Lawyers map
>247
experienced lawyers
Filter by
09 Jan, 2025 by Laurie swanson
01 Oct, 2024 by Regina zane
The legal services provided to us by Chuck Schuyler and the Schuyler Law Office were excellent, professional and timely. The cost was reasonable in our view and well worth what we paid. In addition, Chuck is a genuinely nice person, he cares about the clients he works for.
Read more
01 Oct, 2024 by Regina
The legal services provided to us by Chuck Schuyler and the Schuyler Law Office were excellent, professional and timely. The cost was reasonable in our view and well worth what we paid. In addition, Chuck is a genuinely nice person, he cares about the clients he works for.
Read more
30 Apr, 2024 by Sobirjon nazriev
Mr. John is not just an attorney, he's a trusted ally who goes above and beyond for his clients. Having relied on his expertise in the past, I can attest to his unwavering dedication and compassionate approach. He doesn't just handle cases, he treats you like family, ensuring every step of the legal process is smooth and stress-free. With John by your side, you're in capable hands
Read more
31 Oct, 2023 by Jimmy
11 Oct, 2023 by Akono hite
Great, fair attorney
Read more
18 Jul, 2024 by Eric holton
16 May, 2024 by David mccrane
11 Sep, 2023 by S.p. a.w.
Wonderful staff and very helpful
Read more
05 Aug, 2020 by Nicole
Michelle is an amazing attorney who helped, and is still helping, with ongoing custody issues. She's has been in my corner since the beginning, and I could not imagine how my situation would be different if she was not leading our ship. She has always been honest with me even if I did not necessarily want to hear what she had to say. I would and do recommend her to others who need similar type of help.
Read more
04 Jan, 2025 by Coco lemmon
Helpful. Insightful. Knowledgeable. Friendly. Direct.
Not a shark; But definitely a relative.
He uses experience + information + discernment to make decisions.
He is personable and down to earth. Gift him with a new shirt and tie and jacket. He deserves to be upgraded.
Read more
20 Dec, 2024 by Hillary houle
I worked with Scott Peterson directly and all my interactions with other staff have been of superior quality. Scott provided astute legal insight and was straightforward about the potential outcomes. He was also very attentive and really partnered with me so that I understood all my opinions and helped me weigh each one.
Read more
18 Dec, 2024 by N w
not responsive. I have zero issues with them not being able to provide the consultation I was referred to them for, but the fact that they had my information for weeks and chose to inform me that they couldn't/wouldn't provide it less than 24hrs before my court date is dismissive, rude, and unprofessional.
Your apologies are appreciated. However, because of this blunder I was forced to appear unprepared, under educated for the issue, and completely unrepresented. Because of these reasons I have found myself in a situation that, I'm certain, would have gone substantially better had I had any sort of knowledgeable legal help. I'm sure, had anyone taken the time to talk to me and take in the facts, you would agree. A phone call and options for how to proceed would go a lot further than an apology.
Read more
29 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
We hired CJ to resolve major home inspection issues. CJ is knowledgeable, easy to contact, and a pleasure to deal with on a personal and professional level. He resolved the case almost exactly in the manner he predicted, and he and his office kept us informed throughout the process. Would highly recommend.
Read more
04 Apr, 2023 by John and janet
CJ provided much needed assistance to hold a building contractor accountable for a disastrous home construction problem. His efforts resulted in getting our earnest money refunded from a very reluctant adversary. He also counseled us against filing a lawsuit given time and money constraints. We appreciated that advice. Would not hesitate to seek his legal advice again if needed.
Read more
04 Apr, 2023 by Carolyn
I consulted with CJ on a complicated work place violence incident. He not only patiently listened, he understood all the nuances of the case and navigated me to the most advantageous course of action. CJ is a very knowledgeable, versatile and dedicated attorney that I highly recommend!
Read more
26 May, 2017 by Nancy m
Great lawyer, good staff, Judges love and respect him. Won us $265,000 in judgments and we were the DEFENDANTS (who counter-sued the bad guys!). Have used him for real estate transactions, easements, etc.
