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14 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Daria Pratcher is unfortunately extremely rude. She does not like answering or explaining matters concerning your case. She has a very negative nasty/offensive attitude. No compassion or respect for clients who are patronizing her business.
Talks highly disrespectful with no professionalism at all. SAD SORRY & DISSAPOINTING.
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13 Mar, 2012 by Howard, buffalo ny
Ms. Pratcher is and was a great help to me during a critical time of my life. She very thorough and conscience in her dealings with me. she handled the leg work and explained what was expected during the settling of my family's real estate, (Will) establishing guardianship and setting up of trusts of my nephews. She is well versed in what she does, and knows how to explain your specific concerns in language you can understand. She is fantastic.
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26 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
This man will literally tell you to your face he doesn't care and will do nothing to help he had to put his dog down had a mental breakdown and quit 3 hr before my court case started will not respond to calls emails or text but gets paid for it all refused to do anything I asked as an employee they work for us
Could not even look sober when I seen him with a different person like did ypu shoot up in the bathroom
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19 Nov, 2015 by Jennine
I was lost on how to take care of my legal issues on my own. After presenting my case to Mr. Potenza, he was confident he could assist. He did extensive research and presented my case in the best way possible. His enthusiasm and passion for the law along with his steadfast belief that you should go in with a winning attitude, was instrumental to our success. He made sure that I had ample practice and understood the process prior to my hearing date. It was because of him that we won our case! I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me!
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26 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
Told me about some of her personal ethics in more personal conversation, which was weird to begin with. Seemed like she needed to vent, and I didn't think it was appropriate to vent with a client. . At first I laughed it off, tried not to take it seriously, but the more I thought about, the more of an ethical boundary it seemed she crossed. She did okay on my case, but I seriously question her personal ethics.
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29 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
I hired John to represent me in my divorce. He seemed very good at the beginning but after many court dates and repeated calls and unreturned phone calls I came to realize this guy was just telling me what I wanted to hear. He didn’t follow through on anything he said he would do and did the bare minimum to protect me and my children. Do yourself the favor and hire the attorney that costs a little more and doesn’t have their own problems to deal with.
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30 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Minimum effort, hour padding, waste of time. I regret ever dealing with this attorney. Easy payday for him as nothing was really accomplished.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
Over a period of a number of months , Mr Stimson fails to respond to emails and phone calls. Often, his mail box is full indicating an apparent failure to respond to many clients.
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10 Jan, 2023 by Shaun
Reading the other 3 reviews honestly made me sad. We are all human after all... and she obvious has issues just like all of us... And while she personally could relate to my case do to a family member... I cant help but feel let down with the results we had.
I had to advocate for myself... and thank god I held my ground. She was ready to plea for something that would have cost me a year of my life... Instead... She asked the judge for what I wanted... and the Judge approved the conditional discharge.
What bothers me the most is I had 2 charges... and the one she told me to keep (cuz 1 was throw away) Has cost me several job opportunities... That the other charge wouldnt have. I literally was Hired and fired due to the choice of taking the 1 Misdemeanor.
And while it was hard to get a hold of her... I think she did care but maybe had too much on her plate.
This was also in 2014, so maybe things are better now. I wouldnt say dont go to her, I think she really does carel But you need to gage it for yourself. Remember, most ppl dont post positive reviews, they only post when they are really upset.
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27 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
after representing me in a case she told me how she promised to fight for me and counter sue and how she would make the other side pay for all the damage they had done, but after doing the bare minimum she never returned my phone call after wards and then told me i was harrasing her because i called several months later to get an update.... DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY WITH HER GET YOUR SELF A FREE LAWYER WHO WILL DO MORE THEN HER
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10 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Gail does the bare minimum as a laywer. She can not even return a simple phone. I've been working with her for 6 months now. There has been no improvement in my family court case. Its like it went stagnant. Do NOT waste your money. Your child's life is on the line and Gail will not fight for you.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You
A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.
Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.
When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?
Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:
- Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
- Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
- Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
- Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
- Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
- Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.
What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?
A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:
- Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
- Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
- Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
- Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
- Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
- Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.
How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?
Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:
- Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
- Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.
It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:
- Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
- Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
- Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.
Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.
Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.
Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.
Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer
Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:
-
What experience do you have with real estate law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on. -
How long will the process take?
Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last. -
Have you handled cases similar to mine?
Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case. -
Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities. -
Can you provide references?
Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.
How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:
- Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
- Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
- Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:
- Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
- A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
- Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
- Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
- Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.
