If I understand correctly, the shade tree has been removed and now more sun is available ?

If I understand correctly, the shade tree has been removed and now more sun is available ? I would loosen the soil in bare areas. Patch/thin areas can be scratched with a rake, although the more soil preparation you do the better the result. If you have the possibility to mix in a 1" layer of compost or topsoil and rake it into the top 3-4" then it would be extra nice. Once you have established your seedbed and graded it (raked it smooth) water well once to settle the soil. You then may have to rake any depressions again. If possible repeat this. the more watering, raking and smoothing you do, the better the result. the goal is an even surface. Spread a starter fertilizer (fertilizer with extra phosphorus) on the surface of the soil after final grading. Spread grass seeds. The shade grass seeds are good where less than 6 hours of direct sun is available. If more sun is now available, then I would buy a bag of mixed grass seeds which contain plenty of perennial ryegrass (germinates ...  more