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27 Feb, 2022 by Michele boyd
John Cope is an excellent attorney! He helped a few years ago, would recommend him for all your Real Estate Law needs.
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02 Apr, 2019 by Elizabeth hammer
Last summer I had to find a land title litigation attorney to represent our family in a dispute over ownership of land our family has had since the 1800’s. I had no experience in handling a situation like this and I was terrified for our family! By the grace of God, John Cope was recommended to me by a respected Fort Worth attorney and after meeting with him, most of my worry disappeared! He has been so caring, understanding, informative, and professional! He has the connections and knowledge to get things accomplished where others would fail! What John Cope did for our family was nothing short of a miracle!
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05 Mar, 2019 by Brittney beal
Mr. Cope is highly recommended! His communication with us was excellent and he was very reassuring during our process. He made the process as seamless as possible and went above and beyond. I've dealt with other law firms which seem to put you on the back burner and pass the case off to others in the office, but not Mr. Cope! He makes himself available in a way that you feel you are his only client.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Mary
Ms. Whittaker was so kind and knowledgeable. She helped me through a transfer from another state and change my trust. I am very grateful for everything she did. I wish there were more lawyers like her.
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13 Aug, 2022 by Chuck
Mrs. Whittaker was so helpful and understanding. Quickly put me at ease and built my will. Asked me so many pertinent questions and many I hadn't thought of. So thorough! It was a nice experience and then the price was reasonable. So, I will with joy recommend this law firm to anyone!
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28 Jul, 2022 by Kasia
Working with Kristen was a really great experience. I was nervous about all the red tape required to get a new statement of ownership on a home we recently purchased. Kristen talked me through the process and was very friendly and knowledgeable. She took care of everything and was very communicative and quick. Her work was professional, thorough, and completely worth it! After looking for two months to find someone to help with what we needed, it was such a relief to find Kristen! She took a huge weight off my mind.
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18 Jun, 2014 by Audrey
Attorney Johnson has worked tirelessly to ensure that the terms and conditions of the entertainment agreements for my husband, (who is an up and coming artist), are both fair . As an attorney myself, I'm always very critical of the work product of my fellow colleagues. Fortunately, Attorney Johnson is very timely and has uncanny ability to deal with all types of personalities. Additionally her legal research and writing skills have proved to be a tremendous asset to us as we move forward with my husband's career in the music industry. With technological advances, changes to legislation and ongoing debates regarding intellectual property, royalties, etc it's key to have someone representing who is well versed. Attorney Johnson has proved that she is more than capable for this challenging area of the law and she comes highly recommeneded.
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14 Sep, 2015 by Linda
Mr. John Devoss helped me through my divorce and traffic tickets with the confidence that he would have my back when I needed his help. Thank John!
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12 Sep, 2022 by James
I have known John Cope for over 30 years and have always found him to be truthful and exceptionally talented.
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09 Nov, 2021 by Dan
this was an eviction case that involved tenant declaring bankruptcy. While he eventually got the job done, it was painfully slow and communication was terrible. I can show the email threads that show this should have been completed earlier.
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06 Aug, 2021 by James
i was in a bad way with a very uncooperative tenant whom i had no written agreement and was refusing to leave my house, without an eviction notice.
I was ever willing to get him what he needed in this area and so much more, Girling law firm made sure of that, they took great care of me, from the start, now due to their diligence and skilled personnel, the said tenant is out of my house, and we didn't even have to go to court, so far all that is left is his junk in my house, of which the team has sent him a letter to sign that he has so many days to get it out or lose it, this firm has had my back and i haven't had to worry about anything they communicated with me every time they had a process in the works and not once did they drop the ball. i highly recommend that before you move anyone in your houses or homes at least consult with the Girling law firm they know landlord and homeowner rights and have helped me out of this situation no if ands or buts about it. call them.
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30 Jul, 2021 by Chris
I hired the Girling firm to handle my eviction and unpaid rent case. The matter was prosecuted efficiently and resolved in my favor. It is never inexpensive to hire an attorney - at least a good attorney - and time is money. I feel that Girling's charges were reasonable and that they respected both my time and money. Highly recommend.
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24 Jul, 2021 by Kaye
This attorney, if that's what they call him these days, is a joke. He scams people out their money and doesn't render services at all. Please do your research on this man before giving him your business. He doesn't have a profile pic, an actual business location, a legal website to make payments and so many negative remakes against him. What attorney you know accepts payments through Cash app?? Not one I know but this one, another flag. Beware and don't throw your money away!!
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17 Sep, 2020 by Sheila
This Attorney called me and offered his services as my Attorney asked me for a retainer fee Of 1250 on July 3, 2020 and said he would put his name down as my attorney of record and then he stopped taking my calls and I haven’t heard from him since. He simply committed a crime against me and disappeared when I sent him a certified letter asking for my unearned fees back to the address he has listed with the State Bar of Texas his address is fake. I have written to the Supreme Courts concerning the State Bar for showing him as an Attorney in good standing and they don’t even have a good address for him and also asking that he be disbarred for running scams on the American people some of which are in vulnerable situations and he is using his license to rip us off. I want him stopped and the State Bar investigated for giving him a way to rip us off by giving out false information. Barksdale has problems with integrity and is using the system to get money from clients knowing full well he’s not going to do his job. The State Bar should be held responsible also for giving antyAttorney a way to legally rip us off. If this is happening to anyone other than myself it’s one too many I work for my money and for Barksdale to run. Scam in me legally and get away with it is appalling and he need to be disbarred.
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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.
