Attorney Franco is a long-time resident and business owner in Mansfield, Ohio and practices mainly in the areas of estate planning, probate, small business, taxation, and real estate law. Evening and weekend hours are available by appointment. 

Practice Areas Include:

Litigation

Attorney Franco represents clients involved in real estate and business litigation.  Though the goal is always to avoid litigation where possible, when necessary the firm handles cases such as foreclosures, quiet title actions, land sale proceedings, breach of contract disputes, employment related issues, etc.

Business Planning

Representation available for a variety of small business concerns including new start-ups, corporate governance, contract negotiations, drafting and review of articles and agreements, commercial leases, employment agreements, tax planning and the winding down of business.  Providing client-centered, cost-effective services to help your business succeed.  Proper business planning at all stages of the business cycle can help avoid costly litigation and adverse tax consequences down the road.

Estate Planning

Assisting clients with all aspects of estate planning, including wills, trusts, and guardianships, as well as health care and financial directives such as medical powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, and living wills.  If you own property, have children, have recently been married or divorced, or wish to make a special bequest to a friend or relative, you should make or update your estate plan.  The goal is to make sure that your property is distributed in an efficient manner according to your wishes.

Real Estate

Providing advice and representation to owners and renters of residential and commercial property.  Assistance available for buying, selling, or leasing real estate; boundary disputes; landlord-tenant disputes; mortgage modification negotiations; foreclosures; and many other issues related to real property.  The best time to seek legal advice is before you enter into a real estate transaction, but its never to late to discuss your situation with an attorney.

Foreclosures: Before you enter into a "work-out" plan with a lender, you should know that in most cases the lender has no duty to actually offer a permanent modification and should you be denied after completing the plan, you could find that you owe more than you did at the start and that you are in more danger of losing your home.  You should consult with your attorney before agreeing to a "work-out" plan. 

Eminent Domain: If your property is taking for "public use" you are constitutionally entitled to just compensation.  The law also provides protections with regard to surveys, geological studies, and appraisals.  You are also entitled to notice of the the appropriating agency's intent to acquire the property and an "good faith offer" to purchase the property before they commence with an appropriation case. The right time to discuss eminent domain issues with an attorney is upon your first contact with the appropriating agency.