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14 Jan, 2021 by Terrance
Very knowledgeable and thorough in her work. Excellent and highly recommended.
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12 May, 2024 by Aj anthony
Al is an amazing amazing lawyer! and a great guy! ABSOLUTELY THE BEST of the BEST! He is down to earth, professional, very experienced in what he does, definitely TOP knotch. I am beyond greatful that I found Al I am at loss for words with how great this lawyer is. For anyone I’m telling you I would highly highly recommend him. He is also very high class. Very happy thank you Al and all you are doing and have done. GREAT absolutely GREAT.
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11 May, 2024 by Lopez & wallace landscaping llc
Alfred is one of the best lawyers we’ve ever known. When I came to him I was frustrated after hiring another firm initially to file a lien against a former client. After many months of the other attorney asking for money all the time, (even for a phone call to clarify an invoice), not showing progress or honest interest in our case, we decided to switch gears. On our research we spoke to plenty of lawyers and firms, and all we were getting was high retainers and advices to not keep fighting. When we were about to give up we found Alfred and we liked his background and experience so we decided to give him a call. During the phone call he took the time to ask many questions to be able to understand our case and gave us a lot of hope that our case was strong. When explained to him that we have spent a lot already and seemed like we were going to a dead end, he came up with an Incredibly affordable price which clearly he did to helped us get through this, we immediately signed retainer. After Alfred took our case we have been granted all our requests and motions and our case is going to the right direction. His professionalism, attention to detail and excellent litigation skills combined with his good heart makes him the right choice. I highly recommend him to businesses and persons who need to solve any legal matter or need legal Advice.
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04 Apr, 2024 by Samantina zenon
Please do yourself a favor and STAY AWAY from Alfred Constant from Constants Law offices, He is literally a scammer! First red flag is that he uses a personal email. I have never met any attorneys that didn’t have a professional email, he literally using a Gmail account. And then he would always do this evil laughter when I was having a serious discussion about my case, because he knew all along he was scamming me and I trusted him. In addition I paid this man nearly $4K because I was scammed by Google and a company name reckon media, also known as wiki expert, they have been scamming people for more than decade and they have run ADs on many fake websites on Google. Alfred took months to serve them. The first time it was unsuccessful, the second time, I spoke to the scammer myself, I pretended I wanted to use their business and I could only mail them a check for their service. The scammer gave me his actual address. Alfred once again took months to serve him and I had a feeling he reached out to the scammer and told him he was about to get served, because once again serving them the sermon was unsuccessful. And the postal service Alfred used litteraly took 2 months to serve them, which is ridiculous they took that long especially when we were trying to catch them. So now we were only working with Google, we went to court, I tried to give Alfred additional evidence I found about my case, He refused to use it and then the case got dismissed. So I reached out about appealing the case, he of course asked me for money and yes the fee way more then what I already paid. He then revealed to me there was a law that was passed 15-20 years ago that stated if you are scammed by a platform like Google they would not be responsible and the court would ruled in their favor. So I asked him, why would you take on my case If there’s a law that favors them, he said “ I thought we had a good shot”. When I told him as an attorney he should not take on someone’s case if he didn’t feel like it was strong enough, and he literally scammed me. He tried to flabbergasted me as if he was the one who was scammed by the scammer, google and his law firm, and then He hang up on me. Remember Alfred Constant Mother Karma never sleeps! Lastly I want to add, if you are ever looking for anything such as a business on google and it says sponsored, please DO NOT CLICK on it. 10/10 it’s scammers running Ads on google and no google does not verified and there’s a law that favors them. Please don’t be another victim of online scamming.
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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:

  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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