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06 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Ken Siemens and his team are the best lawyers in town! Honest, intelligent, hard working and reliable. He truly cares about his clients and has incredibly high ethical standards for himself and his staff. I highly recommend this firm!
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06 Jan, 2023 by Sarah
Ken Siemens is a great attorney. Everyone at the law office is so kind. I highly recommend the law firm.
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29 Sep, 2022 by Lindy
Ken Siemens and all the employees of MTSE were extremely kind, compassionate, and professional for my personal injury case. They were not only concerned with my case but also were helpful when dealing with other aspects of my husband’s injuries. Anytime I had a question or concern, I received prompt, thoughtful and sensible advice. Their actions demonstrated the care and concern they had for what was best for my family. I have all the confidence that Ken and MTSE has the experience, prudence, and wisdom to handle cases like mine.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Sherlyn jurgensen
I have hired Lindsey twice for legal matters and I can not speak highly enough about her. She is both personal and professional. She is prompt to answer questions and resolves issues in a timely manner! You will not be disappointed with the legal representation she provides to her clients!
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08 Jul, 2024 by Jessica johnson
She is such an amazing person!!! She truely is the kindest, most loving, sweet person, and a great attorney!!!! I wish i could give her more than 5 stars!!!!
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29 Jun, 2020 by Marcy
Seth Slayden handled the drafting of our estate plan for my husband and me. He was knowledgeable, kind and considerate. He explained the entire process and sought input from us on what we wanted. He was very professional and the result gave us piece of mind. It was a very positive experience.
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15 Dec, 2023 by Rachel
I hired him to help me with an eviction case. He's currently my attorney for this! He's understanding, caring & takes the time to explain things. He's on top of things when it comes to taking care of business! He's honest & doesn't try to sugar coat things & doesn't just tell you what he thinks you want to hear. He's currently representing & is amazing. I'll leave a follow up review once my case is done but I'm sure he will continue to be wonderful!
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28 Nov, 2023 by In the family “cody dad bub” game captures
Mr Griffe is arrogant and very rude. I would suggest someone that want's to help and not just get his hands on your money. Strongly urge you to search for a better atty other than him.
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28 Apr, 2023 by Richard fulton
Todd is very knowledgeable & helpful. I've used his firm a couple times now, and will definitely use his firm in the future. Todd has incredible patience, but gets the job done quickly & correctly. I definitely recommend Todd Griffee to my friends & family
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15 Dec, 2023 by Rachel
She's a friendly down to earth person. I met with her in regards to an eviction but it wasn't your typical landlord tenant eviction. I hired the same day I met with her. She was understanding & sounded like she was on top of things. Then a situation came about in regards to the eviction causing it to not be just a simple eviction process. I emailed her & then spoke with her on the phone the same day i hired her letting her know of a letter I had received in the mail. She said she needed a little more time then 30 seconds to process everything, which is understandable & she said she would get ahold of me. Days went by & I had emailed her & tried to call her & heard nothing back from her. This went on for a couple weeks at least. I totally get that I wasn't her only client & her time wasn't devoted to only me & that she was probably busy. It just would have been nice if she would have at least emailed me back to let me know she was going to need more time or let me know something instead of leaving me hanging. I finally decided to just ask for my money back. She then emailed letting me know she could mail me a check or i could pick it up! Kinda irritating that she could email for that but not respond with anything to my emails or phone calls. I was really looking forward to her representing me in the beginning because I loved her attitude, ways of thinking & I just felt comfortable with her. She did give me all of my money back without a problem!
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26 Jan, 2023 by Emily
The first time we called she answered the phone with a bad attitude. We hired Diane and asked her to wait on setting court date and sending evictions and she sent them out anyways. We wanted to wait for the abandonment paperwork to work and she did not respect that at all. We talked to her a total of 16 minutes and she charged us $500. Claimed we would get a full refund if we didn’t need her and then she went and made her self needed by doing whatever she wanted anyways and then went back on her word. She is the worst attorney I have ever heard from and I would NOT recommend going through her firm! Even other lawyers called her highly unprofessional because when she was called out she sent very rude emails out to them as well! Seriously don’t waste your time!
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13 Dec, 2021 by Matt
A few years ago, a much younger man attempted to romance-scam my 85-year-old mother and attempted to obtain a POA over her assets. Diane's advice was invaluable and prevented much greater disaster from occurring. She walked me through all the difficult steps to obtain guardianship and stood beside me in those tense moments before the judge. I owe her a very great debt.
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03 Jan, 2017 by Christina carpenter
Called to ask some advice the receptionist was very rude and after I asked if they were immigration attorneys she said no and hung up on me
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16 Feb, 2012 by Art
Mr. Davison has represented us in numerous areas including but not limited to Mergers and Acquisitions, Construction Disputes, Contract Documents and Succession Planning. He has always been very knowlegable of the law and has offered sound legal advise.
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16 Feb, 2012 by Kenney
Mr. Davison is extremely knowledgeable on a broad set of issues. More importantly, when touching on a subject that has not been completely mastered he knows where to go to get or bring the necessary knowledge on board. He anticipates possible sources of surprises well but handles the inevitable ones that arise calmly and professionally. No one will outwork Jeff in preparation or research. I have enjoyed Jeff’s expertise/guidance on a number of land development and construction contract related issues over the past 10+ years.
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29 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Liles accepted my case after our consultation. He was willing to make payment arrangements with me so I was appreciative for that. We agreed $1,500 retainer fee was to be the cost. I made $200 payments bi-weekly until taxes came in. I made 2 payments of $400. Once I got everything paid up Mr. Liles made a order of appearance for me on my case. My case had a year minimum wait before we could go back to change anything. Once time was ready to go back january 2017 I called Me. Liles office every other day. I then started calling weekly up until august. I had multiple left messages, I emailed, I even called his personal phone and did not once get a response from him until august. Just for him to say that he DOESN'T REPRESENT me. He says he didn't have any documentation saying I ever made a payment, or ever starting the payments. He said he would not represent me. That he has other people and other cases to worry about that he didn't have to drop what he was doing just to get back in touch with me. It took me 8 months to get a response. I had receipts but they had gotten stolen when my vehicle did. So Mr. Liles got $1,500 from me for absolutely no work to done in exchange.
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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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