Real Estate Attorney Daniel J. Byrnes is Licensed in NY and NJ, Serving Staten Island For Over 10 Years
Home Buyer’s Check List | ||||||
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1. Pre-purchase considerations | 2. Home Inspection | 3. Purchase contract | 4. Cancellation Rights | 5. Title Examination | 6. Closing Documents | 7. Closing Costs |
Who Is Daniel J. Byrnes?
Daniel J. Byrnes, Esq. is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. He is working as a Staten Island real estate attorney for over 10 years now. Mr. Byrnes is a native Staten Islander, who proudly serves his clients which are members of the community in which he lives. Mr. Byrnes is an alumni of St. Joseph by the Sea, St. John’s University, and is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.
Affiliations and Memberships
- Sergeants Benevolent Association – Delegate
- Holy Name Society
- Richmond County Bar Association
- Former member of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. I will be more than happy to assist on any real estate attorney help you need. Give us a call today.
What Should You Know About Buying a Home?
Home ownership can provide you with many benefits: secure shelter, a long-term investment and tax advantages. However, a home is also a major financial commitment. There are ways to avoid costly mistakes that can strain your budget and your patience. This pamphlet contains tips to help you avoid problems when buying a home.
A lawyer can help you through the home buying process by preparing or reviewing the purchase contract, advising you about financing and title insurance, answering your legal and tax questions, and arranging for the documents necessary to complete the purchase. When you first visit a lawyer, you can ask for an estimate of legal fees and closing costs.
You should consult a lawyer before you sign a contract to buy a home. Although a printed form may be used for the purchase contract, your lawyer can make changes that protect you. For example, a change in the form may give you the right to cancel the purchase (and get a refund of your deposit) if you obtain unsatisfactory inspection report.

