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24 Mar, 2016 by Debra
Ms. Hunter had her hands full with the sale of our rental property. She worked very hard on our behalf to close the deal. We were so pleased with the dedication she showed us. Ms. Hunter is an honest, trustworthy, and hardworking attorney. She kept us well informed throughout the entire process. She is reliable and dependable.
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18 Jan, 2016 by Martha
Nancy was refereed to us by our real estate agent for the sale and purchase of our home in fall 2015. We couldn't have been happier with the job she did! Nancy was so prompt in answering any questions or issues that we ran into during this process. She was also very thorough with all of the documentation and paperwork, making the closing for both houses a breeze for us.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Nancy's services to all my family and friends and now I have an attorney for life!
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02 Jul, 2024 by Oral
I was introduce to attorney Edward Capozziello, for my residential property last year and I have no regrets he's very informative returns calls, work hard to help me with my situation, listen to my concerns, gives me the best answers to my questions. Attorney Capozziello is very professional in what he does, he takes his time to make sure you understand everything in detail.
I highly recommend
Thank you so much Edward
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16 May, 2021 by Tracey
I hired Attorney Capozziello for a residential real estate buy/sell on the advice of my broker. He generated a contract on short notice and even picked up on errors in documents drafted by a prior attorney. He was responsive, helpful and available to explain details. I would recommend him highly for any real estate matter. He exceeded expectations in every way. Tracey
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18 Oct, 2017 by Jessica
I found Attourney Delia through an online search, initially I was intrigued by his credentials in the type of law I was needing assistance with. After our first consultation I was not only satisfied with his vast knowledge in probate law, which speaks volumes alone. More so I was impressed by his genuine disposition. Attourney Delia took several hours out of his busy schedule to consult with me regarding a case that had been troubling me for many years. He was kind and patient , he went over every document I have regarding my parents estate ( which was quite lengthy and involved). Mr.Delia explained everything to me fully, so that I was able to understand what was executed over the years. I would more than highly recommend Attourney Anselmo M. Delia to anyone in search of any of his listed areas of expertise of the law. I was comforted with Attourney Delias in depth knowledge of different aspects of the law in addition to his graciousness. To find both of these in an Attourney is quite rare as I'm sure many of us are aware. I am more than grateful to Attourney Delia for helping me find some peace by confirming certain questions to issues, that had burdened my concious for many years. I look forward to working with him in the near future.
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13 Nov, 2015 by Ginny
From my very first meeting with Attorney Delia, he took a genuine interest in my family's estate case. In what turned out to be a very stressful lawsuit involving my mother's estate, he was always supportive and confident. He is honest and very knowledgeable about estates, which gave me great confidence in his ability to fight for us. When our case took unexpected turns and then headed to trial, he also turned out to be a skilled negotiator. I felt Attorney Delia had our best interests in mind at all times. Working with him gave me peace of mind and that really helped me know that we had chosen the right attorney to help us for mother's estate. I would highly recommend him.
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21 Sep, 2011 by Cheryl
Jeremy is one of the best Lawyer's I have worked with. He is so easy to work with and someone you can really trust to give the best legal advice. He was always on top pf things. Would recomend him to everyone!
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26 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
Attorney Jeremy Taylor recently handled a real estate closing on my house. He was fair, knowledgeable, and very responsive to any questions that I had.
Attorney Taylor, unlike many other lawyers, took the time to walk me through the whole process and i left his office feeling confident in his counsel. Take my advice, HIRE THIS LAWYER for your real estate needs.
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10 Feb, 2011 by Victoria
When I had my accident at work a friend of mind recommended Atty. Truppa just to consult with for some information. It was a bad time in my life I was in pain out of work..etc. She was so understanding of my situation like she really wanted to help. She told me that she thought I had a valid claim so I decided to ask her to represent me.
There was months of Doctors appointments, physical therapy and so on..This attorney was there every step of the way. I'd call the office with a question and was always received so professionally. If she was out of the office when I called she always got back to me within a reasonable amount of time. After my treatment was done Attorney Truppa managed to get me a very generous settlement. I was so pleased with my dealings with her I've since used her for some other matters and remain pleased with eash encounter.
