Lawyer of Firm Description

About Horne & Childs — General Practice White Plains New York

General practice White Plains legal matters — particularly real estate transactions and closings — demand an attorney who combines Westchester County expertise with responsive, client-centered communication. Horne & Childs, located at 399 Knollwood Rd in White Plains, New York, has served buyers and sellers throughout Westchester and NYC for decades. Attorneys Ron and Brett Childs handle residential closings, co-op and condo transactions, refinancing, and complex contract negotiations, building multi-generational client relationships along the way. Those searching for a reliable White Plains attorney focused on real estate find that Horne & Childs earns near-universal praise for its thoroughness and client education approach. One long-term client described representing them across three transactions, each one better than the last.

Brett Childs has built a particular following among first-time homebuyers who value his patient explanations, proactive communication, and ability to handle challenges without alarming his clients. The firm regularly manages complex co-op board transactions, multi-party closings, and refinancing matters that require careful coordination between banks, brokers, and title companies. Paralegal Alysa rounds out the team and is frequently cited by satisfied clients.

What Clients Say

Reviews for Horne & Childs are consistently strong, with clients describing Brett and Ron as responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making closings smooth. First-time homebuyers particularly praise the team for making them feel confident and protected throughout a process they had never experienced before. Multiple reviewers describe long-term relationships spanning five, ten, or more years and multiple transactions, with the firm always delivering at the same high standard.

General Practice White Plains — Practice Areas & Services

Residential real estate closings
Co-op and condominium transactions
Home purchase and sale contracts
Mortgage refinancing
Power of attorney for real estate
General civil matters in Westchester County

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a real estate attorney for a home purchase in New York?

Yes — unlike many states, New York requires attorney representation for real estate transactions. An attorney reviews the contract of sale, negotiates terms, conducts title review, coordinates with lenders, and represents you at closing. Horne & Childs handles every step, and their deep familiarity with Westchester County title issues and co-op board requirements protects buyers from costly surprises.

Does Horne & Childs handle co-op transactions in White Plains?

Yes. Co-op purchases involve an additional layer of complexity compared to standard home closings — board approval, proprietary leases, and recognition agreements all require careful legal handling. Ron and Brett Childs have extensive experience with Westchester County co-op transactions and are well-versed in the specific requirements of boards in White Plains and surrounding communities.

Quick Facts: General Practice in White Plains, New York

NY Attorney Requirement: New York is one of a minority of states that legally requires attorney representation at real estate closings, making counsel selection especially important — New York State Bar Association
Westchester Market: Westchester County consistently ranks among the most active residential real estate markets in the New York metro area, with thousands of closings annually — NY Association of Realtors
Co-op Concentration: New York State holds more co-op units than any other state, with Westchester County home to a significant concentration of co-op buildings requiring specialized legal expertise — U.S. Census Bureau

Related Guide: Find Real Estate Attorneys by City

AI-Powered Reviews Summary

Horne & Childs, located in White Plains, New York, is highly regarded as a top-tier attorney and lawyer firm specializing in real estate transactions. Clients consistently praise Brett and his team for their exceptional communication, professionalism, and ability to simplify complex processes, making home buying and selling experiences smooth and stress-free. With a strong focus on client education and support, Horne & Childs has earned numerous recommendations, especially among first-time homebuyers who appreciate their thorough guidance and responsiveness.

Users Reviews Comments – Google

Brett and his team were fantastic! They made the entire process smooth and stress-free. From the start, communication was amazing – Brett was always responsive and happy to jump on a call to answer any questions or concerns. The team was thorough, professional, and took the time to explain everything in clear, easy-to-understand terms. We truly appreciated their support and guidance every step of the way. Highly recommend working with Brett and his team!

I recently had the pleasure of working with Horne & Childs and I can’t say enough good things about my experience. From the very first interaction, the team was welcoming and supportive, .

Brett helped me land my first home – he is super responsive, patient, and pays great attention to details. I’d highly recommend him as a real estate attorney to anyone who’s looking for buy homes.

Brett was recommended to me by my realtor and I am so grateful that she did. From our initial conversation, I knew Brett would be an asset to me during my process as a first time home buyer! Brett is professional, respectful, genuine, understanding, patient and an educator as well. I’ve never worked with an attorney before and didn’t really understand the process and Brett made sure to educate me every step of the way, clarifying any concerns and answering all of my questions. Brett took the time to listen to me, understand my needs and take measures to make sure I was protected and that my contracts were airtight! Brett never missed a beat! Brett, Ron, Alysa are a power team and I am so glad to have had the pleasure of working with them on my first home purchase! Thank you!!

My experience with Horne & Childs was exceptional. As a first-time homeowner, I wanted an attorney that was personable, accessible, and knowledgeable and Brett was the perfect fit. Throughout the entire process, everything was explained clearly and in a timely manner. Even when there were challenges, Brett rose to the occasion on my behalf to allow my wishes to come true. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in the Westchester County area!

Brett and the team at Horne & Childs were invaluable in making our home purchase a success. He was friendly, patient, and always available to answer questions, breaking down complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand. Throughout the process, Brett skillfully handled any challenges that came up, always working toward the best outcome for us. The cost was extremely reasonable and more than worth it for the stress saved. We highly recommend Horne & Childs to any first-time home buyers in Westchester or NYC.

This was the second A+++ experience we’ve had using Ron (and now also Brett) Childs for a home purchase and closing. Both Ron and Brett are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in all matters of real estate law, not to mention incredibly patient and available to answer any and all questions that we had re: a complex coop transaction. Recommended without reservation!

Ron and Brett helped us seamlessly navigate tricky issues during the closing process. They are responsive, knowledgeable, and efficient. Wholeheartedly recommend them!

I have bought and sold several homes with Horne & Childs, as have my parents before me. Brett and everyone at Horne & Childs is fantastic to work with and really stuck with me through many challenging contract and property issues, and made sure I was well protected and represented.

Brett is one of the most immediately responsive professionals I have worked with. I work in finance and we regularly tell our clients to speak to Horne and Childs because of their expertise and responsiveness. They go the extra mile to ensure that a client is happy at all times. To date, Brett has represented me on three real estate transactions and each one has been better than the last.

Brett and the team at Horne & Childs were recommended to us by our agent and we were very happy with them. Especially as first time home buyers the process can be daunting, but Brett gave us good advice and took the time to answer all of our questions and make the experience as painless as possible. We would definitely use them again.

Highly recommend, Ron, Brett and Alyssa were all very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process from contract to closing!

I cannot recommend Horne & Childs enough. Brett Childs recently handled a property closing for my uncle and went above and beyond in every aspect of the process. Acting as the power attorney, Brett made the entire transaction seamless and stress free.

I have used Horne & Childs for multiple closings, both buying and selling. They have also helped me with refinancing my home. I have consistently been blown away by their professionalism, attention to detail and client service. Buying a home can be a stressful time, but Horne & Childs really made the process as smooth as possible.

The entire team provided excellent service and communication, going above and beyond to ensure all questions were answered in a timely fashion and all parts of the process were thoroughly explained.