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29 Dec, 2020 by Chuck reed
Good estate Lawyers, very knowledgeable
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12 Jun, 2019 by Binod acharya
31 Dec, 2017 by Amanda
22 Jul, 2024 by Lilianna palumbo
Kevin Kelly is one of the most personable individuals I have ever met. His consistency in professionalism and knowledge makes you feel secure, knowing that he is doing everything in his power to help you. He responds to emails and texts quickly, and makes sure to reassure you when you don’t understand something. I could not have asked for a better lawyer to handle my case, and he will be the first I call if I ever need help again. I would recommend Kevin Kelly to everyone, he is amazing.
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12 May, 2024 by Gio palumbo
Very professional and knowledgeable, knew exactly how to help my family and a great guy to work with.
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01 Apr, 2022 by Tim lago
Kevin helped me close on a major business transaction. It was complicated, and he always provided insightful guidance through it all.. I can highly recommend him.
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28 Jan, 2024 by Lori
Ms. Babiarz and all her staff are outstanding! They are very caring, go the extra mile and fight for their clients like no other.
From the first day I met with Ms. Babiarz she didn't just treat me like a client, she has treated me like family. I would 100% recommend her!!!
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15 Jan, 2023 by Nevin s
19 Jul, 2022 by Brandon bentley
Chris represents me in family court and I honestly do not believe it would have gone as well as it did without him...and I am father in Tompkins County. Extremely blessed to have him as representation, a hard fighter make no mistake!!!
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17 Jan, 2012 by Michael
Mr. Marcus has advised me about and handled several business and real estate transactions for me over the years. He is always the consummate professional - well versed in the law, diligent about learning the facts, responsible in handling the matter, and thoughtful to keep me informed. He is smart and effective and easy to work with. Hire him with complete confidence.
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06 Feb, 2015 by Greg
Ms. Mazza's law office was one of the ones available through my employer's legal benefit. I had little other information to go on, but I liked the idea of working with a local company that has been here for 3 generations. The experience exceeded my expectations in several ways.
Ms. Mazza was able to schedule me in on relatively short notice before I had to travel for a business trip. She even offered (and managed) to get my will back to me in less than 24 hours, so that I could sign it and have it legal and binding before I went out of the country. She clarified several points about how wills are structured that had been unclear to me, and made several recommendations for "good practice" that fit well with my wishes and needs. I didn't have a chance to test the depth of her knowledge in detail (my only reason for not posting excellent there as well - I simply don't know).
Beyond the will itself, she and the office staff were very friendly and welcoming and made me feel strongly that I had chosen the right place.
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22 Jan, 2010 by Diane
Maura helped with an unemployment dispute. It was a difficult case and one where I had little chance of winning. Maura was easy to work, followed through on her research and filed everything on time. I would hire her again any time.
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30 Oct, 2020 by Billie
Guy Krogh, Partner, at the Thaler & Thaler Law firm in Ithaca, New York has been extremely helpful with legal issues over a period of two years regarding a friend who passed away after a long illness. He took the time to speak with me, both in person and by telephone as issues arose. He provided excellent advice and service. I strongly recommend him as an expert in his legal field.
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31 Jan, 2016 by Joel
David helped handel a complex lawsuit for me. He was always available, supportive, and did a great job. Not only was he a great lawyer and got me out of it, he was a great person and helped me through it.
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20 Feb, 2017 by Donna
We used Adam twice, when we bought our house and when we sold it. He was a great client advocate and even made himself available on off hours to sign documents for my oft-traveling hubby. He was very quick to return calls/emails, etc. and we knew he was solidly on our team.
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21 Nov, 2023 by Mel
Beth represented us in the purchase of a home near Ithaca. We came from out of state and were unfamiliar with the intricacies of purchasing a home in NY. Beth was helped us navigate the contract and was instrumental in moving the process along to preserve our mortgage rate lock. Looking forward to working with Beth in the future for other legal needs.
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30 Jul, 2023 by Anthony arcangeli
Amazing service, very friendly, competitive pricing, hard working, easy to get ahold of. Beth is amazing!! So happy we went with Beth while purchasing our new home.