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10 Feb, 2011 by Albert
I needed to find someone who could help me with my closing on my condo.This lawyer I found in the yellow pages. After I contacted her she told me just what I needed to do, the realtors and banks don't inform you of much, you really need a lawyer, trust me. Well all I can say is my closing went off with out any problems. It was reassuring to know she kept me in the loop. We are using her again for our office building closing.
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13 Sep, 2017 by Benita
Gregory DeManche is an outstanding attorney. He is very thorough, very informative, and very kind. He cares about the welfare of his clients. I give him my highest recommendation and will defer to him for future legal matters. I was impressed with the amount of time he spent researching my situation which was more involved than it sounded over the phone. He was prompt in getting back to me, and very generous with his time and thought. He will not disappoint.
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15 Dec, 2010 by Gregory
Greg has handled numerous real estate/banking matters for me over the years and has been professional, courteous, expert and very fair regarding his fees. He has always been easy to communicate with him and he is prompt in returning calls and emails. He handles matters throughout Connecticut.
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14 Aug, 2012 by Janet
Mr. Alter served as counsel for the Unsecured Creditors Committee in a complex bankruptcy involving 11 jointly administered cases. His extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law earned the respect of the other case attorneys and he was instrumental in resolving issues and developing strategies. While Mr. Alter has the ability to fight hard for his clients, he demonstrated particular skill as a consensus builder by bringing several disparate parties together to reach agreement in a relatively short period of time. Mr. Alter was completely engaged in our cause, whether working as a valued member of the team of attorneys in finding solutions or in responding to the needs of his clients. We were kept fully informed and educated throughout the process and I believe that it is a consequence of Mr. Alter's commitment, knowledge and skill that we achieved a highly successful outcome.
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14 Aug, 2012 by Jack
I served as the Chairman of the Unsecured Creditors Committee in these Chapter 11 cases involving 8 separate but related golf and country clubs and 3 additional service or holding companies. My background is as a finance and M & A partner with 30 years experience with one of the nation's largest firms.
The unsecured creditors included well over 2,000 club members and numerous trade creditors. Jonathan was an excellent advisor to and fiduciary for the many different types of unsecured creditors. He made a number of formal and webinar presentations to club members. Most of the club members were completely unfamiliar with bankruptcy principles. Jonathan made clear presentations and he was well received in all cases. He was extremely responsive to literally hundreds of e-mail and telephone inquiries from club members. He was so well respected by the Chief Reorganization Officer of the Debtors, the senior executives of the Plan Sponsor (which purchased the clubs as the key element of the confirmed Chapter 11 cases), and their respective counsel, that he was asked to join them in presentations to members.
Jonathan is keenly aware of the legal issues in Chapter 11 cases, but perhaps more importantly, he is very practical in assessing what can realistically be accomplished. He is a "deal maker". He understands when compromise is warranted and when it is not.
Jonathan provided a realistic budget and came in below budget. I practiced in a large law firm for many years and I was very impressed by his efficiency and his accurate budgeting.
Excellent public speaker. Able to convey a number of points in a convincing and logical manner, all while weaving his presentation into an effective and complete perspective of the entire case.
He is "always" available, whether by phone or e-mail. Jonathan works well as the principal contact for his team or as the principal negotiator.
I recommend him highly.
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26 Oct, 2018 by Rob
I called the Sabilia law firm to discuss my legal matter and Attorney Sabilia took the time out of her busy schedule to thoroughly speak with me (which she was not obligated to do as I had not even retained her at that point) She was extremely nice, compassionate, understanding and knowledgable, and took interest in my situation and what I was going through.
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09 Jan, 2017 by Becky
Awesome Attorney. Handles closings smoothly, explains all aspects of the documents you are signing and will not leave until you understand everything. Very reasonable pricing and awesome staff. Responsive and all around great law firm.
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01 May, 2019 by Julie
James Katz was my lawyer for a very difficult divorce. He is very professional and managed to get everything I asked for, and more. Most lawyers wouldn't have even attempted to win my specific case, but he knew when to push and when to wait. It was a long and very contentious divorce that took over a year to complete. He made the process so much easier by explaining all the options and taking the time to listen to what I wanted to accomplish for me and my children, and he got the job done.
