my mother wants to put the deed of her condo in my name; do we need an attorney to complete this process? what is the process and approximate cost?

You will need an attorney to prepare the deed necessary for transfer of ownership.  The condo will then be owned by you, and if you ever have any financial difficulties (is bankruptcy, divorce, etc) then the condo will be an asset you own subject to creditors.  You will take the asset at the cost basis that your mother paid for the condo - and when you sell it you will pay tax on the difference between that cost basis price and the sale's price.  so if it went up in value you will pay capital gains tax.  If you mother leaves you the condo in her will, you get a transfer basis and you will pay no capital gains tax.  The cost of doing the deed and recording smae from our office is $500.