Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Real Estate and Estate Planning Law Services in Louisville, KY
Since 1975, James L Fine has provided comprehensive legal services across Kentucky, Florida, and Indiana. Our practice focuses on real estate law, estate planning, tax planning, and business formations, combining decades of experience with personalized client attention. James L. Fine, licensed in Kentucky and Florida, brings specialized expertise in real estate closings, title insurance, and complex 1031 exchanges. Our team prioritizes transparency, quick turnaround times, and tailored solutions for residential, commercial, and construction loan transactions. With over 30 years as a title insurance agent for major firms, we maintain deep relationships with lenders, realtors, and local agencies. Our estate planning services leverage an LLM in taxation and practical accounting knowledge to create wills, trusts, and business entities that align with clients' financial goals.We serve clients in Louisville, Oldham, Shelby, and Bullitt counties, as well as Florida and Indiana, offering off-site closings for convenience. Our commitment to clear document explanations and ethical practices distinguishes us from transactional 'assembly line' firms. Supporting our legal work are experienced paralegals who ensure meticulous handling of probate, foreclosures, and real estate documentation. We maintain memberships in the Louisville Bar Association's Real Estate Section and Florida Bar's Real Property Section, reinforcing our industry authority.
Services
Real Estate Closings
Estate Planning
Tax Planning
Business Formations
1031 Exchanges
Foreclosure Services
Title Insurance
Probate Assistance
Commercial Transactions
Seller Representation
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- Licensed legal practice serving Kentucky and Florida since 1975
- Personalized document explanations with no pressure tactics
- Title insurance expertise through major national providers
- Off-site closing services available in multiple states
- LLM-certified tax planning and business structuring experience
Associations and certifications
- Chicago Title
- Old Republic National Title Insurance
- Louisville Bar Association
- Florida Bar
What people say
Clear document explanations
Experienced title insurance handling
Flexible off-site closings
Knowledgeable tax planning
Responsive attorney attention
Services
Real Estate Closings
We conduct residential and commercial real estate closings across Kentucky, Florida, and Indiana. Our services include title insurance issuance, HUD-1 preparation, and contingency resolution for cash, FHA, VA, and conventional transactions. With 30+ years as a Chicago Title agent, we ensure smooth transfers for lenders, realtors, and individual clients.
Estate Planning
Our customized estate plans include wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts, and tax-efficient structures. We help clients preserve assets through living trusts, life insurance trusts, and charitable remainder trusts while ensuring compliance with Kentucky and Florida probate laws.
Business Formations
We establish C/S corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and professional service entities with tax optimization strategies. Our services cover operating agreements, tax ID applications, and structuring for asset protection while meeting Kentucky and Florida regulatory requirements.
1031 Exchanges
As qualified intermediaries, we facilitate tax-deferred exchanges for commercial properties, farms, and residential rentals. Our documentation ensures IRS compliance for clients upgrading investments while deferring capital gains taxes.
Tax Planning
We provide income tax preparation and strategic planning for individuals and businesses. Our LLM-certified expertise optimizes tax positions for real estate transactions, business formations, and estate transfers using current software and regulatory knowledge.
People
James L. Fine
Attorney
Licensed since 1975 in Kentucky and 2006 in Florida, Jim Fine specializes in real estate law, estate planning, and business formations. He holds an LLM in taxation and serves as title insurance agent for major providers.
Morris Cummins
Attorney
With 20+ years in real estate law, Morris Cummins handles transactions and title work. He established a title operation in 1996 and focuses on residential/commercial closings including REO properties and foreclosures.
Whitney Elliott
Legal Assistant
Whitney Elliott supports estate planning and probate services. She brings 12 years of real estate litigation experience and local Louisville knowledge to client case management since joining in 2014.
Susan Higdon
Real Estate Paralegal
Susan Higdon offers 30+ years of real estate paralegal experience. Licensed for Indiana closings, she maintains strong lender relationships and manages transaction documentation for the firm's Kentucky and Indiana clients.
Questions
What areas do you serve for real estate transactions?
We handle closings in Louisville, Oldham, Shelby, and Bullitt counties, plus Florida and Indiana. Off-site services available statewide in these regions.
Can you assist with out-of-state property sales?
Yes, we serve as qualified intermediaries for 1031 exchanges and conduct closings remotely through our mobile services across multiple states.
What estate planning documents do you create?
We prepare wills, revocable/irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, and testamentary trusts tailored to Kentucky and Florida probate requirements.
Are your title insurance rates competitive?
As agent for Chicago Title and Old Republic, we offer standard rates with potential discounts for repeat clients and bundled services.
How quickly can you complete a closing?
Most transactions close within 30-45 days. We prioritize quick turnaround with HUD-1s available for review at least 24 hours before closing.
Do you handle commercial property exchanges?
Yes, we've facilitated 1031 exchanges for shopping centers, apartment complexes, and commercial farms with full IRS compliance documentation.
