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22 Aug, 2024 by Kirk morcus
Very professional great Communication did a great job highly recommend Brian, honest hard-working got me what I deserved
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13 Jul, 2024 by Eli szorcsik
Brian and Molly are a great team! Couldn’t have made it through the whole process without them. Very knowledgeable would be an understatement. Im very happy with choosing them to help me on my case.
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10 May, 2024 by Troy
Mr. O'Neal seems very knowledgeable, however, my experience was not great. I submitted several documents prior to my first consultation the secretary failed to inform me that a piece of information was crucial in order for Mr. O'Neal to give me precise guidance to MY case. Instead we had a conversation based on GENERAL information. I have since submitted the documents he said he needed to have in order to speak about MY case specifically. I have sent three emails without a response.
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27 Apr, 2015 by Kelley
We have used Michael for almost 20 years for both business and individual. Very are happy with the attention he gives and advise.
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26 Apr, 2015 by Christopher
I reached out to Mr. Presutti several years back; I was going through a divorce and things felt pretty bleak. Even though he did not specialize in family law he let me come in for a consultation, he was patient with me, very professional and thorough and was able to make me feel at ease and well taken care of. He helped me understand the process, the time frames involved, he helped me see “the big picture” and all of a sudden my problems seemed possible to overcome.
Mr. Presutti has returned my phone calls on weekends more than once and he responds to my emails within twenty four hours. He has represented me in a couple of additional Real Estate and Living Trust issues over the years and the results have always been favorable His presentations to the judge were extremely well versed and given in a very strong professional manner, I could clearly see that the Judge respected him greatly.
I feel very comfortable being represented by Mr. Presutti as I know he will fight and succeed in every aspect of the subject at hand, he is an extremely talented attorney, who takes each case to heart.
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22 Jul, 2013 by Jerry
I was searching for an attorney to do some estate planning...but I was concerned about how much my particular situation might cost. Most of the attorneys gave me estimated costs for "typical" wills and trusts, but indicated that exact costs would depend on my particular situation. Michael Presutti was the only attorney that made me an offer over the phone that seemed more than fair. He offered to review my situation, determine what he believed was the best way forward, and to then give me a price to execute that approach....and he did all of this with no up front costs. This enabled me to make an informed "go - no go" decision without having a sizable amount of money already invested in a particular attorney. And his charges were exactly what he agreed to in advance. Further, because of the relationship Michael and I developed during this process, I convinced my parents to have Michael redo their trusts and wills as well. In summary, I'd highly recommend Michael Presutti for estate planning and have the upmost confidence in his integrity and trustworthiness.
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29 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Megan has handled several real estate matters for me. She is honest, prompt and professional. I definitley plan on using her in the future.
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09 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
I can honestly say Megan went so far above and beyond her duties.
She saved a short sale transaction, she did this by going directly to the condominium manager to negotiate a payoff thereby saving the seller in paying 2500.00 in past due fees. The condo attorneys refused to negotiate. Take into account she actually works for the buyer! Amazing job. She showed my sellers attorney what it really takes to be good.
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28 Jun, 2021 by Marina
Attorney Torres helped us with our estate papers. He is honest, reliable and is in consistent in his work. We had a wonderful experience. He even went above and beyond to help us.
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11 Apr, 2024 by Katie smith
Attorney was available upon call!
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06 Mar, 2022 by Aleah hansen
16 Dec, 2021 by Pam
Mr. Leitch is a rare find. He’s an excellent lawyer who has helped us with several legal issues over the years. Always providing excellent service. I strongly recommend having Mr. Leitch review what ever legal needs you have. If it is something he cannot assist with he will give the best advice of what to do or where to go next. He is very personable easy to talk to.
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26 Nov, 2018 by Jen
Ms Claude represented my mother for over 15 years. Her estate planning advice left her heirs in a legal quagmire. What should have been a simple trust is now being litigated by the trustee and the beneficiaries have been left holding the financial bag.
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02 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Damaris helped me with my will about five years ago, so when I was ready to invest in a home for my disabled son, I contacted her. She gave me a free consult, making recommendations. She also gave me a referral for someone knowledgeable about SSDI to help me with setting up an ABLE account or to figure out how to best invest so my disabled son would be cared for when I die.
I will hire her once we get the house to set up a will for my son.
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08 Dec, 2010 by Sherrie
After contacting by phone several attorneys over the legality of issues and how to proceed., one gave me incorrect information regarding the legality of a bogus lien..two were quiet, not knowing any legal precedence, and two approved of the Medicaid fraud committed and the bogus lien.
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21 May, 2024 by Abigail faulkner
Andrew was phenomenal and helpful! One of the best customer service attitudes I’ve seen in a long time.
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06 Mar, 2012 by Terri
I hired Mr.Kaplan to handle a short sale on a property. Mr. Kaplan has the girls in his office handle ALL negotiations (qualified or not). The bank we were dealing with was very uncooperative and in hindsight I believe in part because they always had to deal with a girl in this office (not a para leagal) for all contact. Even when the bank specifically said they did not wish to speak to her anymore, Mr. Kaplan did not return their calls himself. I went into his office and requested Mr. Kaplan to make a phone call personally to the bank, the bank would not talk to his secretary any longer, and he agreed to make the call. Two days later he sent me an email saying that he defers all negotiations in his office to the girls that work for him and he belives that if he personally made a call on my behalf it would not make any difference. Mr. Kaplan had our case for 6 months and NEVER made a single call or represented our case himself - even when he was specifically asked to to so. Do not waste your time with this firm, you think you are paying an attorney to represent you when, in fact, you are just hiring a secretary for representaton.
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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.
