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11 Sep, 2024 by Brad kertis
Mr. Malcolm just had to deal with a case of mine for over 5 years, where most attorneys would have just caved and would have settled for 10% of what I received. My other attorneys just floated my case to him, thinking it wasn't worth their time. Mr. Malcolm had patience and knew that I had been wronged, he fought for my case and eventually got me even more than I had ever expected. I would still trade what I had received to go back in time and delete that day, undo what happened. But Sean Malcolm, his knowledge and his team made my case end with a fair settlement, which I am greatful for. Thank you Sean
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09 Aug, 2024 by Lola bourez
My experience with Sean and Russ was excellent! I originally hired another firm that I found through a google search that was absolutely terrible! I reached out to Malcom Law Firm to see if they had any advice or if this was a normal turn around for the kind of case I had and Sean spoke to me about my case for at least 30 minutes right away! I felt heard and validated throughout the entire process and received regular check-ins from Russ and Sean both giving me updates on my case. They were transparent during the negotiation stage and helped navigate an otherwise frustrating and stressful situation. Sean even checked in after my case was completed to make sure I was doing well and was happy with the outcome! I would absolutely recommend this firm to anyone in need of their services!
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05 Aug, 2024 by Anthony hayward
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30 Mar, 2022 by Saurabh
Shashi was very effective in guiding us through our home insurance claim. She was methodical, provided great legal advice. We were able to claim finances for almost everything which was lost
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06 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
It was a very difficult time for us. Shashi helped us through the legal thickets and we came out well. Thank you Shashi.
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19 Aug, 2020 by Ankit
I had found out about Shashi from the Avvo reviews, and reached out to her for a real estate related help. She simply works magic by comforting her clients to know of what the worst case scenario looks like. In this process, she immediately alleviates the pain that anyone would normally have as they get into situations requiring an attorney's help. I feel that sometimes the mere imagination of the worst case scenario gets us into bad resolutions and this is exactly where a great attorney like Shashi comes to help by giving you a more realistic picture of the impact spectrum.
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22 May, 2019 by Josie
Candace is the best! She helped us through a very long and complicated home buying process, under unique circumstances with seller-financing contracts. Candace had some of the best customer service we have ever experienced. She was so quick to communicate, always kept our best interest in mind, and stayed with us for nearly a year through the process. We would recommend her for anyone going through any kind of real estate transaction. Thanks for all of your help Candace!
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21 Sep, 2017 by Jane
I had the good fortune to working with Candace Wilkerson to handle the worst probate legal case in WA and TX. She was very helpful in handling professionally for the worst recklessness of the heirship battle between heirship member endlessly. It was 3 years ago, but still, I can’t forget about Ms. Candace’s true honesties which hard to find nowadays, especially she was very impressed with her competent profession.I cannot thank her enough for supporting me through a complex process.If you ever need an attorney, I want to work with Candace Wilkerson again. Thank you so much all your excellent help again.
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26 Feb, 2011 by Sarah
Candace has helped me with several family legal matters, and I have found her to be an ethical, experienced and effective attorney, with sincere concern for her clients and their legal needs. She explains legal issues clearly and presents the options objectively, which has helped me to make informed decisions in my best interest. I highly recommend Candace as a personable, able attorney dedicated to the best outcome for her clients.
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07 Jul, 2021 by Jeff
After dealing with a loss in the family I reached out to Rachel to help plan my own estate. Rachel provided an incredible amount of information and walked me though the whole process. She also helped me with other business and estate matters going forward. I cannot stress enough how much I would recommend Rachel and her firm across the board. I have been working with her for years and will continue to recommend her to anyone that will listen!
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15 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Gibbs was truly a godsend. He did exactly what I wanted and went above and beyond!!!
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10 Sep, 2024 by Warren lee
We needed to update our estate docs and went to Amy. She was very responsive, provided detailed feedback, and made the overall process very smooth. We will go back to her again for any future estate planning services.
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16 Jul, 2024 by J rosenbee
Amy was excellent to work with on my will. Very professional and courteous. We were able to work through my details over the phone and through email so that it didn't take precious time out of the day. Highly recommend Amy!
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16 Jul, 2024 by Mahitha aitharaju
Amy and her team were knowledgeable, efficient, courteous and accommodative.
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08 Jan, 2019 by Brenna
We needed some wills and power of attorneys done before the end of the year. She made it really easy and we did not have to come back and forth to the office. She made it quick and easy and we had been putting this off for a while. I would use again. We got it done in less than 3 weeks.
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13 Apr, 2016 by Claire
I had thought that my case was a really typical, standard one- last will and testament, plus health directive. I used Microsoft's ARAG system to find an in-network legal representative and tried this local one in Redmond. The only thing remotely unusual was the fact that I don't have any family or loved ones who are local, they're all in Canada. It's kind of depressing but those are my circumstances. So, okay. I fill out a bunch of paperwork for them. Some questions about my assets, I answer them. There's a good amount of correspondence by e-mail and over the phone. They are rather slow to respond, sometimes over a week for anything. Not even a simple acknowledgement of receiving your mail. But, ok. It is almost time to proceed forward with the signing- only, the paralegal *insisted* I need a representative in the US to complete the paperwork. I was pretty sure I didn't. She said I did. What is a person supposed to do if they're unmarried, no kids, and not close to anyone in the US? Maybe it's not so typical, but surely there must be many people in that category. She said maybe I could do it without one, although she doubted it, and said she'd have to check with the lawyer. After all this, and having already spent a fair bit of time+effort working with them so far, why not wait a little bit longer. I never heard back. 2 months went by. Switched attorneys, got it done the same week.
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19 Dec, 2014 by Shao
My wife and I were looking for a lawyer to draft a simple living will. We went to a bigger law firm and the service was terrible. Then we found Lacey Noel. Lacey was quick to respond over emails and answered questions promptly. I am pleased with her services.
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12 May, 2023 by Jim
I waited weeks to speak to Noel as the "expert" at the firm on real estate issues. I corrected him on at least one point of law and he provided no useful advice at all. Additionally, getting the first appointment was a challenge and then he was busy when our appointment time came up and I had to wait for a new appointment.
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14 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
We hired Noel's firm to help us on a property tax appeal when we felt the value we received was unfairly high. He was assigned to our case to prepare our appeal. I can not recommend him enough. He was incredibly diligent, communicative and very patient with us (this was the first time we had done an appeal and we quite frankly needed a lot of guidance!), and his work was thorough and professional. In the end he prepared an extremely detailed and accurate appeal of why the value assigned to our property was overly inflated, and it resulted in our value being lowered over 20%!! Noel actually predicted the new value that the assessor ended up putting on our house - that further confirmed to me how smart he is and how lucky we were to have him on our team. Would hire him again in a heartbeat if we ever need to go through this process again. Thanks again Noel - really appreciate it.
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27 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
I retained Noel S. Yumo for a real estate and construction dispute with a home builder. Noel was always very professional, trustworthy, and knowledgable. He provided solid, straight talking legal counsel. I appreciated that he offered insightful opinions on the upside and downside (pros and cons) to the legal options I was considering to resolve the construction dispute. I would highly recommend Noel Yumo as legal counsel for any business and / or real estate matters.
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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:

  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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