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16 Mar, 2016 by Nancy
She was amazingly helpful and empathetic and compassionate to my situation. I had an attorney prior to her who didn't do a darn thing for me for well over a year, but Jean got right on my case and kept it moving along. Her staff is so very helpful as well. I highly recommend Jean.
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09 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Very informative and dependable. Highly recommended
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12 Feb, 2016 by Trevor
Jean represented me during my divorce proceedings for a little over a year until an agreement was made. We were able to come to an agreement and settle out of court and mostly stay out of the court house. I felt represented very well and have the utmost confidence in Jean's legal prowess. Jean and her law office were always very easy to contact, I had no trouble getting ahold of someone if I had questions or updates for them. Jean and all her staff were very friendly and welcoming. I had as great an experience as one could have while going through the divorce process. Jean is an excellent lawyer and I would recommend her to anyone needing representation during divorce or custody battles.
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27 Mar, 2020 by Trenton
Eric was an exceptional legal counsel for an early stage investment opportunity. He was complete with his analysis and provided thoughtful advice and guidance. I would recommend his services to anyone looking for counsel in this space.
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15 Mar, 2020 by Chin
Eric was very knowledgeable and helpful in reviewing our LLC agreement. Highly recommended even for more complex projects.
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05 Mar, 2020 by James
Eric is extremely proficient and knowledgeable in business and securities law. He has provided our startup excellent service and taken the time to explain the complex issues that face any new business seeking angel or venture capital investments.
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07 Jan, 2021 by Sal
Ana guided me through the process of forming my own company in New York State. In addition to preparing and filing the legal documents, Ana also took the time to explain related requirements, such as publication and obtaining an EIN. She explained the importance of establishing proper business operations, such as a separate bank account, insurance and certain accounting-related matters. She ensured that I started my new business properly, so that I could focus on building it.
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30 Apr, 2019 by Julie
Ana and the Wagoner Firm stepped in to help me with a breach of contract matter. She met with us and reviewed the contract and helped us gather all the evidence we needed to show that this commercial installer was in breach. She spoke with the company's attorney for several months and kept pushing for a fair result, when at first the company denied everything. Ultimately, we get the result we needed and then some. The full purchase price of our contract and and additional sum to get the required permits for the work we were having done.
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02 Apr, 2019 by Joshua
I am a Veteran who was referred to The Wagoner Firm via the SBA/VBOC because of the firm's support of Veteran Small Business owners. I had the opportunity to work with Ana Galeano in a recent commercial real estate transaction in excess of $1 million. I was purchasing a major property in Schenectady, NY and needed an attorney with experience in real estate. Ana provided me with an opportunity to speak with her extensively at no charge to discuss questions and issues prior to my decision to retain The Wagoner Firm to represent me. One of my biggest concerns was the timeliness that was required due to tax incentive deadlines. Ana and her associates worked feverishly to meet the closing deadline. Many individuals at the closing table commented to me about how it was the quickest commercial transaction they had been a part of. This was even more impressive when you consider the uniqueness of the closing and several unpredictable complications that arose during the closing process. The transaction involved tax issues and a transfer of agreements with the local metroplex authority. Throughout the deal, Ana was very responsive and always made herself available through the critical period of negotiating contracts and closing the deal. In fact, she was available on weekends (without charging extra) and went above and beyond on many occasions to ensure the deal closed by the tax deadline. It involved a large number of parties (buyer, seller, tenant, bank, lender's counsel, brokers, agents), and Ana was very effective in communicating with all parties, including the attorney for the local authority. In addition, Ana has been responsive and available for post-closing matters, such as obtaining appropriate insurance, providing property management contracts, and guiding me through general issues with the property. I would not hesitate to recommend Ana Galeano and The Wagoner Firm to anyone who needs competent, trustworthy, and responsive legal counsel or representation.
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17 Jun, 2021 by Sherrill
I hired Denise to handle my divorce while I was also going through a serious illness. Denise while very empathetic, helped keep me grounded and did an incredible job. She knew what I wanted, and had absolutely no issue fighting for me. She had my back every step of the way. She and I will be working on my Will's and Power of Attorney, etc., next. I highly recommend her.
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24 Oct, 2017 by Gina
I’ve worked with Denise the last 3 1/2 years on a very tiring, never ending case. She has been there every step of the way. I commend her for her hard work and persistence when we all thought it would never end. If you want someone on your side who is upfront, honest, knowledgeable, and will see your issue thru to the very end...this is the woman you need on your side to get the job done!!!
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21 May, 2015 by Anonymous
If you ever need someone honest and completely there to serve in the most professional way, trust in Attorney Resta-Tobin.