Even today, several years later, his office was very courteous and helpful when I needed some copies of my divorce decree and didn't even charge me for their time.
I highly recommend James Katz for anyone who needs an attorney. James and his entire team has been very supportive and professional during one of the most difficult times of my life.
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02 Nov, 2018 by Ns
I've have used Attorney Katz as my sole lawyer since 2010.
Words cannot describe how much he has helped me with my difficult case. He was extremely thorough, tenacious and driven for the best interest of my son. I am forever grateful for his services and I quite often recommend him to friends or acquaintances who are going through the same situation in family court. He is easy to work with, very honest, helpful and knowledgeable while having patience and understanding. Works for you every step of the way no matter what time of the day or how difficult your situation may be.
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04 Dec, 2020 by Gary
Very quick response time, professional, cordial & jovial to boot. All the work she provided was concise, well explained, met our needs in a quick turn-around time, and at a price I didn't even consider quibbling about.
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20 Mar, 2015 by Ray
Attorney Pershan was very knowledgeable and kept me imformed about my case. She addressed all of my concerns and obtained results.
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13 Dec, 2021 by Lili
Karen Miller, is a great attorney, honest and responsive.
She has done a closing for a house I bought, I’m pleased and I would recommend her services.
(And no, she’s not related to me)
Lili Miller
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28 Dec, 2016 by John
I am a commercial property owner and Karen has been my closing attorney for the last 30 properties that I have acquired over the years. She came with a high recommendation from a few attorneys in my area. I'm very picky with who I do business with and she has proven herself time and time again.
Karen is knowledgeable in evictions and has a fast turnaround time. She is always responsive as I've never spoken to her paralegal. I wish there were more attorneys were like her.
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08 Mar, 2019 by Carlos
In desperate need of assistance and advice Mrs. Avila was a great person to talk to and because of her courageous helpful experience I'm now dealing with my issues at hand by my self professionally and with confidence. To you Mrs Avila I'm thankful and very appreciated ,wishing you and your law firm a true blessing in disguise. You guys rock......
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18 Apr, 2016 by Frank
I would like to note that Attorney Heidi Avila's representation of me on my child's custody case was outstanding and I had all my questions and concerns answered promptly and all case related information was always fully explained to me thoroughly by Attorney Avila. I would hire Mrs. Avila in any future cases that I may need representation in and have referred Attorney Heidi Avila to many people for representation. I would also like to add that Mrs. Avila maintained an extremely high level of professionalism which in return helped give much comfort and peace of mind throughout my case. I would rate Attorney Heidi Avila's services to be Excellent!
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29 Jul, 2015 by Christopher
I have known Jonathan Wetmore for over eight years and many of my real estate clients have used his services for their closings. Also, I have engaged his legal services to assist me in negotiating with my mortgage company. I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Wetmore because of his legal knowledge, responsiveness, and perhaps most importantly, his practice of keeping clients informed during the process. I cannot say enough regarding his excellent qualities as an Attorney!
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22 Jul, 2015 by David
I have had the privilege of working with Attorney Wetmore for the past couple years as he was referred to me by a colleague. He has completed several real estate closings for me as well as a comprehensive Will for my family. He and his team have always been very responsive and I wouldn't work with anyone else.
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14 Aug, 2021 by Corporate compliance investigations
27 Dec, 2016 by Barry
I have unfortunately had occasion to be represented by several attorneys over the years; some are well known high profile litigators. None of them come even close to the skills and abilities demonstrated by Mr. Klein in his representation of my matter. Besides outstanding professional abilities, he is one of the few criminal defense lawyers I've met, who picks up his own calls, and returns calls promptly. For my money, it doesn't get any better in Fairfield County.
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29 Oct, 2019 by Lisa
I had a very positive experience when I consulted with Attorney Barocas. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful regarding estate planning.
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06 Dec, 2018 by Tom l- darien
Morris went out of his way to help me find someone when he couldn’t take my case. He was a real gentleman who gave me 15 minutes of his time and good advice with no expectations. Thanks!
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22 May, 2019 by Angela
He and his team have been kind, pleasant, knowledgeable, thorough and timely in the various occasions we have needed their services. We would highly recommend them!