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13 Feb, 2023 by Shelley perlmutter
Beth Silverberg represented us in the sale of our home. She was knowledgeable, professional and pleasant. Beth was easy to reach, and answered all our questions in a timely manner. I highly recommend Beth Silverberg.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Binod acharya
08 Jul, 2024 by Amanda
08 Jul, 2024 by Chuck reed
Good estate Lawyers, very knowledgeable
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11 Apr, 2024 by Cindy campbell
Carla McKain is the queen of QDRO's! I had a very challenging international divorce across countries and states, involving a known-to-be-difficult organization and an uncooperative ex-husband. Carla was absolutely amazing in her thorough research and planning. I've worked with 5 different attorneys over the past few years and Carla was the best, easiest, and most effective one I've worked with. She listened to every concern and put my mind at ease. All her hard work paid off, and everything progressed smoothly. Carla is a superstar!
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26 Jan, 2022 by Karen logan
If you need a QDRO or DRO (for divorce) this is the lawyer you need to use!!! She is the nicest, fairest most decent lawyer I have dealt with and unfortunately I have had experience with three divorce lawyers for one divorce from HELL. She is very competent and knows her stuff. I wish I could have hired her as my first divorce lawyer. Anyway, I was able to have her fix the DRO even though she's in Ithaca and I'm in the Hudson Valley! We did everything over the phone/ email. So don't let distance sway you. If you have a New York State Retirement or 401k and are getting divorced you need to call her. Don't let your divorce lawyer handle the QDRO because they could screw it up like mine did. Use an expert like Carla.
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13 May, 2020 by Jonsey jones
14 Oct, 2012 by Frank
Mr. Halpin is a true professional. He was upfront and honest with me in all of our dealings. When we needed to communicate, he always made it a point to get back to me in a reasonable amount of time. His office staff was very friendly and polite.
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06 Dec, 2024 by Amanda potter
25 Nov, 2024 by Tanbir ahamed
Mr Fenchel was amazing and you couldn’t ask for better representation. I used his services for a dwi case and he always responded quickly when I had questions or concerns and made sure I understood what was going on every step of the way.
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21 Nov, 2024 by D g
Luke doesn't call himself one, but he is a DWI wizzard. He was my lawyer in Tompkins county. Because of his quick and comprehensive counsel, a felony DWI was resolved as a misdemeanor. As a result of further advice i avoided a single day in jail. While my sobriety and employment certainly was meaningful to the judge and prosecutor, even the district attorney said i was "lucky" to have an attorney who made sure I had this result. The judge too nodded to my sobriety and wished me well, but also mentioned at arraignment that it was only vecaude of Luke that i avoided a felony; he said this counsel was extremely rare, and extremely good.
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25 Jan, 2023 by Marcus smith
03 Nov, 2024 by 連火顧 臺 師 大火顧
19 Sep, 2024 by Sharan garlapati
I left one of my backpacks here. I believe that they discarded it.
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21 Aug, 2024 by María camila ordóñez
15 Nov, 2021 by Victoria boynton
Wonderful attorneys!
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17 Oct, 2021 by Derick cummings
Tells you he will get back to you with answers and then you never get the call back just a bill! Beware!!
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24 Aug, 2021 by Derick & brittany “pax vapor†snyder
Amazing man and ready to help!
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23 Oct, 2024 by Jeff bessmer
We had two issues:
1. We had our closing on our house purchase and our attorney just.. never showed up. We waited 45 minutes and thankfully their team scrambled to have someone else put everything together for us, but we never found out what happened. I hope they were ok!
2. They agreed to pay our taxes as part of escrow, but mistakenly didn't pay it and sent us a check instead. Thankfully they admitted the mistake, but when I asked them to pay the late fee the county charged us they just
...stopped responding.
We won't be working with them again in either personal or business capacity.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Debbie hall-ryan
I would highly recommend this law office. We have used them a couple of times and they are professional, prompt, caring and very helpful. Excellent office.
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24 Jul, 2024 by Loafus crambuckle
Blonde middle aged lady with the bad fake lashes at the front is a major grouch and makes coming here a dreadful experience. I’ll change my review once she’s finally gone. (Which probably won’t take long)
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06 Dec, 2024 by Amanda potter
25 Nov, 2024 by Tanbir ahamed
Mr Fenchel was amazing and you couldn’t ask for better representation. I used his services for a dwi case and he always responded quickly when I had questions or concerns and made sure I understood what was going on every step of the way.