Read more
26 May, 2017 by Michael
My family homesteaded in Montana. We have been here for 7 generations. After retiring from Boeing, I returned to Montana where a group of who I can only call greenie anarchists threatened my life, vandalized my property and sued me multiple times. I hired a number of attorneys to represent me, including some big name types from Montana. Most of them only got my name right on my bill. We (barely) prevailed in the lawsuits filed against us, mostly because of my wife's attention to detail and her amazing memory. I told my wife shortly before we contacted Quentin that we were looking into the abyss. The greenies had forged documents allowing access to our property and after I confronted them with a shotgun had me arrested and charged with 6 felonies (240 years in prison). I have never been in trouble with the law. I held security clearances at the federal level and I was looking at prison for the rest of my life. We then hired Quentin as our previous attorney who told me I was a criminal had quit when I asked that Quentin come on-board. The charges "went away" as what I had done was LEGAL and Quentin pointed that out. The greenies then sued me and my wife. Quentin visited us, spent the night and by morning knew more about my case than I did. He had all the facts and had a response for all of the false accusations. We counter-sued and won over $250,000 in damages (what we asked for) as well as permanent restraining orders against those who sued us. I could not ask for a better attorney AND he is honest. I consider him a rarity in the legal profession, a good, honest, highly competent lawyer. If you are looking for one, look no further, this is the real thing!
Read more
19 May, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Quentin to pursue a claim a negligence claim against a home inspector. Quentin was dogged in pursuit of the inspector, who had left the state, and his insurance company. Through his efforts, I was able to make a full recovery. Quentin only charged me an hourly fee, which ended up costing me much less than a 1/3 or forty percent contingency fee of most other lawyers. I highly recommend Quentin.
Read more
23 Apr, 2021 by Nicole
Greg is an absolutely amazing attorney! He is straightforward, honest and not only extremely intelligent in the legal field but openly helps his clients understand the process as well. Greg is high quality, knowledgable, very responsive and a reasonable attorney who cares about his clients needs. Absolutely recommend!
Read more
26 Feb, 2021 by John velk
Greg is a bright, dedicated and knowledgeable young attorney. I would highly recommend him for anyone that needs a civil litigation specialist.
Read more
07 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Greg was super helpful with connecting me to the right resources for my experience. He has always been knowledgeable of any questions I had and has provided support throughout the process.
Read more
02 Jul, 2015 by Cynthia
We recently developed a trust utilizing Amanda and her colleagues at Hammond Law Group and had a fantastic experience. Amanda understood what we wanted to do from the beginning and made sure everything was covered. She provided timely responses to all our mutiple questions after the first intial visit.
Read more
24 Jun, 2015 by Mary
Amanda was thorough, professional and completely knowledgeable. Years ago, we have had two different wills but this brought us to an new level of understanding and being ready for the future. We feel confident that we have made wise decisions and were led by someone who understands the pitfalls of writing a will and trust.
Read more
01 Jun, 2015 by Edbillig
We have a very blended family. We have 8 children with 2 different mothers and 4 different fathers. We wanted to ensure the children were all taken care of and at the same time preclude any potential conflicts between the children relative to our estate. We also wanted our final wishes to be crystal clear so that the children would not have to struggle with guessing what we would want. Ms. Hunter walked us through every detailed aspect of the complex estate planning process. Amanda identified to us different options for various circumstances, and made sure that every eventuality was addressed. It was a very through process that cause my wife and I to consider many things we would not have otherwise. And, through all of this, everything was explained in clear and plain English and at no time did we appear rushed.
Read more
02 Dec, 2016 by Andrew
Scott was recommended to me by a friend of mine to handle an employment discrimination case. He was considerate and timely in his responses, and he took the time to explain the legal system to me. He also explained potential pitfalls with my case and ways to address them. I have never been in a lawsuit before this, but he showed exceptional patience with my questions, and answered them fully. My case was difficult due to the other parties lawyers acting unprofessionally, but Scott helped me keep my cool when I was getting fed up with the other lawyers. From the beginning he told me that it could be difficult and also set reasonable expectations about what a fair settlement amount would be. I trusted his judgement and it paid off in the end.
Scott is very knowledgeable and actually cares about his clients. He looks out for his clients best interests and is also very fair in his pricing. My family and I are very happy with the way he handled our case and supported us throughout the whole process.
As a side note, my wife was in a car accident recently, and we have already hired Scott again to help with settling that case after her medical treatments.
Read more
29 Mar, 2016 by Tammy
Scott did an awesome job with my divorce/custody case!! He came into my case towards the end of it and kept me well informed throughout the remaining of my case. He is definitely not for the money and was extremely knowledgeable about the facts of law. I would hire him again in a heartbeat!!
