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09 Mar, 2021 by Samantha
He wasn't intimidated by any part of my Mother's case. He made sure not only to win her case in it's entirety, but he made sure ALL her legal fees paid to him were also reimbursed so in the end she was completely made whole. He is thorough, respectful, and won't waste your time.
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01 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Michael Pykosh over 3 years ago. My search for a Lawyer to take on my case was exhausting. After making several calls into many different Attorney Office's and being denied the help that I needed, I was ready to give up. When I contacted Mike, he was the one who agreed to accept the challenge of my case and made me feel confident that I could rely on him to resolve and win my case, and indeed he did exactly that. He was responsive whenever I needed him. I will always have complete confidence and trust in Mike and his courteous Staff, and will continue to refer Mike to my friends and relatives who may be in need of an Excellent Lawyer.
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03 Nov, 2012 by Paul
I have dealt with Attorney Michael Pykosh for approximately 20 years. I find him to be responsive, knowledgeable and I value his opinions and thoughts. I am a 30 year full time Realtor and highly recommend my clients, friends and relatives to Mr. Pykosh. At settlement my clients can rest assured the job is complete, they have received the best service and have a title policy that will protect their interest in their home. His office and staff are professional and the most considerate.
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12 Apr, 2011 by Anonymous
Attorney Dethlefs is a lawyer who works very hard to research and win a case. He cares about his clients - you will never feel like "just another client". He worked very hard on my case to keep me literally "up to the minute" on what was happening. I never felt "in the dark" or received any confusing documents. He was always available to take my phone calls - I often heard back from him within the hour. Attorney Dethlefs is very professional and I would not hesitate to hire him again or recommend him to anyone.
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08 Mar, 2010 by Gary
I have worked with attorneys for 42 years and I have found him and his law firm to be the easiest to contact and the most responsive of all the attorneys. I have worked with attorney Dethlefs for the past 15 years and he gives answers and gets things done.
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04 Mar, 2010 by Anonymous
Attorney Dethlefs prepared me for the court appearance, was informed and very prepared for the case. Although, we thought we may have to eventially prevail throught an appeal to a higher court, the case presented was decided in our favor at the lower court and the plaintiff actually ended up being admonished by the judge.
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24 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Ms. Coyne was a pleasure to work with on recent real estate transaction. She responded to my questions in a prompt, courteous and thorough manner. She was patient and took the time to educate me about the process. For anyone looking for highly personalized and fairly priced services, I would highly recommend this small, veteran owned law firm.
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21 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
Always responsive and available to me and my family in a difficult time. Lisa was extremely knowledgable about the law, and, more importantly, she provided practical advice to resolve difficult issues in a very economical way
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23 Jul, 2024 by Skip straining
Caring and professional
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13 Dec, 2023 by A j
Working with an attorney can be very intimidating, but Craig Hatch was Incredibly knowledgeable and very, very nice to work with. His assistant LIsa was incredibly nice as well and really helped with the process. Thank you, thank you, for an amazing experience.
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30 Nov, 2023 by Keith parker
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16 Oct, 2019 by Rebecca
After a severed relationship with another attorney, Lindsay stepped right in and took the reigns with my case. She set clear expectations and the communication I received from her and her team was refreshing in comparison to the experience with my prior counsel. After our initial consultation, I was impressed by how well Lindsay had studied the history of my case. I felt like she had experienced the timeline of events with me and I was never worried about her missing important details. I appreciate that she spent time preparing me for each appearance in court and maintained a professional appearance and demeanor. Lindsay was ready for any obstacles that came in our direction from opposing counsel and I felt confident with her representing me and my children. I would highly recommend her services!
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03 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Hired her dor a divorce in 2014 and it drug on and on. She seemed intimidated by opposing council and did not work to move things along. Tried to convince me I needed to keep her on after the divorce was final.
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21 Jul, 2018 by Jesse
Lindsay has been my attorney since we enlisted her services when we purchased our house in 2015. She also represented me in a domestic relations case when I found out I had a teenage daughter from a past relationship. She represented me in support hearings and was extremely influential it mitigating a possitive outcome. She is always my only recommendation for family and real estate law.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Ron baum
Brian Perry is a top notch lawyer who will get the job done, period. I’ve hired Brian on 2 occasions and each time I’ve come away with a sentence I never would have expected. A combined total from the 2 cases equaled 14 years in prison and over $35,000 in fines. Each situation ended up with a sentence of 1 year of probation, a minimal fine and court costs. Brian will put you at ease during the first meeting as he reviews your case and explains the charges in detail so you can understand and make decisions. He is very thorough, hard working and always gets the best results possible. I trust Brian completely and would recommend him to family and friends knowing they are in the best hands. When you weigh his fee to the cost of losing your freedom it’s an easy decision. ‘You get what you pay for’ isn’t just a saying it’s the truth.
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13 Dec, 2023 by Samuel cortez
Professional and reliable
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13 Oct, 2023 by Brian
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11 Apr, 2024 by Diane ford
Excellent. Gets things DONE!!!!! And does the right thing!!! Strongly recommend Susan.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Jo yeingst
I highly recommend Susan if you are looking for an attorney. We hired Susan for a criminal case involving a family member who had been arrested and charged with some very serious crimes that could of resulted in life in prison. The case ended up going to jury trial, and becasuse of Susan's knowledge of the law and her hard work through out the case the family member was charged with a misdemeanor and was released from jail immediately. She is a top notch lawyer and my family will be forever thankful to her.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Patrice a
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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