Bill Daughtry, Attorney at Law, LLC

This is a reminder that we have a paved ramp and handrails at the side entrance to our office. Please don’t use the front steps unless you’re confident that you can climb them safely. We’re also willing to take documents to your vehicle (and do virtual meetings and closings if you’re comfortable with electronic security and privacy) if you have health concerns about entering our office. Please call ahead of time for special accommodations. We continue to sanitize door knobs and conference room furniture between clients, for your safety and ours. We’re willing to wear masks upon your request. Stay well.

Congratulations to former Daughtry Law legal assistant Kenia Martinez on earning her BSN degree from Augusta University!

Many of you have received incomplete information about Court closings and government closings. Certain Court proceedings are currently being postponed, and local government offices are closed to the public or by appointment only to avoid a significant number of people coming into contact with each other. However, the local Court system is still in operation, and much of that work can be handled electronically or remotely. My staff and I at Daughtry Law remain open, while ...monitoring state and local advisories regarding COVID-19 and implementing CDC recommendations. I prefer to consult with clients by phone during this time where possible. If you visit our office, I hope you understand that we won’t shake your hand, we’ll sanitize our hands before and after meeting with you, and we’ll ask you to sanitize before you leave our office. If we simply need a signature from you, please call the office and we’ll be glad to take the documents out to your vehicle for signature. We continue to close real estate transactions every day. As of this morning’s briefing, every Clerk of Court office in the state is still accepting and indexing real estate filings (at least electronic filings). If that changes, our title insurance carrier has developed a gap coverage procedure if the parties are willing to enter into indemnity agreements. I’ve only heard of 2 Tax Commissioner offices in the state closing, but neither of those offices affect my practice. Some lenders and lienholders are under work-at-home orders, so we anticipate possible delays in receiving payoffs due to that reason. Real estate lawyers have also been asked to be on heightened alert for wire fraud and other types of fraud which are common during times of national crisis, and that is another reason we may experience slight delays. Stay well, let us know if you need anything, and please call before you come.

Merry Christmas!