Read more
06 Feb, 2015 by L_larsen
Mr. Peterson was amazing through my custody case. He was very attentive to me. He kept me informed throughout my case. In court he represented me well, and didn't stop defending me. He is very knowledgeable , all around spectacular attorney!
Read more
02 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Explained why the specific language in a Quit Claim Deed my family intended to use for transferring ownership to an LLC was incorrect and suggested using a basic Quit Claim Deed instead to avoid problems.
Read more
24 Feb, 2016 by Serenity
Zane is personable, knowledgeable, and a really good attorney. He kept in communication throughout our process and knew what to expect. He was proactive, responsive and kept his fees within our budget. Your case will be in extremely capable hands with Zane Sullivan as your lawyer!
Read more
18 Feb, 2016 by Kara
I would HIGHLY recommend Zane for any real estate representation! He is very responsive to emails and phone calls and I always felt our best interest was at hand. Zane will always be the first person our office turns to!
Read more
16 Dec, 2016 by Nicole
Jim was great to work with. We had a different attorney before him. After six months of that attorney not returning calls or emails, we switched to Jim. Within a week, Jim had researched our case, updated us, and sent out demand letters. He kept us informed of our case's progress and was prompt in responding to phone calls and emails. We would highly recommend him.
Read more
02 Dec, 2016 by Darby
James worked with me on my very first business case and made everything easy to understand and gave me a lot of different options on things that I could do. He made a bad situation a lot better. He was very well informed and made the case a breeze. He definitely made me feel confident in my choices and in the end we won the case.
Read more
25 Nov, 2016 by Carol
I had some time sensitive things that needed to be dealt with in a short period of time. I think Mr. Wilson was a little skeptical at first, if he could get in done in my time frame. He got it done, papers were filed and everything turned out great.
Would I use Mr. Wilson again?? I certainly would. I highly recommend Mr. Wilson.
Read more
19 Nov, 2019 by Dean
Recently completed Estate Planning with Mr. Patrick Beddow that included family ranch property located in Montana and our home in Wyoming. He listened closely and asked pertinent questions so that I soon believed he clearly understood our needs. Relatively quickly he created our Revocable Family Trust and associated Realty Transfer Certificates; and his assistant had the necessary deeds recorded in the appropriate counties. Throughout I felt treated as a person and not merely a client. I wouldn't hesitate to contact him again should need arise. In fact, while the entire process was completed via phone, mail, text and email; I’d enjoy sitting down any afternoon and visiting with him over a beer. An excellent experience. Thank you.
Read more
30 Dec, 2017 by Ron
I researched real estate attorneys in Montana ,we do not live in Montana but do live in a state that Mr Beddow has a license to practice. When I called the firm I was great with a very courtesy professional staff. Mr Beddow listened to what I was interested in and explained the process, and that he would check to see if there were any conflicts etc. not more than a day later I was contacted by this firm, they sent there retainer form and an amount to send for a retainer. I did that and they went to work right away. Stayed in touch and kept us informed . This is important if you do not reside in Montana. I have found it a good experience dealing with all the staff as well as Mr Beddow. I have also found that unlike some lawyers ,that our needs were treated as important to them.
They do bill you but not for every single lil piece of paper and every phone call with in reason. It appears also that they do not waste time trying to get billable hours,Simply put your in good hands and can expect to get what you pay for. A top class honest firm that cares and represents you with professional service . I have felt very comfortable dealing with them long distance.
Read more
18 Nov, 2015 by Christopher
Patrick provided a comprehensive will and power of attorney for me, explaining to me the ins and outs of the process in detail and making sure I was all set. He is an expert in a variety of legal fields and has a great amount of knowledge in his areas of specialty. He comes highly recommended as a professional, thorough, and personable attorney.
Read more
31 Aug, 2023 by Mike and julie
We hired David for a business litigation matter. He knows the law, explains the pros and cons of your case, is always responsive to phone calls, emails, and questions, and writes clear and concise court documents. He works well in adversarial situations, knows how to fight for his clients, is always prepared, and is very professional. He has a level head and works hard. If you need a good lawyer, hire David. We had an excellent outcome.
Read more
21 Jul, 2016 by Darra
Dave is always prompt to answer or return my calls and messages. He is attentive to my concerns and is good at handling all elements of the situation, which greatly relieves my workload and anxiety.
Read more
09 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Steele was engaged to represent me in a complex civil suit. He timely responded to my questions, thoroughly explained my case and it's risks, and was able to achieve an excellent result. I highly recommend his services.