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21 Nov, 2024 by D g
Luke doesn't call himself one, but he is a DWI wizzard. He was my lawyer in Tompkins county. Because of his quick and comprehensive counsel, a felony DWI was resolved as a misdemeanor. As a result of further advice i avoided a single day in jail. While my sobriety and employment certainly was meaningful to the judge and prosecutor, even the district attorney said i was "lucky" to have an attorney who made sure I had this result. The judge too nodded to my sobriety and wished me well, but also mentioned at arraignment that it was only vecaude of Luke that i avoided a felony; he said this counsel was extremely rare, and extremely good.
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08 Jul, 2024 by James weber
08 Jul, 2024 by Brandon bentley
Chris represents me in family court and I honestly do not believe it would have gone as well as it did without him...and I am father in Tompkins County. Extremely blessed to have him as representation, a hard fighter make no mistake!!!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Louann kash
06 Dec, 2024 by Amanda potter
25 Nov, 2024 by Tanbir ahamed
Mr Fenchel was amazing and you couldn’t ask for better representation. I used his services for a dwi case and he always responded quickly when I had questions or concerns and made sure I understood what was going on every step of the way.
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21 Nov, 2024 by D g
Luke doesn't call himself one, but he is a DWI wizzard. He was my lawyer in Tompkins county. Because of his quick and comprehensive counsel, a felony DWI was resolved as a misdemeanor. As a result of further advice i avoided a single day in jail. While my sobriety and employment certainly was meaningful to the judge and prosecutor, even the district attorney said i was "lucky" to have an attorney who made sure I had this result. The judge too nodded to my sobriety and wished me well, but also mentioned at arraignment that it was only vecaude of Luke that i avoided a felony; he said this counsel was extremely rare, and extremely good.
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23 Oct, 2024 by Jeff bessmer
We had two issues:
1. We had our closing on our house purchase and our attorney just.. never showed up. We waited 45 minutes and thankfully their team scrambled to have someone else put everything together for us, but we never found out what happened. I hope they were ok!
2. They agreed to pay our taxes as part of escrow, but mistakenly didn't pay it and sent us a check instead. Thankfully they admitted the mistake, but when I asked them to pay the late fee the county charged us they just
...stopped responding.
We won't be working with them again in either personal or business capacity.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Debbie hall-ryan
I would highly recommend this law office. We have used them a couple of times and they are professional, prompt, caring and very helpful. Excellent office.
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24 Jul, 2024 by Loafus crambuckle
Blonde middle aged lady with the bad fake lashes at the front is a major grouch and makes coming here a dreadful experience. I’ll change my review once she’s finally gone. (Which probably won’t take long)
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21 Nov, 2023 by Carol margolis
03 Feb, 2022 by R.j. calale
Very impersonable.
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06 Dec, 2021 by Michael warren
A very warm and inviting office. Immensely knowledgeable and helpful staff which made my process easier.
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30 Sep, 2018 by Seth
I had a hard time getting a hold of anna as I live in owego. Because of her poor communication I used someone else
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30 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Ms. Smith provided excellent service on a complicated matter that involved myself and 2 other parties. Due to the time sensitivity of the matter Ms. Smith made herself available on very short notice. Due to confidentiality, I can only say that the two other parties used her services but are older / incapacitated and/or not able to post. On behalf of all 3 parties, I have been given permission to post and say that we would use her services again.
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02 Nov, 2014 by Zhallena
Anna Smith is an amazing lawyer. She is easy to talk to, organized, trustworthy and very knowledgeable. She is a breath of fresh air when it comes to working with a lawyer in the Ithaca area. Im thankful to have worked with Anna and I highly recommend her expertise to anyone looking for a lawyer with her experiences.
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21 May, 2024 by Kimberly berry
This guy promised my mom a settlement going on 6 years and he doesn't return calls but he takes your money.
