PancoastLaw.com

Thomas M. Pancoast

Attorney-at-Law

"Deed Retrieval" Scam!!

Here’s a good one! One of the more recent scams is sent unsolicited to recent real estate purchasers after closing. The solicitation, which may come from something like "Secured Document Services" or "Record Retrieval Department," offers to provide the purchaser with a copy of the deed to the property that was just purchased. The solicitation, which has an official looking appearance, states that this will provide evidence that the property was indeed transferred to the letter's recipient for a "processing fee" of approximately $87.

First of all, do you really question whether your closing attorney recorded your deed? If so, go to http://nhdeeds.com/ and look for yourself. Secondly, the solicitation itself is something of a confirmation that your deed was recorded, since the scammer gets your name and address from the records in the Registry of Deeds. Thirdly, if you are in a hurry, you can order your own copy from the Register of Deeds for a dollar or two per page. Finally, a little patience will usually be rewarded when your closing attorney sends you your original deed shortly after recording.

Home Sweet Home!

Thinking of deeding the family homestead to the next generation as a quick and easy way to beat the tax man, avoid probate or save the property from nursing home bills? Think again, and read more here.

43 years representing my friends and neighbors in the North Country.

My Practice

I conduct a general practice, although my areas of concentration are those suggested by the navigation buttons located to the left. I have been practicing law in the North Country since moving to Littleton in 1970. I have been a sole practitioner since 1973. My office has been in my home since 1979.

I utilize the latest forms of technology, and do all of my work myself. Some clients might feel more comfortable with a large firm and the varied resources they can bring to bear on a particular problem; others prefer the personal involvement and the total confidentiality of my approach.

As a sole practitioner, I enjoy working on transactions and legal problems for a limited number of clients who value my personal attention to them and my attention to detail in dealing with their legal matters. You can learn more about my approach by reviewing the articles I have written which are summarized in the left frame and others linked to the pages to which the navigation buttons will take you.

A Little About Me

I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1966 with a degree in electrical engineering magna cum laude, and received my law degree from Yale University in 1969.

In earlier years I served on the Littleton Planning Board, and I was elected to the school board in Littleton and moderator of the annual town meeting in the small town of Easton outside of Littleton.

I served as a director of The Littleton Savings Bank, later The Saver's Bank, northern New Hampshire's largest mortgage lender, from 1976-1990; for 26 years I served on the New Hampshire Board of Bar Examiners with responsibility for writing, researching and grading the real estate question on the semi-annual bar exam taken by all new lawyers seeking admission to the New Hampshire Bar; I have testified as an expert witness in real estate cases; and I built, operated and eventually sold the North Country's first FM radio station.

My longtime involvement in the community, my focus on real estate, my experience in starting, running and selling a local business, and my solid legal training and extensive experience provide a valuable resource for my clients.

How To Contact Me

I am a great fan of technology. I find e-mail a very efficient way to communicate. If you call me, I will answer my own phone, but there is a chance you will encounter my voice mail, as I work alone. Please do not hesitate to leave a message. I monitor e-mail, fax and voice mail regularly.

IMPORTANT:
Simply contacting me or any other attorney by letter, e-mail, fax or telephone does not establish an attorney-client relationship. The Rules of Professional Conduct by which I am bound require my consideration of many factors, including possible conflicts of interest, before the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Therefore, it is important that you NOT include any facts concerning the proposed representation or confidential information in the communication. This is so that you will not lose any rights you may have to protect such facts and information from disclosure to adverse parties. As a general rule, your communications are protected by the attorney-client privilege only if I have agreed to represent you. Please limit your initial communication with me to an identification of the other parties involved (so that I may determine that I have no conflict of interest) and a general description of the matter; e.g., purchase of real estate, formation of limited liability company, drafting a will, boundary line conflict, dissolution of partnership, probate contest, etc. (so that I may understand the general nature of representation you require).


Telephone: 603-444-7764
Fax: 603-444-4444
Office location and mailing address: 141 School Street; Littleton, NH 03561-4822
E-mail: info@pancoastlaw.com