I almost gave up on trying to find a lawyer to represent me and thanks by someone's reference I got to meet with my new attorney. I would not change her for anything!
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11 Feb, 2009 by Anonymous
I have closed on two properties in the Capital District using Michael Schafer and in each case Michael paid very close attention to all the details of the transactions and kept me informed on issues that I had never even thought of. He was always there when I called and if he wasn't he would return phone calls promptly. During my first purchase, I spoke to Mr. Schafer many times on the phone and after a few months of negotiating with the seller over insurance issues, I failed to close on the property. I was never charged for all that time spent on the phone so when the time came for another purchase, immediately I called Michael Schafer. The same professionalism and attention to detail was displayed and this time I closed on the property. The fee was very reasonable considering the services provided.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Michael Schafer to any one considering purchasing property in the Capital District.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Nancy
Megan is simly the best! Her expertise is laser sharp and she really understands how to get the desired results. Once your speak with her in person she is compassionate, understanding and genuine. I highly recommend her, especially if you are having difficulty and need someone with experience to get things back on track! Thank You so much Megan for all your help and expertise getting our real estate transaction closed with a mutually agreeable result!
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16 Jun, 2016 by Parbattie
Megan was excellent, I would definitely recommend her to anyone else. She did our closing, made sure we got what we needed out of the deal. Very persistent and kept me informed at all times. Got back to me very quickly, helped us negotiate to get the best deal possible. Very pleased with this service.
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13 Oct, 2015 by Dave
We've used Mr. Ianniello's firm to handle several personal real estate transactions for both the sale and purchase of homes. They kept us fully informed throughout the process and even handled a problem when a buyer backed out of a signed deal. Working with Mr. Ianniello and his staff was extremely easy and efficient.
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27 Nov, 2023 by Chris boggs
Amazing service from Peter and his team. They were able to guide us through a difficult home closing. We would highly recommend them for real estate law.
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15 Dec, 2021 by Cheryl taylor
Someone in this office came into the building I was in waiting for my appointment with an eye doctor. Apparently people in this law firm are exempt from following state mandates and health and safety codes. They don't wear masks in their office or while walking through the common areas of the building. Does anyone know a lawyer who's good at suing lawyers?
This law firm is inside of a building that shares a common area with multiple healthcare facilities and has a sign on the door that says masks are mandatory for everyone in the building.
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09 Jun, 2019 by Paul ryan
23 Apr, 2024 by Kevin
We have moved out of the area and needed a document quickly. The office was very responsive and pleasant in sending it to us. It was at our house 200 miles away the next day, and they would not even let me pay for FedEx shipping. Very impressed.
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28 Mar, 2024 by Jeffrey briggs
Negative experience in dealing with them.
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02 Jan, 2024 by Fafe b.
Megan Bond is by far the most unprofessional lawyer I have ever worked with. She does not respond to phone calls or email. It took weeks of multiple emails and phone calls for her to respond. I would not recommend to even my worst enemy. If you like being ignored and feel invaluable then maybe she's the lawyer for you.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Stacey
I was very satisfied with the representation Georgia provided me for my Divorce. She was quite knowledgeable and effective with getting the job done. I appreciate everything she has done for me.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I hired Georgia Bonton for my divorce case in Nassau County, NY through my ARAG legal plan. Unfortunately, my experience was highly disappointing. She was consistently unresponsive to calls, texts, and emails. When she did respond, she was often multitasking with personal chores, which was unprofessional.
Despite my case being relatively straightforward—given that I was married for only six months—she exacerbated my stress by providing poor guidance and unnecessarily pursuing my former spouse's income. Additionally, she conducted a skip trace on my ex-spouse's father, incurring a $1,000 expense. Not only was this irrelevant to my case, but I also never authorized such a costly action.
Her handling of my case was confusing and seemed driven more by financial gain than by a genuine concern for my well-being. Although the ARAG plan covered 35 hours of legal service, she failed to utilize this coverage and continued to bill me at her hourly rate of $400.
I strongly advise against using Georgia Bonton. My experience highlights significant issues with her professionalism and ethical standards.
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28 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
I needed legal support and hired Ms Bonton. Her knowledge of the law shows in her professionalism and through her expert advise. My case is still pending and my outcome looks VERY favorable.
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25 Sep, 2023 by Trisha
I had no faith in the system but Tammy reinsured me and has went above and beyond for me and my family!!! Best attorney in the 518!!! Highly recommend for all services she will not let you down!!
