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05 Dec, 2024 by Baby morgan
Love! Love! Love! Best Lawyer Ever!! 10/10. Highly recommended to anyone & everyone who needs legal help!
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23 May, 2024 by Mary quintanilla
Best attorney out there! For your legal troubles I highly recommend!
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29 Jan, 2024 by Jesus rios
Awesome Team of Attorney's who represented me with Great Professionalism.
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10 Mar, 2023 by Dora odom
I felt really comfortable with this office. Mr Carrillo and his assistant provided me with valuable information over the phone. I will definitely pay them a visit when I am in town.
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19 Sep, 2021 by Techsurge
Very helpful staff and lawyers!
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08 Dec, 2020 by Leonardo arredondo
09 Sep, 2024 by Chelsea maresh
Helped with the mess of my mother dying without a will. Was easy to work with and did a great job! Gave clear direction on what to do and filed forms as needed with the court.
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11 Aug, 2023 by Joe flores
The Zimmerman law firm did a great job educating me and my family on wills, trusts, estates and many other areas of the law. Diane and Clint are both very experienced, thorough and grew up right here in South Texas. 5 stars. Call them for any areas of the law including family, criminal defense, wills, trusts, estates, and guardianships for your loved ones.
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13 Apr, 2023 by Patricia vinton
16 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Hired Zimmerman law firm for my custody case. The first person i spoke to was the office assistant. Explained my case and requested fees. She said Ms Zimmerman was out of town but that she would call her and get back to me soon. She called back stating that could take my case and quoted a fee. It seemed low so i asked what the payments would be. The assistant stated that was the full fee but that if the case turned or more complicate or went of a long time then anticipate i might be asked for then. I paid the fee that day.
I then didnt hear from anyone for always 2 weeks. I was in a panic not knowing if my answer had even been sent to the court. It was dur beginning of Nov. Our first phone appt was set for an evening but ms Zimmerman never called. When i called the office she stated she had forgot and would call me that even. We went over everything and i was advised to start working on my discovery questions.
There was minimal contact between ms Zimmerman and after that. Most correspondence was with the assistant.
I needed to speak directly to ms Zimmerman around Jan and made a few requests over a few days. After about a week she emailed me stating she would not continue to work on my case till i brought my accout current. Stating i had missed 2 monthly payments. What was due was not in the email and since i had never received bill and thought i had paid the entire fee upftont i was cometely confused.
I sent numerous emails, texts, phones and voicemails eventually begging someone to reply to me and jusy tell me how i could get it current. I actually had to contact another attorney to find out what my rights were. She advised me on what to say and do. Once i did that i finally received a response and owe quite a bit more. I had to pay it, we were months into my case.
The process continued on doing discovies ect. In Feb the assistant notifies me of my court date that is set in 36 hrs. Im completely surprised. Hours of calls and text message and i have found out they knew about the court date since Dec. Theyre place was to postpone because they weren't prepared but had learned at the last minute that couldnt happen. My options were court unprepared, enter into an amicus agree that the other side was proposing or fire my attorney and try to start over. Really the only option was the amicus which i was adamantly against. Mr zimmerman called begged me to give them the opportunity to fix everything. They were even going to cover half the amicus costs and let me pay out the rest. They would send paymeny immediately. They said its best to be first one payed.
After the amicus was assigned i didnt talk to my lawyers again. Not until the amicus never reveived payment and came after me 2 months later. My lawfirm mailed an important, time sensitive payment regular mail and never followed up to make sure payment was received. They have nothing to show proof of that first check being sent in Feb.
I have ultimately lost this custody case. My lawyers couldnt be reached the entire day the recommendations came out.
The sent me a detailed explanation of why i lost why i verified thru the amicus was completely false.
And now its been 5 days since i asked for some kind of billing stated on case and still have not received it. Child custody is just too important to deal these kind of issues. Beware of this lawfirm
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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.
