Lawyers map
>7
experienced lawyers
Filter by
23 Jul, 2024 by Leadership in action
Mason Archie, II served as a 2024 Summer Associate and was wrongfully terminated. The firm has been in existence for over 150 years and attempted to make their first Native American/Black/Latino hire. Their reasoning was that Mason needs "help". This was after Mason requested to attend the NBA National Convention in Las Vegas. The firm approved Mason's work and school schedule, then went on to terminate him for the same scenario that was approved. A civil suit will be filed against CCHA for wrongful termination.
Read more
25 Jun, 2024 by Debra mcmillan mason
Mr. Bruce Bitner incorrectly filed my father's taxes in 2022 after he sold his local Noblesville business after 40 years. My hard working father hired Mr. Bitner to file his taxes, and he reported my dad's business proceeds as capitol gains, thus costing my father thousands of dollars in taxes and hours of his own time getting he and my mom's back pay from social security. When my dad called him out on his error, he insisted he filed it correctly. My dad hired a local accountant for $300 who refiled it CORRECTLY and he got the thousands of dollars owed him in overpaid taxes from both federal and state government. Money he never would have received had be not been more knowledgeable then the attorney he hired. But my father still had to spend hours of his own time getting their social security benefits back to what they were supposed to be due to this gross error. My mother and father got thousands refunded from both the federal and state governments as a result of Mr. Bitner's incompetence and refusal to acknowledge that he made a costly error. My dad has the records (and refunds) to prove it. When he told Mr. Bitner that the local accountant filed it correctly and he got refunds, Mr. Bitner said, "well I could have done that." Good Lord. Does his arrogance know no bounds? He wouldn't even acknowledge to my father that he made a gross error in the first place. When my dad asked for his fees paid to Mr. Bitner to be refunded (plus interest), Brucey actually said, "didn't the government pay you interest?" Degrees do not make people smart, competent nor compassionate. Mr. Bitner now refuses to talk to my father or return repeated phone calls. It's been months. My dad has lost the enjoyment of the almost $3000 they charged him plus all my dad's time and loss of enjoyment of the money he earned by changing tires and towing vehicles for 40 years. My dad and mom are known to many locally in Noblesville as generous, kind, hard-working people. It breaks my heart to see them treated with such disregard by those that are in a position to do financial harm. They both grew up extremely poor and clawed their way to success. My dad retired as a truck driver at 50 years old and bought a Shell franchise. He ran it as Shell gas and service station and later McMillan's Towing and Auto Care. He didn't retire until he was 85 years old. He is now 88. A proud army veteran. And smarter than Mr. Bitner, because if it weren't for him knowing the difference, my mom and dad would be out thousands of dollars and none the wiser. He and my mom have been married for 65 years. It breaks my heart to hear that a local attorney is treating my father this way. My dad had to spend hours on the phone to get his social security benefits restored after Mr. Bitner's incompetence. Please think again before hiring Mr. Bitner or those who think he's worthy of a partnership. God bless people like my parents: honest, hard working, people who treated their hundreds of customers over the years honestly and fairly. I know this rambles a bit, but anyone reading this knows the love a daughter has for her parents. Sincerely, Debbie McMillan Mason
Read more
05 Mar, 2024 by Lori allbright
I am grateful for the time and effort put in by Rachel Woloshin, on my sons personal injury case. Her approach of treating him as an adult and listening to him made a significant difference. Thank you for transforming a difficult situation into a positive one for him. Whenever I require assistance in the future, you and your firm will be my first choice.
Read more
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.
