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21 Nov, 2018 by Shirley
Mr. Nevarrez was hired by me to represent the estate of my mother, in november of 2017. He had me file a civil suit in texas on property she owned as well as change the probate from new mexico to texas. Countless emails and phone calls were made to both Mr. Nevarrez and his paralegal. These calls were unreturned and emails unaswered. The only time it seems I was able to get a hold of him was when I needed to pay him money. We went to court in June of 2018 where he could not even remember the case or the people involved when he got before the 3rd judicial court. the judge was so angry at our unpreparedness that he put a $500,000.00 bond on me as executor and would not honor the civil suit or texas probate change because he said Nevarrez should have known that my mother died in new mexico therefore everything would have to be handled in new mexico. When he filed the civil suit he gave the respondents 30 days to respond , they did not, and called him repeatedly to see what the next step was , he would not return my calls. The last step was when he did not produce the judges orders. I was forced to fire him and hire another attorney.I have asked for my records back since July 29th. I have also asked for a return of at least half of the $11000.00 I paid him , to no avail.
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30 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I understand that she is using her mother's coat tail to establish her clients, but I was very disappointed that I could not get thru past the receptionist. I paid the consultation fee, only to find out what I already knew. Fees are extremely expensive. Comparing this to a really good pair of leather shoes. You know they are good, and will last a long time, but then you see the same pair with a label and you end up paying five times more. If you have the money upfront they will talk to you, but you might be stuck with a pair of over priced leather shoes that pinch more than just your pocket. I was ready to hire the team, but I could not talk to anybody without money. I wanted to pay another $1000, and even then I couldn't speak to anybody. I knew that I wasn't going to be guaranteed a win win case, but I needed answers to some of my painful needs. My desperate actions led me to a different attorney who did answer all my questions. I lost my $250.00 consulting fee.
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19 Mar, 2023 by Nancy
My experience with this attorney was nothing short of a nightmare. This was the second attorney assigned to me from the ambulance chasing Alex Hernandez law firm and he did nothing but lie and ghost, just as the first attorney assigned to me, Rene Zarazua did. Memorize these names and do not use them. Unless you want to just give them your hard earned money and have them do nothing but lie and ghost you. David Leffman was assigned to me after Rene Zarazua lied and ghosted me. I received a fake apology for my experience with Rene and was assigned David Leffman. The first thing he did was lie and say, “I get things done, I will have answers for you within 24 - 48 hours.” That was back in December. I had to write the firm and accuse them if handing me another do nothing ghosting attorney, to which he rapidly called me and lied saying that he had sent me an email with a demand letter. I said, no I received nothing. I am ready to have my computer forensically studied to prove that he is a liar, as I believe he never sent me a letter. So he said, I will resend it and change the supposed dates. Then another month goes by after this supposed letter was sent, to which I send him another email and ask if he has heard anything back from this supposed letter he had claimed to send a month earlier. Nothing but crickets, so I email him, and CC’d Alex Hernandez, and another attorney that had told me earlier, apologetically that my case was being escalated, Dale Slade (Don’t use this liar, Dale Slade either) to inquire why the ghosting again, only to find Alex Hernandez has blocked me, but Dale Slade and David Leffman got my emails, but chose to ghost me. This was not a terribly difficult case, could’ve been solved with a simple letter, but this firm is excellent at taking your money and disappearing and becoming impossible to reach by phone or email. They have a great PR firm that answers the phone sympathetically, but that is all they are as the attorney’s will never get back to you. Even when they say they have marked the message URGENT. I am reporting the Alex Hernandez firm, mr Zarazua and mr Leffman to the Texas bar association as well as the IRS, there is major misappropriations of funds here going on here. And judging by the yelp reviews where they have a generous 1 star rating, this is their MO, take your money, lie and ghost you. I want my money back from this attorney and the do nothing firm. Maybe it’s time for a class action law suit? At any rate, save your money, and don’t use them. The only time they do anything aggressively is relentlessly pursue you for your business, then lie and ghost you.
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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.