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01 Aug, 2017 by Tara
We retained Attorney Barber when a different lawyer had misguided us and given us misinformation almost causing us to miss proper documentation for court hearings. We were behind on several legal proceedings and close to a foreclosure because it had appeared as though we were not responding. I am not a lawyer and don't pretend to be. I had no idea what was expected of us. Attorney Barber had all the documents completed and submitted within an hour of meeting with him. Within 24 hours, we had all documentation signed and completed to follow through with a short sale remotely as we had moved out of state. He made everything simple and
Seamless and gave us peace of mind. Thank you Attorney Barber for your personable, compassionate and efficient legal representation. We don't know how we could have gotten it done
Without you and your staff.
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01 Mar, 2020 by John james
Mrs.Moore is a straight beast. She went hard for me in the court room on a child custody case. I was looking at TPR and now I have a chance to bring my daughter home. She is very knowledgeable of the law, professional and understanding. She gains insight and applies it in the court room to her clients advantage. She keeps great communication and she fights for you and she fights hard. She is by far the best lawyer I’ve ever used. She doesn’t judge you and she gives you advice to help you. She comes into court very presentable and shuts every other lawyer down with her tactics. She is an absolute savage in the courtroom and knows her stuff!!
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29 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Attorney Moore is the best Attorney I have ever had. She is so professional and she really gets to know about the client. She is so knowledgeable, our first case went from me owing money, to getting paid by the party that wanted to sue me.
She is without a doubt, the most principled Attorney I have ever dealt with.
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20 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
I would definately, without a doubt, recommend this attorney for any client searching for a lawyer. He was very charismatic, understanding, and willing to go the extra mile to get things done. He was very good about communicating with me and was very professional and respectful. Could not be more pleased!!
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20 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
Great experience dealing with this attorney. He really knows what he is doing and a pleasure to deal with.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Matthew
ALL I CAN SAY HE IS THE BEST THERE HAS EVER BEEN AND I THINK THE BEST THAT WILL EVER BE
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14 Dec, 2021 by Raymond
I have used Paul Farren as my attorney a number of times starting in the 70s .. He and his firm have gone out of their way to do the right thing .. I have had to have him defend me in a number of criminal matters and my divorce...
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02 Aug, 2021 by Lilyvine405
Prompt,professional, and knowledgeable service. I've had the pleasure of knowing and working with many of the professionals here for several years.
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28 Mar, 2021 by Tina rice
12 Aug, 2008 by Bill
I worked with Charles on a zoning and land use issue. It involved an anabandoned roadway bisecting land that I had purchased for developement. We had previously worked with 2 other law firms on this same issue, but had gotten no results. Charles and his firm were able to cut through all of the red tape, address the issues at hand, and get us the results that were deserved. As a result, we will without doubt, continue to work with Charles on all of our future projects.
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11 Aug, 2008 by Ira
I have worked with Mr. Willinger and his firm for approximately ten years. They are by far the most competent firm in Fairfield County, CT.
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12 Apr, 2014 by Bela
Excellent, trustworthy, knowledgeable lawyer and staff, definitely recommend them. During the services I had a totally positive experience and that is why I want to recommend them.
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28 Oct, 2010 by Anonymous
Excellent personable lawyer. Kept us up-to-date and well informed. His fee for services rendered very reasonable and would make himself available after "normal" business hours..
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18 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Jeremy represented my company in many highly contested matters, both State and Federal, and always achieved excellent results. I would highly recommend him.
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14 Aug, 2012 by Martin
Mr. Stein was very professional, gave good advice and always kept me well informed. I highly recommend him.
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18 Mar, 2015 by Gerard
Recently Marc worked on a case I had at Superior Court and I was delighted with the resolution that Marc was able to achieve on my behalf. Marc did due diligence that was beyond what I expected when I first meet in his office to review the issue. He or one of the staff members from his office went to the location where I was arrested and reviewed the facts as I told him at our meeting in his office. I was surprised at the effort on his part to help my case. As a result of his efforts my case was dismissed at Superior Court.
I asked Marc for help because I was hoping to minimize the damage from the issue and was delighted he was able to get the results that were achieved on my behalf. He is a man of his word. It was a pleasure dealing with Marc and I would recommend his service. He did all he said he was going to do and more than expected.
