or commercial property? Do you feel like your property taxes are unusually high? Your property may be over-assessed. Do not be fooled by your “assessed” value. In the suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the assessment is supposed to be a percentage of the fair market value; in other …

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My Customer is Bankrupt and the Trustee is trying to take my money!

Most business owners have experienced a client going through bankruptcy. If a client goes into bankruptcy and still owes you money, then you usually accept the loss and move on. However, in some cases Creditors actually get sued for the return of money by the Trustee. They don’t understand how this can happen; because they …

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Can you Protect your Claim in Bankruptcy?

Not all debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy. The key is to know which claims can be exempted from discharge and then what steps you, as a creditor, need to take to preserve your non-dischargeable claim. First — Determine if your Claim is Secured or Unsecured: It is important to know if your claim is secured …

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Do I Really Need a Survey?

Time and again, we are engaged to assist clients in solving real estate problems that could have been discovered – and perhaps avoided — if they had surveyed the property before they bought: Like the homeowner who discovered a good part of his yard and part of his house were actually outside his lot and …

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Corporate Law

FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS Family limited partnerships are being used by many people in their estate planning as a method by which a senior generation can give away income producing property which has a likelihood of appreciation and yet control distribution and cash flow from the assets. When the family limited partnership technique is …

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Estate Administration

FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS Q: I established a living trust for my benefit and my wife’s benefit during our lifetimes. Can I transfer our real estate into this trust without incurring a realty transfer tax? A: This questions hits upon a very problematic area of trust planning. Many people in recent years have begun using …

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How long does probate take?

The length of the probate process in Pennsylvania (PA) or other states varies greatly from estate to estate. The determining factors include the assets involved in the estate, the experience of the Executor/Administrator and counsel and the ease in dealing with the beneficiaries. Contrary to common belief, the process is rarely impacted by the actual …

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Disappearing Coverage for Mechanics Liens

Purchasers of newly constructed or renovated residential or commercial properties, as well their lenders, must more cautious about mechanics lien issues than in the past. As a result of the economic recession (prompting concerns about contractors’ solvency) as well as amendments to Pennsylvania’s Mechanics Lien Law that broadened mechanics lien rights in significant ways, and …

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Surveying the Situation

By: William J. Burke, III You are about to sign an agreement to buy a home, a building lot in the country on which you plan to build your dream home, or maybe an investment property. Should you obtain a survey as part of your “due diligence”? Professional developers almost always obtain a new survey …

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Read Your Title Report!

Whether you are buying a home, a lot on which you hope to build your dream home, an investment property, or land that you hope to develop, the quality of title is probably the most important – and often the most misunderstood and overlooked – aspect of the transaction. Everyone knows they should get “clear …

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Sophisticated, Responsive and Focused.

  • “At Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, the client’s objective is never lost in the details and as a result, even complex deals get done quickly and efficiently..."

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  • "Our Trust Department has utilized Unruh Turner Burke & Frees’ expertise for several years to assist our clients with their overall estate plans. They..."

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  • “Over the last 25 years Unruh Turner Burke & Frees has represented our residential building and development enterprise in many capacities including real..."

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  • "Based on my long-term relationship with Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, I can wholeheartedly recommend its services to any business owner who wishes to work with...”

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  • “We recently hired Unruh Turner Burke & Frees to handle a conditional use application for our Chestnut Street Lofts apartment project in downtown West Chester..."

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  • “I have been working with Unruh Turner Burke & Frees for many years. They have provided legal counsel in the areas of Estate Planning, Land Use, Litigation and...”

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  • “I have relied on the firm's legal advice to make critical decisions on handling family wealth and making appropriate decisions for my family's future.”

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  • “… This highly-talented group delivers the highest quality legal work and brings real-world experience in a very cost-effective manner…”

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  • "If there is an issue facing a municipality, Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is the source for sound guidance and direction.”

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  • “…They have provided legal counsel in the areas of Estate Planning, Land Use, Litigation and Real Estate. In every one of those areas I have been blessed with great ...”

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  • "Whether we are competing in a strong market or working through a declining market, it has always been reassuring to know that Unruh Turner Burke & Frees has both..."

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meet our elite team
West Chester, PA
17 West Gay Street
P.O. BOX 515
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 692-1371
Phoenixville, PA
120 Gay Street
P.O. Box 289
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 933-8069