Read more
24 Sep, 2020 by Benjamin
Top-notch law firm! I couldn't be happier with Michael Rabb and his practice. Absolutely incredible service, and a fantastic lawyer. Anyone who needs a lawyer, should definitely reach out to The Rabb Law Firm. Highly Recommended!!
Read more
21 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
Michael was incredibly helpful, listened intently and spoke clearly and directly. He gave me legal perspective and offered general guidance that assisted me in understanding
my situation. I was truly glad I reached out to Avvo and got a chance to speak with Michael.
Read more
13 Apr, 2024 by Angela
Tb not sure. Do I have open civil cases?.
Will you please find out. About unknown cases?
Read more
04 May, 2016 by Tim
It has been very interesting to work with Robert. He has been very professional, informative, and demonstrated that he knows exactly what he is doing while keeping me informed at all times. I would not hesitate to use his services again if the need arose.
Read more
20 Apr, 2017 by Bary
Dave has always done right by me and always looked out for my best interests, He isn't one of those Attorneys that sets back and watches your bill climb without getting results, If Dave thinks you are throwing good money at bad he will look you in your eye and tell you. I used Dave for a divorce and also to draw up some contracts years later. I will absolutely go to Dave for anything I need in the future.
Read more
18 Apr, 2017 by Tammy
Dave is an excellent business lawyer. He helped me with my employee contracts, non-competition agreements, sign zoning, signing ordinates, my will and lease negotiations and drafting. He is efficient, understands exactly what I wanted.
Read more
11 Oct, 2015 by Brian
We hired Stephanie from a recommendation and could not be happier. We had a complex case involving the biggest investment in our lives – our house. Stephanie met with us for a consultation and we were able to discuss all of our options and realistic possible conclusions.
Immediately we were very comfortable with her style and the way that she communicated with us. We felt this was important as we would need to communicate often and there needs to be a strong relationship in place. She is personable and this made us feel confident in hiring her to take on our case.
We were even more impressed with her work ethic as she is very organized and always kept us in the loop for any new developments, information or filings. She also would let us know what she needed from us for the case to move forward. Unlike most attorney experiences we have heard, Stephanie was always in contact with us and quickly got back to us when we called with questions.
Stephanie is intelligent and also diligent in her case law research. We liked that she was able to boil down this legalese into something that she could explain to us in layman terms and not make us feel like she was talking down to us. As said before, this was a complex case and we wanted to understand everything that was going on.
Stephanie is also a very aggressive negotiator and exudes confidence and knowledge – the other attorneys soon learned that she would not be intimidated or bullied into a position that was not favorable to us.
In the end, were were able to reach a settlement with the insurance company that was agreeable to both of us, and a far better position than what they first tried to offer us. My wife and I would highly recommend hiring Stephanie as your attorney.
Read more
05 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
I've seen a few lawyers over the years and I felt of the resolution I was seeking with a business partner that Karl was very efficient with my time. My case did not go into court but I felt his out of court mitigation skills were excellent.
Read more
27 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
We were really impressed with Mark. He went above and beyond for us. His work really shows how genuine of a person he is. I appreciated everything he did for me and for my case, and would not only hire Mr. Buckwalter again, but would definitely recommend him to family or friends.
Read more
07 Sep, 2021 by Seth
Was very thorough in his explanation of my case and with my options. Wasn't afraid to tell me what his opinion was even when he knew it wasn't what I wanted to hear. Talked in detail of every option and was very fair and transparent. Highly recommend Mr. Erickson for any legal needs. Will be using him again.
Read more
20 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Post has been a great asset to our small Arizona contracting business. He has reviewed, advised and represented us on matters that concern our success with the highest of professionalism. We know we can count on him to be a great listener, give prompt and accurate attention to our needs, and represent our best interests at all times. He has always been honest and trustworthy with our concerns that require legal attention. He has demonstrated that he understands business in depth and takes his profession of serving others seriously.
Read more
22 Jan, 2018 by Wyatt
Josh was great, he helped us set up our business entity, make a deal with the previous owner and was willing to answer all our questions. He did everything we needed plus more.
Read more
25 Aug, 2011 by Steve
I had a hidden charge on my credit card for years! Dan got the whole amount refunded with a phone call!