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18 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Marc is very professional and efficient. Marc represented me in disputing a CT speeding ticket with a very favorable result.
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29 Jul, 2016 by Mary
I used Jim twice, first for a condo purchase in 2 years ago and again last year for a foreclosure/auction home purchase. If it wasn't for his professionalism, expertise, patience and herculean efforts, I would not be in this house today! My mortgage company was a nightmare but Jim managed to work through each and every problem (and there were too many to count!) to close this deal for me. I'm contacting him again for an upcoming purchase.
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10 Feb, 2016 by Jordan
Great guy, I've used him twice for two different closings. Once when I bought my condo and once when I sold my condo. I really wish he did child custody /family law. Could use him now!
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22 Sep, 2019 by David simonetti
Great local place for Italian food!
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20 Apr, 2018 by The law offices of mark sherman, llc
I have worked with Carolyn for years and regularly refer clients to her for family and probate matters (big or small). All of my referrals have received the highest level of service and most importantly, got great results. She is responsive, compassionate, experienced (more than most lawyers in town) and cost-conscious. Hire her!
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08 May, 2019 by Alex
First-time homebuyer. Our realtor recommended Clare Bolduc as our real estate attorney. I couldn't have been happier with that recommendation.
Right from the start she was open to all my questions and concerns. Being very new at this I needed someone to walk me through the entire process, and Clare did just that. She went over every point with me and responded very timely to any questions I had. We spent significant time on the phone going over every last detail.
Upon hiring her, Clare gave me a flat quote for her services, which, at the time, I thought was very fair. I personally think she undercharged. With the amount of footwork she had to do and how she continues to go to bat for me with the sellers even after we closed I feel I got great value in hiring her.
She's really good. At her previous law firm it only took her 3 years to make partner. That's VERY quick. She definitely knows the ins and outs of her profession and I would be very happy to hire her again if the need arises.
She even made a point to provide some distractions for my 2-year-old son during the closing so my wife and I could sign the documents.
5 gold stars from me. Very satisfied. Highly recommend for ANYONE doing ANYTHING that needs an attorney in CT or NY.
Thank you, Clare.
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25 Apr, 2018 by Kasey
As first time home buyers, my husband and i had A LOT of questions! The ones our realtor couldn't help answers we asked to Clare and not only did she always know the answer but she responded to us very quickly. We hardly ever waited more than an hour to hear back from her which always put us at ease during the stressful moments. As you're looking for a Attorney for real estate transactions, we highly, highly would recommend working with Clare! We would do it all over again if we had to!
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22 Sep, 2019 by David simonetti
Great local place for Italian food!
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20 Apr, 2018 by The law offices of mark sherman, llc
I have worked with Carolyn for years and regularly refer clients to her for family and probate matters (big or small). All of my referrals have received the highest level of service and most importantly, got great results. She is responsive, compassionate, experienced (more than most lawyers in town) and cost-conscious. Hire her!
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28 Mar, 2019 by Francis discala jr
Have worked alongside Attorney Violi. She is contentious and thorough. Will continue to recommend her.
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19 Oct, 2018 by Michaela ceci
07 Dec, 2012 by Michael
Joe's extensive experience, approachable and friendly demeanor, remarkable responsiveness, dedication to his clients' particular goals and priorities, and professional but appropriately feisty advocacy in court made him an excellent legal representative for me during a painful divorce proceeding involving child custody, health and disability issues, complications stemming from a signed prenuptial agreement and my former spouse's willingness to be dishonest in court. Joe not only did his job well but provided me with tempered and welcome advice about how to best focus my efforts and emotional energy. I am grateful that he has been my lawyer and recommend him highly.
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25 May, 2011 by Stephanie
Joe Hubicki handled my divorce with skill and integrity when all other options failed. My ex-husband and I were in an endless loop of anger, sadness and stress going through the divorce process. Our horrible communications only added to the stress. There came a time when it was obvious we needed a thrid party. I hired Joe and he turned it all around for me. His words "ok, let me take care of it from here" were a gift to me. Shortly after I was divorced with a fair settlement. And that is exactly what I wanted. So, from one "been through it" to another, if you're looking for a good representative through this hellish process, I would say call Joe for a consultation.
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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:
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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.
