Best Real Estate lawyers in Huntingburg, IN

1 Real Estate Lawyers in Huntingburg, IN

experienced lawyers

John Elmer Birk

Po Box 136, Huntingburg, IN

Business Estate Planning Insurance +2 +5

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

14 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous

Please read before you hire! Post Divorce- I hired this firm to represent me in my divorce case in 2020 and I couldn't be more dissatisfied with their service. I was assured my case was cut and dried and in the end, it was drug out for over 3 years and I lost everything that was important to me. John failed to get 50/50 custody of my child with 2 GAL reports recommending equal shared custody. The attorney fees I incurred here well over $50,000! I never felt like they had my back, nor felt protected or that they even cared about my situation. When I would try to seek guidance or direction, I never seemed to get a direct or clear answer, which will drive your frustration, then you ask more questions, which will cost you more money. The mistakes that were made on most every filing, I would catch, then be double or triple charged for them to correct. It takes John 2-3 longer than what I would consider normal to comprehend details. While meeting with John to discuss my case or in court, Ive watched him fall asleep right in front of me (not exagerating). I witnessed first hand him yell and talk down to his employees and myself included. He will run your case how he sees fit, if you question him, he will ignore you and not take your calls or threated to withdrawl from your case. I was not informed of my options, then felt misled, then stated I was and I chose not to do this or that. All in all, in my experience, this firm is here to drain as much time and money out of you as possible. Do not make the same mistake I did. Attorneys like this will wreck your life, as if your divorce isn't already hard enough. Post Appeal-While John prides himself on his knowledge of the law. I couldnt disagree more. He cost me several hundred thousand in martial asset, because he didn't include them as the law states. This firm cost me my custody battle, hundreds of thousand in assets, my farm, my business, my personal possessions, and years of my life, while I have now spent over $100,000 in attorney fees. I do not recommend this Firm.

04 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous

He did nothing for me except cause me health issues. Also he gave me another client's information and when I told him I was not confident that he spent $17,000 worth of time on my divorce he actually wanted me to give the evidence of the other client to him. He is worthless as an attorney. I almost died due to his negligence and ended up in the hospital. Also when I brought it to his attention the ex knew the judge and conflict of interest he threatened to fire himself as my attorney. He did nothing to keep me or my children safe. They almost lost their mother due to his negliegence. My best advice is if you hire him, hire him for the opposing party. That is the only way you will get a just and fair representation.

11 May, 2015 by Anonymous

This is the biggest waste of money in my life. After my explanation to him he claimed to be on my side and wanted to take my case. So after the first month I was okay with him and had no issue. Then I got the bill. It started to pile up each month and he was doing less and less. I would pay him a thousand here then there. Then it came time to get dirty and fight and he backed out and told me just to stick with her attorneys proposal. I said no it is not right I want to fight for what is right. It came closer and he kept fighting me on everything. He didn't submit the evidence I had worked for 6 months getting. he didn't submit the proper paper work to the court he didn't even try. It was as if he had never been in a court room or he was really never on my side but there to support them. It was amazingly horrible. He had assured me that he would use the evidence that would have shown the court and judge that they were lying and had no grounds. Just the stuff I did that he assured me was worth it cost over $4000.00. After $8000.00 there was nothing I could do. He actually even threatened to walk out on me the day of the hearing because I was asking him why he didn't do anything he charged me for. Needless to say this guy is a waste of time and money. I could have been in a much better situation if I did it on my own. The judge even told me after the hearing that that the attorney did not go about it the right way and could have prevented a lot of the extra charges if he just would have submitted the documents to the court.

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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.

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.