A will avoids costs and complications for your heirs when you die. Besides providing instructions about the disposition of your property—like your home, car, investments and jewelry—your will can provide instructions for selection of an executor for your estate, and appointment of a guardian for your children. Without a will, your property will be distributed according to state law and a court may select an administrator for your estate and a guardian for your minor children. I can help you prepare a valid will that ensures your wishes and intentions are carried out while reducing the time and expense of handling your estate.
If you die without a will
If you leave no will, you will have given up your right to decide who inherits your property. Your property will be distributed according to state law, which might be quite different from your preferences. And without a will, you can’t disinherit heirs. If you leave no will, you also lose the opportunity to select a Guardian for any minor children and an executor for your estate. Court-appointed administrators and guardians may not be the family member or friend that you would have chosen to handle your affairs.
Dying without a will can be costly and may complicate the transfer of your property to your heirs. For example, the estate may have to pay bond premiums if there is no will stating that you don’t require executors and guardians to post a bond. In addition, estate administration proceedings without a will may delay transfer of property to your heirs.
I have a will. Do I need a lawyer to make changes?
You may need to change your will if you move to a new state, marry, divorce, have a child, acquire substantial property, or suffer the loss of a loved one. Tax law changes may also require a will update. Read your will at least once a year to consider changes. You can make the changes by writing a new will or by preparing an amendment to an existing will called a codicil. A new will is best if there are many changes. A codicil may be appropriate for a small change, but it must be made with the same formalities as a new will. Crossing out or writing inserts onto your will might make the entire will invalid.
Appointing an Executor
You should appoint an executor in your will. An executor locates heirs, lists property, pays debts, and distributes property to your heirs. A relative or friend can serve as your executor, but you should consider using a professional executor (such as a bank or trust company) if you have a large or complicated estate. An executor should be someone who is familiar with managing property, financial matters, and record-keeping. Before naming an executor, confirm that the person is willing to serve. Your lawyer can help you select the best executor. Your will can state that the executor is not required to furnish a bond, thus saving your estate this expense.
Appointing a Guardian
If you have children under 18 years old at your death, you should appoint a guardian in your will. Otherwise, if you and your spouse die at the same time, without such appointment, a court will select a guardian to care for your children and manage their inheritance until they become adults. You can create a trust to control the property transferred to your children. A trust is useful if you are concerned that the children may lack the maturity to handle their inheritance after age 18.
Living Wills
Today’s advanced medical technology may result in your facing the possibility of being subjected to various invasive medical procedures, particularly life support systems, which may serve no purpose other than to prolong the process of dying. But each of us has the right to state his or her wishes in this regard, now, while our faculties are still in command and when our judgment will not be challenged.
A Living Will is a legal document in which you, as an adult who is now competent, can state your wishes regarding your future health care. It is used by those persons who want to express their feelings about the withholding or the withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment that prolongs the process of dying. Many persons want to make clear their objection to unwanted medical measures in advance; others wish to state that they favor measures to have all available kinds of life-sustaining treatment administered.
The Living Will is intended to anticipate the situation wherein you might be in an incurable or an irreversible mental or physical condition, with no reasonable expectation of recovery. Your instructions are usually intended to apply if you are in any of the following states:
- in a terminal condition;
- permanent unconsciousness (persistent vegetative state) or
- Conscious but with irreversible brain damage and will never regain the ability to make decisions and/or express your wishes.
The Living Will can also be used to provide for any expression whatsoever of your wishes as to health care and treatment. A Living Will is sometimes called an Advance Directive for Health Care, or a Health Care Declaration.
Health Care Proxy
What is a Health Care Proxy?
A Health Care Proxy is a document which allows you, a competent adult, to appoint another person as “ agent” to make decisions for you regarding your health care in the event you lose your decision making capability or the ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of health care decisions. The Proxy can be general and apply to all medical decisions, or it can impose limitations and spell out specific instructions.
When does a Health Care Proxy become effective?
A health care proxy is activated only upon a determination by the principal’s attending physician, that the principal has sustained loss of his or her capacity to make such health care decisions. The health care agent cannot act under the proxy until a doctor has made a determination.
Can your health care agent make all medical decisions for your when authorized to act?
YES. Your agent can make decisions in accordance with your wishes, including your religious and moral beliefs, if known to your agent, or, if your agent does not know your views, in accordance with your best interest. However, in regard to the administration of artificial feeding (nutrition and hydration) your agent must have specific knowledge of your wishes, otherwise the agent alas no authority to make decisions regarding these procedures.
Should you execute both a Living Will and a Health Care Proxy?
YES. The Living Will is your own expression of your attitudes and wishes about your health care. This instrument is especially important if you do not have a person to appoint as your Health Care Proxy, or if the person you have appointed is not available. The Health Care Proxy is important because it names your selection of the person who is to make decisions on your behalf I you cannot do so. You will want to have your health care agent communicate the view expressed in the Living Will to your physician to be sure the physician understands your wishes.
In New York State, the Health Care Proxy is statutorily recognized. By specifically providing in the Health Care Proxy statute that a person can specify his or her own wishes in a separate document, it appears that the New York legislation invites persons to also write a Living Will.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.
Closing Costs for Residential Real Estate Purchases and Sales
Although most of us have heard the phrase “closing costs,” we do not always understand why they can amount to $10,000 or more. Even after receiving a Good Faith Estimate from a mortgage lender, it is not always clear where the money is going. Closing costs are comprised of bank charges, which are paid to the bank, and title charges which are paid to the title company. Besides varying greatly some are discretionary, meaning the lender or title company can waive them.
Title Charges
Seller’s Costs
Bank Charges
Over 7000 clients! Let’s hear what they say
We love our clients and are fully dedicated to keeping their trust by offering the One on One personal attention their need!
Dan helped me through buying my home. Dan and his staff were easy to work with and returned all my calls promptly. I highly recommend using Dan Byrnes for your home closing.
I purchased a condo an 11 year old condo in South Beach and Dan explained the entire contract to me in regular terms. Even after closing, when I was preparing a letter to Wintrust outlining what the loan processor had put us through, Dan took interest in the communication and followed up when we received a reply (and compensation) from Wintrust. He repeatedly went above and beyond typical “flat rate” service. I’d work with him again in a heartbeat.
I knew I was in good hands. Daniel J. Byrnes made me feel like family. His top concern was for me to calm down and told me there is no reason to panic. He put to solution in front of me, Dan just knew exactly what to do and he explained it to me. I was actually surprised about how quickly he figured it out.
My family and I have worked with Daniel Byrnes on two different real estate deals and have had nothing short of an excellent experience. He is incredibly clear, concise, and supportive all-the-while ensuring that all of our questions were answered throughout the entire process. I highly recommend Daniel to anyone looking for buying or selling a home in the Staten Island Area.
Staten Island Real Estate Lawyer
At the law offices of Daniel J. Byrnes, we stress quality over quantity.
We’re here to provide the One on One personal attention you need.

Licensed
Daniel J. Byrnes is licensed
to practice law in New York
and New Jersey.

About Daniel J. Byrnes
Mr. Byrnes is a native Staten Islander, who proudly serves his clients which are members of the community in which he lives.

Contact Us
4459 Amboy Rd #1, Suite 2
Staten Island, NY, 10312-3863
Tel: 718.967.5000
Richmond County Real Estate Attorney
Daniel J. Byrnes, Esq. is a solo-practitioner who services both individual and corporate clients. His law practice focuses on Residential Real Estate transactions, Will preparation, Trusts & Estate work and Probate matters. In each of these areas he stresses quality not quantity – providing “one on one” personal attention, offering professional services, quality advice and practical solutions to all of his client’s needs.
We understand that not everyone’s lifestyle can accommodate the 9-5 corporate schedule so we offer our clients evening and Saturday appointments.
Mr. Byrnes will personally guide you through every step of your legal matter and promptly return all phone calls and/or emails. He guarantees that all phone calls are personally handled and your case will not be banished to a paralegal or receptionist.