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16 Mar, 2023 by Robert
Tammy was our bankruptcy lawyer. No one wants to ever file for bankruptcy however life forced our hand. This started in 2017 when we hired Tammy . We paid our fee, took all the necessary counseling and went to court. All seemed to go well until 3 years later when we learned Tammy had never filed all the paperwork or paid the necessary fee. After contacting her on more than one occasion to have her sort this out it was still not done. We had to contact the court and the judge set up a hearing for us where he told Tammy when she would complete the paperwork filing and that SHE would pay the fees. When it was all settled my credit report now shows the bankruptcy was not filed until June of 2020. We had been working hard for years even prior to our initial filing to correct and rebuild our credit. I would not use her again and we are sorry we did the first time.
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28 Jun, 2018 by David
Tammy is a very effective family lawyer. She gets directly to the point and that resulted in favorable results for my children and myself.
Hopefully this is the last time in my life that I have to deal with a divorce (knock on wood) However, if I ever find myself in the same situation I will resort to Ms. Arquette in a heartbeat.
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07 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
After he helped me close on a house, I hired Mr. Malecki to fight a mechanic’s lien and a family court matter. Both were inter-related and I wanted the same representation. This was the first time in my life I had legal issues of any kind and shared this with Mr. Malecki. He assured me he would handle my concerns and told stories of his legal heroism to secure my business.
I prepared and shared with him several weeks ahead of time a 7-page timeline summary that covered both issues and about 120 pages of supporting evidence. I repeatedly asked him what else he needed and he never gave me a clear answer, instead sharing the same stories of his legal victories, restaurant recommendations, stories of his family, or obscure American history.
The family matter ended up in court first and the night before the hearing, a friend helped me prepare a short statement for the judge, which I sent to Mr. Malecki. His response the next morning, about ½ hour before the hearing: “Finally, you sent me what I was looking for!” In the same conversation, I discovered he hadn’t looked at the timeline summary or evidence I had sent earlier but had pored over the statement submitted by opposing party. I found this annoying, but with the hearing a few minutes away, there wasn’t much I could do about it. I asked for prep, he waved his hands dismissively and said it would go fine.
During the hearing, I realized that Mr. Malecki had no expertise in family law nor did he advocate for me. When opposing party spoke over me while I was testifying he didn't object, letting the other party ramble on. The judge did not get to hear my side of the case. The only words he spoke during the entire hearing was to confirm he was my attorney. Mr. Malecki's ineptitude in family court led me to lose tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of property that was stolen from me. And, because of how the legal system works, I have no viable options of recovering it. To him, this was all a big joke. He laughed out loud and mocked me.
I suffered other significant losses in family court because of him, not getting the legal protection I had needed. Not having representation at all would have produced better outcomes than having him did.
After the hearing, I told him I felt unheard by him and needed better communication processes. He responded by refusing to further represent me. This was well enough because I found an attorney who treated me with dignity and helped resolve the outstanding real-estate matter. My new attorney confirmed that – given the evidence – the family matter should not have gone the way it did. He also said I wasn’t the first client who came to him after a similarly dismaying experience with Mr. Malecki.
Mr. Malecki claims to charge less than other attorneys in the area. While that may be true, consider the implications (in legal outcomes and sheer human dignity) of his bargain basement prices. It was unethical for him to take my case and not disclose his lack of expertise in family law. At the end of the day, I know more about family court, Mr. Malecki’s multiple cars, where his kids went to school and what they are now doing, how he and his wife met, his cooking, his wine and port preferences, how he got his piano, etc. etc. than he does my case or family law. He may be a fine hire for home closings, but buyer beware for anything else.
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09 May, 2017 by Archie
Paul Malecki aided me in the collection and presentation of Records which I used in my "Successful Defense" against "False Charges" made by an Agency in New York State.
Paul didn't directly represent me but without his help I would have faced being Fired !
His calm and collected demeanor, along with his professional insight brought my case to a Very Satisfactory conclusion.
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21 Feb, 2023 by Mike
Our lawyer was KELLY MALLOY-POGODA. The selling went fine of course. Unfortunately the buying was riddled with false disclosures and documents that couldn't be produced by the seller to get a mortgage. The seller also claimed the house was built in 1992 when after an appraisal was really built in 1970s. COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE did not hold the seller responsible for any of it. We ended up having to sell our house and renting until we found another house. We will NOT be using COOPER ERVING & SAVAGE ever again.
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28 Feb, 2018 by John
I had a bad experience with Phillip recently. Not his staff, but him. He wanted more money for additional services that were not part of the original agreements with me. When I asked him to just perform the agreed work, he refused. He was paid in full and I had to hire someone else to execute work he was suppossed to do. Many of his emails appeared very cold and abrupt. This all happened during a divorce proceeding. There are plenty of elder care attorney's out there, I would not recommend.
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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.