Read more
03 Mar, 2016 by Christine
Mr. Anderson is a very knowledgeable attorney and he explained the legal options and process in plain English to me throughout the course of my case. He was very dedicated to my case as he worked many hours on it as it proceeded through the legal system very slowly. In the end, I received a large settlement. I owe this outcome to Mr. Anderson's excellent legal skills and his perseverance.
Read more
15 Jan, 2022 by Benjamin
Thank you Mr. Dugger!! He was willing to step into my matter and handle it, when others wouldn't. I couldn't be more grateful and I would highly recommend him to anyone!
Read more
27 Sep, 2015 by Michael
She was quite pleasent and on the ball, asking only questions concerning the pproblem,not waisting time.
Unfortunitly she is based in Missoula and the drive up to Kalispell would have cost more then I could afford, otherwise I would have hired her !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read more
14 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
We hired Steve to help with our Wills and Power of Attorney. Not something we were excited about doing, but Steve actually made it very positive and informative and we walked away feeling completely different about having our estate in order. We've hired a number of attorney's of the years, but Steve stands out for his approachable style. Great listener!
Read more
23 Aug, 2024 by Sherra
We did some estate planning with Amy. She made the experience a lot easier than we thought it would be. Never fun having to think about this stuff, but Amy was there 100% if we had questions or concerns. Would definitely recommend Amy!
Read more
18 Jul, 2023 by Becky zimny
Thank you for your help.
Read more
23 Aug, 2020 by Ronald lilley
Connor J. Murphy helped review and recommended modifications fo easement contract for Dry Prairie Rural Water. Gave me peace of mind
Read more
06 Aug, 2018 by Ryan debruycker
We have had nothing but great service and response from Taleff & Murphy when we asked for their services. We will continue to use Taleff & Murphy and highly recommend them.
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in Montana - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Missoula
-
Billings
-
Helena
-
Bozeman
-
Kalispell
-
Great Falls
-
Whitefish
-
Butte
-
Hamilton
-
Polson
-
Dillon
-
Livingston
-
Miles City
-
Anaconda
-
Bigfork
-
Havre
-
Big Sky
-
Columbia Falls
-
Red Lodge
-
Belgrade
-
Sidney
-
Absarokee
-
Ennis
-
Florence
-
Libby
-
Sheridan
-
Clancy
-
Columbus
-
Conrad
-
Cut Bank
-
Glendive
-
Pablo
-
Ronan
-
Columbia Fls
-
East Helena
-
Glasgow
-
Hardin
-
Lolo
-
Malmstrom Afb
-
Mosby
-
Philipsburg
-
Plains
-
Pompeys Pillar
-
Shepherd
-
Thompson Falls
-
Three Forks
-
Victor
-
Wolf Point
-
Alberton
-
Big Sandy
-
BIG TIMBER
-
Boulder
-
Browning
-
Chinook
-
Choteau
-
Corvallis
-
Craig
-
Crow Agency
-
Deer Lodge
-
Ekalaka
-
Essex
-
Fort Harrison
-
GALLATIN GATEWAY
-
Gardiner
-
Harlowton
-
Hot Springs
-
Huson
-
LAKESIDE
-
Laurel
-
Lewistown
-
Manhattan
-
Melville
-
MISOULA
-
Missouka
-
Montana City
-
Plentywood
-
SAINT MARIE
-
SAINT REGIS
-
Scobey
-
SOMERS
-
Stevensville
-
Sula
-
Sweet Grass
-
Twin Bridges
-
Ulm
-
Virginia City
-
White Sulphur Springs
-
Whitehall
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in Montana
-
Business
-
Personal Injury
-
Real Estate
-
Estate Planning
-
Criminal Defense
-
Litigation
-
Family Law
-
Government
-
Insurance
-
Probate
-
Car Accident
-
Civil Rights
-
Tax
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Appeals
-
Workers Compensation
-
Consumer Protection
-
Mediation
-
Wrongful Death
-
Intellectual Property
-
Child Custody
-
Elder Law
-
Trusts
-
Divorce
-
Child Support
-
Bankruptcy
-
Immigration
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Debt Collection
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Employment / Labor
-
Adoption
-
DUI / DWI
-
Foreclosure
-
Federal Crime
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Class Action
-
Discrimination
-
Domestic Violence
-
Entertainment
-
Juvenile Law
-
Sex Crime
-
Construction
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Copyright Application
-
Debt Settlement
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Drug Crime
-
Credit Repair
-
Education Law
-
Life Insurance
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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.
