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15 Dec, 2021 by Crystal
We went to Mark with a lot of questions, he has done extremely well making us feel at ease. He knows what he is doing. He writes letters where needed, makes calls, keeps us well informed. He goes above and beyond ,does what ever it takes in getting the case resolved.
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29 Oct, 2015 by Jim
Mark worked diligently to settle a case that went to mediation for my company. His preparation and knowledge of the case helped save my firm a lot of money.
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02 May, 2011 by Anita
Mark helped me with a discrimination case against a health clinic.
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07 May, 2013 by Anonymous
He handled our estate planning and will. He was kind, helpfull, and took time to answer all our questions. His staff was awesome answering questions we had later, and in a timely manner. I certainly feel it was money well spent speaking with him and his staff and would highly recomend him to anyone.
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02 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Ms. Thorpe tried to try to take the easy way out, tried to talk me into to allowing the opposing party to bully me, and get away with requests that didn't make sense. While she may be knowledgeable in basic legal issues, she will NOT fight for you, would rather fight with you to give in, and doesn't seem to care about your best interest. When I retained new counsel, from out of the area, they saw the glaringly obvious, that there was already an agreement in place and the opposing party had no grounds to ask for more! She treated me like I was not worth her time, talked down to me and made me feel absolutely hopeless.
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25 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
I had a few consultations with other lawyers and wasn't 100% sure about any of them. When it comes to something so important as your child you want to know you did your best to get the best help. I got recommended Amanda by a friend. Within a few minutes of my consultation with Amanda I knew she could help me. My consultation wasn't easy because of what I've been going through. She was understanding, caring, extremely knowledgeable, and very honest with her answers. We aren't finished yet but I'm so very grateful to have her in my corner. I feel way more confident knowing I have her on my side.
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03 Feb, 2021 by Rachaell
Amanda was direct, clear, honest, and thorough. I felt heard, understood, and that I was receiving professional and sound advice. I will certainly seek out Amanda Thorpe for any future legal advice.
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24 Jan, 2018 by Elisha
Chris help me with a big case. He kept me posted the whole way through these past several months. He offered help me with my trust and settled my case also gave and gives the advice he can only give,however I'd tell and recommend ANYONE TO CHRIS CAUBLE. I am forever grateful. Chris is my angel that's a fact. One best humans I've ever in my life met. He makes u feel safe explains himself every clear and end day he is a badd ass attorney. I'm forever grateful.
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24 Oct, 2014 by Lee
I have been extremely pleased with the work Chris Cauble has done for me. He has worked very hard setting up my trust fund and working through my parents very complicated trust. He has kept me informed every step of the way and always explained everything. I will continue to use him in the future, as he has my complete trust.
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27 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Chris Cauble to handle the "Winding-Up" and Splitting Up of a C Corporation Partnership that had been running afoul for over three years. The case turned out to be more than a straight forward deal and involved a corporation, partners, wives, proxies, another LLC and Real Estate to figure out what to do with and how to move forward with. Additional challenges for Chris Cauble was that he had to learn about the complexities of my consulting business and the assets and talents I wanted to keep doing in my new business going forward. Chris took the time to learn my existing business inside and out and understand what my new smaller business (solely owned LLC) was going to pursue, after dissolving of the partnership. I think this single factor of Chris learning what my complex engineering business was and how I wanted move forward after dissolving the partnership, helped Chris achieve the best settlement for me long term. Chris put lots of effort into listening to what I had to say and dealing with each problem along the sometime emotional process of dissolving the partnership, which had gone from Great to a completely dysfunctional business ownership position for me as Co-Owner of the C Corp. Chris achieved good results because he listened to our opinions and took strong positions when the opposing attorney began utilizing last ditch efforts of fabricated issues and a mixture of far fetched mis information to get a bigger piece of the pie. To me Chris' big advantage is that he is very thought out and a logical attorney, that people will listen to and side with. You will find that Chris appears to be silent and quite professional when compared to other attorney's ... But I think I would quantify Chris as More of the "Under handed ,Silent, But Deadly" Type of Lawyer. I plan on utilizing Chris's services completely for my other businesses, estate issues, potential trust formation, and real estate holding companies going forward.
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04 Feb, 2021 by Kimberly
RYAN IS AWESOME and worked diligently on my case. I would highly recommend Ryan
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26 Apr, 2017 by Brian stroud
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25 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
I was so impressed and thankful for Mr. Kirchoff's advice work on my behalf. He was extremely bright, knowledgable and dedicated to reaching the result I wanted and even helped guided me into position for my future financial affairs and ventures. Honest and effective, highly recommended!
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23 Aug, 2021 by Dan
I asked if he takes civil rights cases they wanted to charge me to answer that question that is BS
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04 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
Max Whittington is extremely professional and I would recommend him to everyone. Thank you Max
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15 Oct, 2023 by Dean loyd
I was treated fairly by the district attorney and came to a fair resolution he was honest fair and decent he has my vote
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17 Jun, 2023 by Eno iii kenneth
Great advice they did give me indeed!
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23 Feb, 2023 by Heather
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12 Sep, 2021 by Rose
Was well received by his staff, great attitude, personable, courteous..will fight like hell for your cause , and is reasonable..
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26 Mar, 2020 by Barbara
Beware of this unprofessional attorney. Check his background. He didnt take any notes ... he just wanted to make small talk for the hour. Preparing our simple one page deeds took weeks to complete. Then he charged us almost double what I've paid my retired former attorney. Outrageous!
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28 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr Kelly was very friendly. However I feel he did not provide full and complete details and options regarding my situation. Was advised entire real estate matter would be resolved in 4-5 business day. Paper not filed as advised for over 40+ days. Multiple issues and need for repeat office visits as he "forgot" the situation. Third appointment 2 wks ago, told papers would be filed with the court the next business day. Paper not filed for another 2 weeks. Very unhappy with delay. Price quote changed 3 different times. Does not communicate via email. Hesitates to communicate by phone prefering repeat office visits.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Barb
Contacted through his message center on 1/12/24 and again on 1/16/24. Why have a message center if you are not going to respond? Today is 2/19.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You

A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.

Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.

When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?

Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:

  • Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
  • Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
  • Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
  • Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
  • Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
  • Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.

What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?

A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:

  • Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
  • Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
  • Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
  • Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
  • Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
  • Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.

How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?

Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:

  • Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
  • Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
  • Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.

It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.

How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:

  • Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
  • Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
  • Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.

Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.

Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.

Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.

Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer

Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:

  1. What experience do you have with real estate law?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related.
  2. What is your fee structure?
    Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on.
  3. How long will the process take?
    Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last.
  4. Have you handled cases similar to mine?
    Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case.
  5. Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
    Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities.
  6. Can you provide references?
    Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.

How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer

To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:

  • Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
  • Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
  • Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
  • Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:

  • Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
  • A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
  • Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
  • Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
  • Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.

By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.

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