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19 Sep, 2023 by Jonathan fanduiz
Extremely polite and helpful. I’ve called dozens of law offices in the past two days and he was one of very few that returned my call. I was recommended to him and would gladly pass the recommendation on.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Jennifer hubble
Absolutely horrible! Lies, drags things on for years and never even does the job. Not so much as file one piece of paperwork. Just lie after lie.
Every answer is he was just getting ready to file/mail/work on it. Baloney. Never does a thing. Don't bother calling either- he will never return a phone call or answer. Been calling for months and not once has anyone returned a call. Worthless.
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21 May, 2024 by Kimberly berry
This guy promised my mom a settlement going on 6 years and he doesn't return calls but he takes your money.
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19 Sep, 2023 by Jonathan fanduiz
Extremely polite and helpful. I’ve called dozens of law offices in the past two days and he was one of very few that returned my call. I was recommended to him and would gladly pass the recommendation on.
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07 Aug, 2023 by Jennifer hubble
Absolutely horrible! Lies, drags things on for years and never even does the job. Not so much as file one piece of paperwork. Just lie after lie.
Every answer is he was just getting ready to file/mail/work on it. Baloney. Never does a thing. Don't bother calling either- he will never return a phone call or answer. Been calling for months and not once has anyone returned a call. Worthless.
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02 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
He worked with a business owner to re-write an abstract and take from a disabled home owner. He took advantage of that's owners blindness to alter the abstract and sell that altered land to another apartment owner who had no property but the land under that apartment building.
Once the transfer was complete, then his closing papers were given to the blind owner 3 years after the original closing; the business man he represented said he was just holding onto the papers for the blind person, but he intended on altering papers for his greed, and John Aolbanese was more than willing to have his buisness and still holds onto all those papers, including the abstract that never got filed.
Do not do buisness with this man, he has no morals.
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01 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Very slow to respond to phone calls. Incompetent staff. Did not show up on the closing day, instead he sent his assistant 1.5 hrs late. It was very embarrassing and unprofessional.
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17 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Has staff not competent to handle some of the basics--i.e., did not get back to me in time, despite repeated calls on my part, about amount needed to bring to closing (didn't seem to understand the urgency of that); and didn't know how to contact or conduct information to key players (i.e., the mortgage company). Mr. Albanese himself was rude, cavalier, and unhelpful when my closing could not conclude as planned due to lack of timely response from his office and lack of proper flow of information. Had an adverse effect on the sellers as well (who had to postpone their own scheduled closing as a result). When parts of the process still needed to be dealt with, he simply left the sellers and myself on our own, went to lunch, didn't return, and wouldn't take phone calls later. Really turned the closing into a nightmare.
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29 Mar, 2024 by Jamie
My ex-wife and I enlisted Robin to assist with the dissolution of our marriage. We brought documentation that had been the result of our mediation and handed it over per the mediator's instructions. Robin was recommended to us as someone who would work efficiently and take care of the rest of the process for a flat fee. That was not the case. The paperwork returned to us was clearly not prepared by an attorney. We were billed at attorney's rates for barely paralegal work. As a layperson I was able to identify problems with the documents. Whole paragraphs started over mid-sentence. Negotiated provisions from our mediation were missing. It was a mess. Then she literally billed me for her time to answer the question "How much will the rest of this work cost?" We finally walked away and took what she had done to a _FAR_ more reputable firm in Ithaca. Our attorney at that firm initially resisted taking the work because Robin had done such a bad job. That firm required a separate agreement to take on our work that specifically held them harmless from any potential litigation arising from the enforcement of the horrible agreement Robin wrote up. That was nearly 14 years ago. I'm disappointed to see she's still practicing. Run, don't walk, to any other attorney in town.
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28 Aug, 2018 by Barb
Robin handled a possible home purchase. I was young, naive and inexperienced. She barely looked at the purchase agreement, allowed me to put a 5000$ deposit The deal eventually fell thorough and when I asked about the 5000 deposit she shrugged her shoulders. I learned later that if the deal falls through for lack of the ability to finance the deposit should be returned. But the worst part of all was that she and the sellers attorney kept arguing while myself and the seller actually got along. AND she charged me 3000$ for all the phone calls they had arguing about something that was not arguable- I couldn’t get the financing!!!!! Terrible!
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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.
