Sonya M. Sumner - Your New Jersey Real Estate Attorney

All New Jersey real estate matters at Sumner Law LLP are handled by Sonya M. Sumner, who brings a breadth of experience in residential and commercial transactions throughout New Jersey. From first-time homebuyers to complex commercial deals, Sonya provides the responsive, partner-level attention that keeps transactions moving efficiently.

Our One-Time Rollover Policy

Pay upfront and if your transaction fails, we'll apply your full fee to one additional transaction within 12 months. This removes the hesitation to engage early - whether you're preparing to buy or preparing to sell. Most attorneys don't offer this protection, but we believe you should never wait to engage counsel out of fear of paying twice.

Why Build Your Legal Team Early?

For Buyers: Having your attorney identified and engaged before you start making offers means faster contract reviews, immediate availability for negotiations, and no delays when you need to move quickly in a competitive bidding situation.

For Sellers: Pre-engaging your attorney allows for proactive document preparation, immediate response to buyer attorney requests, and seamless coordination throughout the listing and sale process.

Sonya represents buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey, including Princeton, Skillman, Montgomery, Trenton, Hamilton, Morristown, Parsippany, Madison, New Brunswick, Edison, East Brunswick, Toms River, Jersey Shore, Freehold, Red Bank, Somerville, Franklin Township, and surrounding areas.

Residential Real Estate

Buying or selling a home involves complex legal documents and significant financial risk. We provide thorough representation for:

  • Home Purchases - Contract review, negotiation, and closing representation
  • Home Sales - Seller representation and transaction management
  • Title Examination - Ensuring clear title and resolving any issues
  • Closing Representation - Full representation at the closing table
  • First-Time Homebuyers - Extra guidance for navigating your first purchase

Residential Real Estate Legal Fees - New Jersey

We believe in transparent, predictable pricing for residential real estate transactions. Our fee structure is designed to provide value and clarity from the start of your transaction.

Standard Legal Fee: $1,850.00

Our flat legal fee covers comprehensive representation for your residential real estate transaction in New Jersey, including contract review, attorney review period negotiations, title examination, and closing preparation.

Closing Attendance Policy:

INCLUDED in flat fee: Attendance at closing for buyer clients when the closing office is within 20 miles of our Princeton office.

NOT INCLUDED (hourly rate applies):

  • Seller clients: It is customary in New Jersey that sellers do not attend closing. If attendance is specifically requested by a seller client, this requires additional hourly fee.
  • Distant closings: Buyer closings where the closing office is more than 20 miles from our Princeton office require additional hourly fee for travel time and attendance.
Payment Options:
Option 1: Pay at Signing

Pay the full $1,850 fee when you sign the retainer agreement. The fee is deemed earned upon payment.

Benefit: If your transaction fails for any reason, we'll roll over the full $1,850 towards your next transaction within 12 months.

Option 2: Pay at Closing

Pay the $1,850 fee at closing. Note: The fee is due on the scheduled closing date regardless of whether closing occurs.

Important: If you choose this option and the transaction fails, fees vary based on when the deal fails (see below).

Fees for Failed Transactions (Pay-at-Closing Option Only):
During Attorney Review Period: $975.00

Covers contract review and attorney review period work

After Attorney Review, Before Inspection Resolution: $1,475.00

Includes additional transaction coordination and documentation

After Inspection Resolution, Before Closing: $1,675.00

Covers substantial closing preparation and coordination work

Rollover Policy:

If you pay upfront and your transaction fails, we'll roll over the full fee to your next transaction if executed within 12 months. The rollover extends to one additional transaction only.

Additional Services (Hourly Rate):

Certain complex matters require additional time beyond our standard services and are billed at our hourly rate:

  • Resolving title problems and defects
  • Transferring solar energy credits
  • Negotiating and drafting use and occupancy agreements
  • Cohabitation agreements
  • 1031 exchanges and tax-deferred transactions
  • Litigation arising from the transaction
  • Other complex issues requiring unusual time and effort

Questions about fees? We're happy to discuss our fee structure and payment options during your consultation. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal representation with complete transparency about costs.

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial property transactions require careful attention to detail and strategic negotiation. Our services include:

  • Commercial Property Purchases and Sales - Due diligence, contract negotiation, and closing
  • Commercial Lease Negotiation - Protecting tenant and landlord interests
  • Due Diligence - Comprehensive property and title analysis
  • Development Projects - Legal support for property development
  • Zoning Matters - Navigating local land use regulations
  • 1031 Exchanges - Tax-deferred property exchanges

Real Estate Litigation

When disputes arise, we provide aggressive representation to protect your property rights:

  • Contract Disputes - Breach of purchase agreements and related claims
  • Boundary and Easement Disputes - Resolving property line conflicts
  • Title Defects - Quiet title actions and title insurance claims
  • Landlord-Tenant Matters - Evictions, lease disputes, and security deposits
  • Construction Disputes - Defects, delays, and contractor issues
  • Fraud and Misrepresentation - Disclosure violations and seller fraud

Our Approach

We understand that real estate matters require both legal knowledge and practical business sense. We work closely with clients, real estate agents, lenders, and title companies to ensure smooth transactions and protect your investment. Our responsive communication means you're never left wondering about the status of your transaction.

From first-time homebuyers to experienced commercial investors, we tailor our approach to each client's needs and goals, providing the level of attention and care that every real estate transaction deserves.