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02 Nov, 2009 by Rebecca
Ms. Whiting is a child advocate and puts her heart and soul into her clients. She represented my children during a nasty divorce case several years ago. The thing that I respected the most is her complete and utter honesty, even when it wasn't what I always wanted to hear. She listens to both sides (parents) , however, she puts the childrens needs first.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Caleb perkins
06 May, 2017 by Ian scott-taylor
Elizabeth help surcure an amicable and successful conclusion to the issue. She is professional and walks you through every step of the process. Worth a phone call and visit.
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07 Sep, 2023 by Caleb perkins
06 May, 2017 by Ian scott-taylor
Elizabeth help surcure an amicable and successful conclusion to the issue. She is professional and walks you through every step of the process. Worth a phone call and visit.
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27 Sep, 2022 by Jasmin méndez
👍
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11 Jul, 2020 by Elena vidal
Once again Mr. Gras has provided me with expert guidance in tricky situations. I highly recommend his legal counsel in family and business matters. Beautiful office in downtown Easton, gracious surroundings and decorum.
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14 Mar, 2018 by Kedrian hazell
02 May, 2024 by Laura bishop
3 years & 2 months. Still no Estate settled. The lawyers office keeps saying person in charge sick, since October. 2 weeks ago, they said she was out with shingles. Now we are hearing she has a lot of work to catch up on.
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05 Mar, 2024 by Sara arscott
26 Oct, 2023 by T h
If you need a Will, they are quick, they listen to your wishes. They helped us with our mom's estate, and now helping with our brother.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Joan knoepfle
Wonderful people. Helpful and efficient. Love Dawn.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Carrie s.
David Baines Esquire, is a liar, a thief, a misogynist. Expect him to waste your time.
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26 Oct, 2023 by Frank gunsallus
21 Apr, 2020 by Nicholas tindall
On several occasions Chris has made time during the week, often on short notice, to meet and discuss an important issue I had going on. He is a great listener, able to look at all sides of an issue, and offer an intelligent, logical course of action. His expertise over the years has been invaluable in navigating each situation that has arisen.
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11 Sep, 2018 by Leslie westbrook
Inadequately prepared for my court hearing. Gave incorrect facts about my case to the Judge! Did not prepare me as an experienced lawyer in this field should have. I cannot recumbent. This is a lawyer-centric firm, not client-centric. I felt unheard and diminished.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Elizabeth
Estate Planning with Tim Oursler.
He really helped make the process fairly easy.
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17 Apr, 2023 by Bob tenanty
The firm was highly recommended to represent me in my divorce. My case must have been too small. In the 30 days they represented me the first outgoing letter to the opposing counsel was sent to my son’s email address. He called me and asked if I had gotten it and of course I had not. A second communication to the opposing counsel on March 23, 2023 was copied to a misspelled email address so I did not receive it. I was informed of this email on April 6, 2023 when my attorney returned my March 31, 2023 phone call and April 3, 2023 email. I could not believe that it took two weeks to find out about this misdirected email and terminated their services at the end of the phone call. Three hours later the attorney forwarded a copy of her March 23, 2023 email to my correct email to show me that she had sent me a copy on March 23. The March 23 email showed my misspelled email. I emailed my attorney back pointing out the errant email and heard nothing back until March 12 in an email to my correct email address sending the termination letter and final billing and a copy of the check for the remaining balance left of my retainer. Only one problem with the termination letter and check. ..the mailing address had the incorrect street name. Extremely unprofessional and in the end made no progress toward finalizing my divorce at a cost of over $3,700.
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22 Dec, 2022 by Jon janney
Showalter was recommended to me and I hired him in August 2022 to expedite the approvals to begin construction on my home on the Eastern shore. After the initial consultation where he sounded very confident that he could help me, it was next to impossible to get in touch with him. It was to the point that I was calling the office on a daily basis to try to speak with him. On the rare occasions that he did get back to me, he'd say he was working on everything and would be going to the next county meeting to get approvals. After each meeting, I'd check in to see the progress and each time he'd say he missed the meeting and would go to the next one. Finally, I called the county who said nothing had ever been submitted by him and no meetings were set up. I even offered him to drop the case if he was too busy to which he said he could handle it. After four months of being strung along with absolutely no progress, I found a new lawyer who has done more in the two weeks I've been with him.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Elizabeth
Estate Planning with Tim Oursler.
He really helped make the process fairly easy.
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17 Apr, 2023 by Bob tenanty
The firm was highly recommended to represent me in my divorce. My case must have been too small. In the 30 days they represented me the first outgoing letter to the opposing counsel was sent to my son’s email address. He called me and asked if I had gotten it and of course I had not. A second communication to the opposing counsel on March 23, 2023 was copied to a misspelled email address so I did not receive it. I was informed of this email on April 6, 2023 when my attorney returned my March 31, 2023 phone call and April 3, 2023 email. I could not believe that it took two weeks to find out about this misdirected email and terminated their services at the end of the phone call. Three hours later the attorney forwarded a copy of her March 23, 2023 email to my correct email to show me that she had sent me a copy on March 23. The March 23 email showed my misspelled email. I emailed my attorney back pointing out the errant email and heard nothing back until March 12 in an email to my correct email address sending the termination letter and final billing and a copy of the check for the remaining balance left of my retainer. Only one problem with the termination letter and check. ..the mailing address had the incorrect street name. Extremely unprofessional and in the end made no progress toward finalizing my divorce at a cost of over $3,700.
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22 Dec, 2022 by Jon janney
Showalter was recommended to me and I hired him in August 2022 to expedite the approvals to begin construction on my home on the Eastern shore. After the initial consultation where he sounded very confident that he could help me, it was next to impossible to get in touch with him. It was to the point that I was calling the office on a daily basis to try to speak with him. On the rare occasions that he did get back to me, he'd say he was working on everything and would be going to the next county meeting to get approvals. After each meeting, I'd check in to see the progress and each time he'd say he missed the meeting and would go to the next one. Finally, I called the county who said nothing had ever been submitted by him and no meetings were set up. I even offered him to drop the case if he was too busy to which he said he could handle it. After four months of being strung along with absolutely no progress, I found a new lawyer who has done more in the two weeks I've been with him.
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24 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
This firm is underwhelming and amateur. Strip mall office, no real website, and try to argue issues in states they aren’t even licensed in. I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone in the Easton area or Maryland.
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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.
